Diversion and Inclusion (D & I) have been the topic for HR managers for a few years now.  The truth is, diversity and inclusion is helpful to the business as a whole, not only as a human resources policy. In 2015, the U.S. Census reported that, for the first time in history, a majority of children (50.2%) under age 5 were considered part of an ethnic group or a minority race. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in 2018 that 83.9 % of chief executives were white males.  There simply is no reason not to include diversity and inclusion in your business to better reflect your customers and the changing population of the country.

Here's how HR affects diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Tis the season of gratitude and service and your employees are looking forward to the break. As an employer, there are a multitude of ways to say thank you. Science has proven that gratitude and sincere acknowledgment improves lives and self-care in a stressful work environment. As an HR professional, you can also help encourage a culture of thankfulness and praise.

Here are four ways that HR can show gratitude to employees.

"We're very impressed with your skill set and are happy to offer you the job.... pending a background check investigation."

Even to those with nothing to hide, the second part of that sentence can shatter nerves of steel for job seekers. They wonder, "What will they find?" And, "Have I done anything wrong that I can't recall?" Or "What about that one mistake I made in college?"

Your recruiting and hiring staff can help ease these fears when running employment background checks.

Many employers will require a new hire to take a pre-employment drug test. Some employers may also require random drug testing during the employee's tenure with the company, especially if there is some suspicion of drug usage or the usage can affect the employee's ability to perform their job. What happens when an employee or new hire fails a drug test? It really depends on the situation.

Here are some examples of what could happen next.

It's vital for HR managers to understand the changes happening in hiring and employment so they can attract and retain the best talent and remain compliant with state and federal laws. 2018 and the few years prior have seen a push for reduced bias, equal pay and more demands from a younger workforce. These changes continue to affect not only how to hire, but how to retain current employees, as well as legislative response with new employment laws.

Here's what employers can expect in hiring trends and employment legislation in 2019.

The #MeToo movement may be affecting the annual company holiday party tradition, according to a recent study quoted on HRDive. Even though consumer and corporate confidence in the economy is higher than last year, the amount of companies planning to host a holiday party is as low as it was in 2009. The reason? Alcohol, the potential for inappropriate behavior and the liability of the HR department and the company throwing the shindig. While 57% of employees have seen their co-workers drunk, many businesses are considering a way to make the annual gathering less...wild.

Should your company have a holiday party? Let's offer some ideas to avoid bad behavior.

Nearly three quarters of employers run background screens on employment applicants. While it is assumed that employers are looking for criminal records, a Reddit thread about background checks uncovered plenty of other valuable and available information to determine if the applicant is a good fit. Those who fit well, perform better and stick around longer, reducing turnover costs and the risk of low morale.

Employers may be closely reviewing background check information to help improve or maintain a positive workplace culture.

Unfortunately, both small-to-medium and enterprise businesses are prone to fraud and the 2018 Global Study on Occupational Fraud and Abuse dives deeper into the reasons why. The study looked at over 2,000 cases of occupational fraud reported over the previous two years, in 125 countries and in 23 industries. The most common fraud scheme was corruption among the executives and employees within an organization. Surprisingly, a few simple practices could minimize the risk of fraudulent activities.

Here are best practices for businesses of all sizes to reduce occupational fraud.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has been quite busy this year including last week's lawsuits against seven employers for allegations of workplace harassment. This week, more lawsuits have been filed, including one against Grand Hyatt for disability discrimination and one against a Georgia restaurant for pregnancy discrimination. Employers are wise to examine these cases closely to ensure compliance with EEOC regulations. 

Let's take a closer look at some of the EEOC lawsuits and how employers should comply.

Since entering the workforce as a teenager, I've made friends, built lifelong relationships, and in many cases, been the only female in the workplace. Most of the time, I felt respected and treated equally. I've also had my fair share of wage gap disputes, gender bias, and managerial comments that I am certain weren't made to my male colleagues. I can also unfortunately say #MeToo.

Employers, you can do something about sexual harassment. You can create a safer and more dignified workplace with just a few changes.