United Benefit Advisors Insight and Analysis Blog

Recreational cannabis legalization is rolling out across the United States, and many employers are faced with a big, hazy question: how should they address drug testing in the workplace? Eleven states have legalized recreational marijuana and 33 others have legalized medical marijuana. It’s safe to say that in the next few months or years this topic will hit nearly every employer nationally.

We are all familiar with overt biases in the workplace. From off-color jokes to discriminatory hiring practices, the experience of conscious bias is an unfortunate reality for many women and men at all levels of corporate hierarchy.

As summer comes to an end, let’s take a closer look at the nuances of 2019’s pride month. This year, a global conversation around pride-washing or rainbow washing — the practice of businesses making nods to LGBTQIA+ inclusion through marketing efforts or rainbow-infused temporary products but not through actions and policies — also took place.

Were you one of the lucky ones to catch Brené Brown’s keynote at the Society for Human Resource Management Annual Conference? If not, don’t worry. Many HR publications took notes on what this five-time best-selling author, whose most recent TED Talk has 41 million views and climbing, had to say.

In recent decades, a college education has become accessible to more Americans than ever before. Since most families or individuals can’t write a check for a full year’s tuition, student loans are one way to finance that attractive education. Students loans are often touted as “good debt,” worthwhile money spent that, with low interest rates and career advances, can improve credit and long-term earning prospects.