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Living Wages: Bridging the Gap Between the Cost of Labor and the Cost of Living

pencil with paystub

Living Wages: Bridging the Gap Between the Cost of Labor and the Cost of Living Posted by Olivia Steelman, Compensation Consultant on Monday, December 22, 2025 Tags: Compensation Understanding what it truly means to pay a living wage is more important than ever. As organizations navigate rising costs, tight labor markets, and growing expectations for fair pay,…

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2026 National Business Trends Survey Highlights Employer Resilience Amid Economic Concerns

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2026 National Business Trends Survey Highlights Employer Resilience Amid Economic Concerns Posted by McKenna Arnold, Survey and Research Manager on Monday, December 15, 2025 Tags: Surveys The Employers Associations of America (EAA) has released its 2026 National Business Trends Survey, offering valuable insights into the economic expectations, workforce priorities, and organizational strategies shaping employer decision-making across the…

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Understanding Employee Religious Accommodations Under Federal Law (and What It Means for Oregon & Washington Employers)

prayer hands clasped

Understanding Employee Religious Accommodations Under Federal Law (and What It Means for Oregon & Washington Employers) Posted by Caitlin Egeck, JD, HR and Compliance Manager on Monday, December 8, 2025 Tags: Compliance As religious accommodation requests become more common in today’s workplaces, many employers in Oregon and Washington are left wondering what exactly they’re required to do,…

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Compensation Trends: Balancing Pay, Transparency, and Talent Retention

money balancing on seesaw

Compensation Trends: Balancing Pay, Transparency, and Talent Retention Posted by Lindsay Hill, Director of Compensation Services on Monday, December 1, 2025 Tags: Compensation As organizations plan for 2026, understanding how compensation is evolving has never been more important. This year, compensation is all about balance, managing costs while keeping key talent engaged. Economic pressures continue to shape…

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Beyond the Drama: How to Build a Positive Work Culture That Thrives

team arguing

Beyond the Drama: How to Build a Positive Work Culture That Thrives Posted by Plummer Bailor, MA, Leadership Development Consultant on Monday, November 24, 2025 Tags: Leadership Workplace drama happens everywhere: in meetings, in email threads, and even in casual hallway conversations. It often starts small: a misunderstanding, a missed deadline, or a difference in communication style.…

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New Proposed Rules for Paid Leave Oregon

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New Proposed Rules for Paid Leave Oregon Posted by Cascade Compliance Team, Thursday, November 20, 2025 Tags: Alert, Leave Laws Paid Leave Oregon has proposed new administrative rules that will clarify the amount of leave available for pre-placement leave, repeal the job protection section of the administrative rules, and change employee notification requirements for intermittent leave. The…

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Rethinking Performance Reviews: Turning a Check-the-Box Task into a Meaningful Conversation

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Rethinking Performance Reviews: Turning a Check-the-Box Task into a Meaningful Conversation Posted by Margaret Oglesby, Compensation Consultant on Monday, November 10, 2025 Tags: Performance Management Despite the time and effort organizations dedicate to performance reviews, few believe they truly work. Leaders and employees alike are skeptical of their impact. In fact, according to a Gallup study, just…

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Building Performance Through Feedback

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Building Performance Through Feedback Posted by Trudy Hylemon, ODCP, PHR, Senior HR and Leadership Consultant on Monday, November 3, 2025 Tags: Performance Management If you’re a supervisor, you’ve probably had that moment when you notice something in an employee’s work that needs improvement, but you hesitate to give feedback. What if they take it the wrong way? What…

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Why Developing a Job Leveling System is Worthwhile

recruiting technology

Why Developing a Job Leveling System is Worthwhile Posted by Olivia Steelman, Compensation Consultant on Monday, October 27, 2025 Tags: Leadership Division of Labor and Growing Pains Organizations aren’t born into existence as large and complex constellations of purpose, people, processes, and projects. They often start small, with the seed of an idea which is then tended…

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Cut Costs, Not Coverage: Association Health Plans for Oregon Small Employers

healthcare blocks

Cut Costs, Not Coverage: Association Health Plans for Oregon Small Employers Posted by Gayle Gilham, President on Monday, October 20, 2025 Tags: Employee Benefits Small Businesses Deserve Better Options for Employee Benefits If you’re a small business owner, you know that shopping for employee health insurance can feel like an uphill climb. Premiums go up year after…

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Why Fall 2025 Feels Different for Employers — And What You Can Do About It

oregon fall leaves

Why Fall 2025 Feels Different for Employers — And What You Can Do About It Posted by Jenna Reed, Senior Vice President and General Counsel on Monday, October 13, 2025 Tags: Leadership It’s not just the leaves changing this fall; business and workplace environments are also experiencing change at a faster pace than normal. We know you’re…

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