Human resources expert explains how to manage All Hallows Eve when it comes to costumes, decorations, and in-office parties

More than 179 million people in America celebrated Halloween last year. With Halloween 2018 quickly approaching, many people are planning their costumes, picking out pumpkins, and otherwise getting excited to celebrate All Hallows Eve…but, how should this topic be approached in the workplace?

“Countless workplaces across the country permit or even encourage Halloween costumes in the office,” says Rob Wilson, human resources expert and President of Employco USA, a national employment-solutions firm. “Some even have costume competitions. Other offices have Halloween parties and put up decorations for the holiday. But, in this day and age, it is crucial to consider how your Halloween costume could impact your employer’s opinion of you, or what legal ramifications these common Halloween practices could pose for employers.”

To that end, workplace expert Rob Wilson has provided the below Do’s and Don’ts for celebrating Halloween in the workplace:

No Drag & No Donald. “Don’t wear any costume which mocks a certain religion, ethnicity, culture, gender or sexual orientation,” says Wilson. “For example, transgender people often find it offensive when cisgender people dress in ‘drag’ because they don’t want their identity to be seen as a joke. And, in our current political climate, it would be a bad idea to show up to the office in a Donald Trump, Christine Blasey Ford, or Bill Cosby costume. Play it safe: don’t dress up as any current celebrities or politicians, and avoid nun costumes, priest costumes, and certainly any costumes which would involve you making yourself over to look like a person of another ethnicity, i.e. “blackface,” or wearing Native American costumes or Geisha costumes if you are not of those ethnic backgrounds.”

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Human resources and leadership expert explains how to fix the Mavericks’ corporate culture

“Shark Tank” star and billionaire Mark Cuban is in hot water after accounts of sexual harassment and violence within the Dallas Mavericks came to light in recent weeks. Although Cuban has faced the charges head on, even going so far as to pledge $10M to domestic violence charities, some question whether Cuban can recover…or, if the Dallas Mavericks’ workplace will ever truly be safe for women.

“It’s easy to understand why women might not want to work for an organization like the Mavericks, or why people would be hesitant to trust Cuban,” says Rob Wilson, human resources expert and President of Employco USA, a national employment-solutions firm. “After all, this abuse went on for years within the Mavericks’ workplace, Cuban’s remorse is obvious, but for the impacted employees, the apologies might feel ‘too little, too late’.”

To this end, Rob Wilson has advice for Mark Cuban and other leaders who might find themselves in a similar situation.

“If your workplace is grappling with allegations of sexual harassment, there are several steps that managers and employers need to take right away,” says Wilson.

The human-resources expert offers these 5 tips below:

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H.R. expert explains new research and how employers should apply it to their workplace

A new study has found something interesting: When employees know how much their boss makes, they work harder as a result. But, other evidence has shown that when employees know how much their colleagues make…they work less hard.

What can explain this difference? And, what does it mean for employers?

“Salary transparency is a complicated issue,” says human resources expert Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA, a employment-solutions firm with locations across the country. “The truth is that there won’t be a one-size-fits-all approach that works for every company, but there are a few basic things that every employer should know.”

First, Wilson says that as this study shows, employees actually like to know that their boss is doing well financially. “If the top tier people are struggling financially, that can make employees insecure and unmotivated,” says Wilson. “Employees want to feel like they are being led by someone who is doing well for himself or herself. This is both aspirational and comforting, as they know that the company is in good hands and has a solid future.”

However, Wilson says that salary transparency among coworkers can become problematic.

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