Return to Office, Reduction in Force: HR’s Toughest Balancing Act

There’s a moment every HR professional remembers — that first email, that first conversation, that first tremor in the air when “return to office” stopped being a policy discussion and started being personal. Three years ago, the message was simple: Stay home, stay safe. Now it’s: Come back. And in between, everything about how we work — and what we value — has changed.In this episode of Human Solutions, Pete Wright sits down with AIM HR Solutions’ Tom Jones and Annette Dupree to explore the strange, often uneasy middle ground between flexibility and structure, empathy and compliance. It’s a story about the quiet negotiations happening in every workplace — between leaders trying to rebuild culture and employees trying to preserve the balance they finally found.Annette starts with something deceptively simple: mindset. What if return-to-office isn’t about control, but reconnection? What if the message isn’t we need you here, but we miss you here? From that shift, a thousand possibilities open up — from reimagining flexibility to reframing belonging.Tom, meanwhile, brings the legal lens: what happens when compassion meets compliance? When a doctor’s note becomes a line in the sand? He explains the fine print of the interactive dialogue — that delicate conversation between employee, manager, and HR that determines what’s possible and what isn’t. It’s the kind of process that sounds bureaucratic but, done right, can restore trust instead of eroding it.And then there’s the harder truth: sometimes, it isn’t about coming back. It’s about who comes back. Reductions in force test the soul of an organization. Tom and Annette walk through how to make those decisions — how to document criteria, avoid bias, and resist the all-too-human temptation to let frustration drive strategy. Because when layoffs happen, the work doesn’t end. It shifts.This is an episode about the messy, necessary work of being human at work — and the leaders who try, every day, to get it right. AIM HR Solutions Training CatalogAIM members can reach the HR Helpline at 800-470-6277 or [email protected] for inquiries Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST). Email requests will be responded to within 24 hours. 

We like to think numbers are neutral. Post a range, satisfy a rule, move on. But in practice, a salary range is a story: a public promise about who you are as an employer and how decisions get made when nobody’s in the room. With the October 29 go-live for Massachusetts pay transparency, that story becomes visible. In this conversation, Kyle Pardo and Dan Baker map the terrain employers actually face on deadline day—what must change in your postings and internal moves, what “good-faith” looks like in the real world, and why “set-and-forget” quickly unravels once hiring pressure shows up. Then we zoom out. Because transparency is both a superficial checkbox, and also a organizational mirror. Handle it well and you compress time in your hiring funnel, reduce second-guessing inside teams, and earn the trust that makes retention boring—in the best possible way. Handle it poorly and you invite the kind of quiet churn that never announces itself until it’s expensive. This is a practical briefing—mechanics, messaging, and a short countdown plan—but it’s also an invitation to use a mandate to make your culture sharper, fairer, and easier to believe.Links and NotesPay Transparency from the AG websitePrevious podcast episode on Pay Transparency 101 AIM HR Solutions Training CatalogAIM members can reach the HR Helpline at 800-470-6277 or [email protected] for inquiries Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST). Email requests will be responded to within 24 hours. 

We like to think the workplace is a place of routine—a clock in, clock out kind of world. But for many immigrants, and for the employers who hire them, work has become a legal maze. Today, we look at what it means to operate in the shadow of ICE, to lead in the face of changing rules, and to humanize the labor force behind the policy headlines. Welcome to this special episode of Human Solutions: Simplifying HR for People who Love HR from AIM HR Solutions. I’m Pete Wright, and today, we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood and under-discussed aspects of the American workplace: immigration. Our focus is on just policy, sure. But even more important: it's people. It’s fear. It’s the daily decisions business leaders have to make without a clear map. Joining us to help navigate this are two remarkable experts: Ana Cristina Chavez, Corporate Engagement Specialist at MIRA, and AIM's Senior Vice President Employer Services Terry Cook.Links & NotesGovernor's Office Guidance for Employers Regarding Immigration and Work AuthorizationNew Americans in MassachusettsNational Immigration Law Center • What to Do if Immigration Comes to Your WorkplaceModel Workplace Policy for Responding to Immigration and Customs enforcement • Asian Americans Advancing Justice AIM HR Solutions Training CatalogAIM members can reach the HR Helpline at 800-470-6277 or [email protected] for inquiries Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST). Email requests will be responded to within 24 hours. 

AI is already showing up in HR, whether it’s writing job posts, drafting performance reviews, or powering employee chatbots. But when does it actually help, and when does it cross the line into risk? In this episode of Human Solutions, Pete Wright sits down with Kyle Pardo and Terry Cook to talk through the real-world ways AI is being used in HR today—and the very real challenges it brings with it.Kyle shares where AI shines in everyday workflows—first drafts, checklists, and summarizing feedback—while Terry highlights the legal and ethical traps that can follow, from biased algorithms in recruiting to compliance errors that could land an employer in hot water. Together, they unpack why “human in the loop” isn’t just a catchphrase, but the key to making sure AI adds value without undermining trust.The conversation also digs into guardrails every HR team should be thinking about: data security, identity verification, and building living AI policies that evolve with the technology. Whether you’re experimenting with new tools or worried about shadow AI use in your company, this episode offers a grounded look at how HR leaders can embrace the benefits while avoiding the pitfalls.Links & NotesAIM HR Solutions Training CatalogAIM members can reach the HR Helpline at 800-470-6277 or [email protected] for inquiries Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST). Email requests will be responded to within 24 hours. AIM HR Solutions offers supervisor training and reasonable suspicion training, for more information visit our website at www.AIMHRSolutions.com AIM HR Solutions Training CatalogAIM members can reach the HR Helpline at 800-470-6277 or [email protected] for inquiries Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST). Email requests will be responded to within 24 hours. 

This one’s a little different. You asked what’s keeping you up at night—and Pete, Sarah, and Terry actually answered.From the deceptively simple (Can someone choose unpaid time off?) to the maddeningly vague (How do we roll out new policies when everything’s constantly changing?), Terry Cook brings the practical, and Sarah Piscatelli brings the legal. Together, they walk a clean line between “it depends” and “you’d better document that.”Topics include:Why employees sometimes request unpaid time even when PTO is available—and when you can (and should) say no.What it takes to communicate and track policy changes when your workforce reads less email than your average raccoon.Why shift-based resentment and hybrid friction aren’t just cultural challenges—they’re legal minefields.Plus: clear advice on what tools to use for policy sign-offs (spoiler: DocuSign’s not a bad start), when a bathroom-stall poster isn’t enough, and why “assume goodwill” should probably be in your code of conduct.In classic Human Solutions fashion, it’s fast, useful, and just human enough to make you feel like you’re not alone out there! AIM HR Solutions Training CatalogAIM members can reach the HR Helpline at 800-470-6277 or [email protected] for inquiries Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST). Email requests will be responded to within 24 hours. 

A CEO hosts a party to boost morale—and ends up with a workers’ comp claim. A casual breakroom conversation erupts into political tension. A flexible work request triggers a ripple effect no one saw coming. In this episode, Tom Jones and Steve Pangione of AIM HR Solutions join us to unpack the hidden risks HR professionals face in the name of employee engagement.We explore the legal implications of workplace events, the cultural fallout of unchecked speech, and the delicate art of ADA accommodations in a world that expects flexibility. Tom shares the hard legal lines every organization should understand, while Steve dives into the human side of these challenges: morale, inclusion, and the ever-shifting definition of “reasonable.” If you’ve ever tried to do the right thing and ended up with an HR headache, this one’s for you.Topics Covered:How offsite company events can open the door to legal liabilityWhat “voluntary” really means when leadership gets involvedWhere employee speech is protected—and where it isn’tCoaching managers through sensitive political and cultural conversationsUnderstanding ADA obligations and building a culture of good-faith flexibilityLinks & NotesU.S. Department of Labor – Wage & Hour Division — Guidance on compensation for company-sponsored events and voluntary EEOC – Reasonable Accommodation and Undue Hardship Under the ADA — Clarifies what qualifies as a reasonable accommodation and how to evaluate undue hardshipSHRM – Legal Issues for Company-Sponsored Social Events — Best practices for managing liability, alcohol, and attendance at company outingsEEOC – Harassment and Protected Speech Guidance — Covers legal standards for when speech creates a hostile work environmentSHRM – Political Discussions in the Workplace — Advice for managing political expression and its impact on team dynamics AIM HR Solutions Training CatalogAIM members can reach the HR Helpline at 800-470-6277 or [email protected] for inquiries Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST). Email requests will be responded to within 24 hours. 

When we talk about workplace culture, we often focus on perks—remote work, flexible schedules, and ping-pong tables in the breakroom. But underneath it all, there’s something far more consequential that speaks volumes about what an organization truly values: how openly it talks about pay.Pay transparency has moved from taboo to table stakes. As new laws roll out for us in Mass... and in states beyond... and as employee expectations evolve, you might be feeling pressure to adapt policies, retrain managers, and communicate with clarity—all while maintaining fairness, trust, and compliance. It’s no longer about being reactive; it’s about being strategic.To help us navigate this changing landscape, we’re welcoming back Kyle Pardo, friend of the show and Executive Director at AIM HR Solutions. With over two decades of experience supporting organizations through HR transformation—especially around compensation, compliance, and culture—Kyle is the person we turn to when we need to learn how to make these difficult conversations practical and she’s back with us today to unpack the realities of pay transparency, from practical implementation to culture change. AIM HR Solutions Training CatalogAIM members can reach the HR Helpline at 800-470-6277 or [email protected] for inquiries Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST). Email requests will be responded to within 24 hours. 

There’s a particular moment—somewhere between noticing a scent that shouldn’t be there and sitting someone down to talk about it—that HR becomes more than just policy. It becomes anthropology.This month on Human Solutions, Pete Wright sits down with Terry Cook and Tom Jones for a course in navigating the most uncomfortable corners of professional HR—body odor, domestic violence, and workplace impairment. But this isn’t just an etiquette tutorial for the brave and the nose-sensitive. This is about the human—and legal—implications of what happens when our personal lives collide with professional expectations.How do you handle body odor without turning empathy into accusation? What does it mean when you suspect domestic violence, and the person across the desk trusts you enough to say, “Yes”? And where exactly is the line between suspicion and assumption when you think an employee might be impaired?This is an episode about silence—what it costs to break it, and what it costs when we don’t. It’s about the limits of policy and the power of institutional empathy. And it’s about the people on the other end of the phone—the Terrys and Toms—who make it their job to sit with discomfort long enough to make something useful out of it.Because sometimes, the most powerful tool in your HR arsenal after a good policy is the courage to say, “Let’s talk.”Links & NotesMassachusetts Domestic Violence Leave LawAIM members can reach the HR Helpline at 800-470-6277 or [email protected] for inquiries Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST). Email requests will be responded to within 24 hours. AIM HR Solutions offers supervisor training and reasonable suspicion training, for more information visit our website at www.AIMHRSolutions.com  AIM HR Solutions Training CatalogAIM members can reach the HR Helpline at 800-470-6277 or [email protected] for inquiries Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST). Email requests will be responded to within 24 hours. 

Think about trust. Trust is the invisible currency of the workplace. It’s the unspoken agreement between employer and employee that we’ll act in good faith, that we’re all playing by the same rules. But what happens when that trust is tested?Imagine this: An employee requests bereavement leave, but the employer isn’t sure if the request is genuine. Can they ask for an obituary as proof? Or picture this—an employee hands in a doctor’s note that just doesn’t seem right. Can an employer challenge it? And then there’s the secret recording: a conversation captured without consent, used as evidence in court. In Massachusetts, a two-party consent state, how does that even happen?These are not hypothetical situations. These are real, messy, and sometimes uncomfortable questions that employers face every day. And today, we’re unpacking them.Joining Pete Wright this week are Tom Jones and Terry Cook from AIM HR Solutions. They spend their days in the trenches of workplace policy, helping employers navigate the gray areas of HR with clarity and confidence.In this episode, we’ll explore how businesses can balance compliance, fairness, and trust in the workplace. From bereavement policies to questionable doctor’s notes to the new realities of workplace surveillance, we’re diving into the tough questions—and the answers you need to know.AIM members can reach the HR Helpline at 800-470-6277 or [email protected] for inquiries Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST). Email requests will be responded to within 24 hours.Links & NotesSecret Recording of Supervisor Admissible in Civil CaseAsk the Helpline: Is this doctor's note fake?Sample Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Policy: For employers navigating Massachusetts' Earned Sick Time requirements, this sample policy from the Attorney General’s Office outlines accrual, usage, and documentation rules. Employers should review and tailor it to fit their business needs while ensuring compliance. AIM HR Solutions Training CatalogAIM members can reach the HR Helpline at 800-470-6277 or [email protected] for inquiries Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST). Email requests will be responded to within 24 hours. 

In this episode of Human Solutions, Pete Wright sits down with two seasoned HR professionals—Lucille Ward from Package Steel Systems and Terry Cook from AIM HR Solutions—to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities in human resources for the manufacturing industry.As manufacturing faces a shortage of skilled workers, companies are struggling to find the right talent to fill positions like machinists, welders, electricians, and maintenance personnel. Lucille and Terry dive into the reasons behind this skills gap, including shifts in vocational education and societal pressures pushing students towards four-year degrees.However, as college costs soar and the value of certain degrees comes into question, there may be a pendulum swing back towards vocational training. Lucille shares her company's innovative strategies for recruiting, training, and retaining employees, such as partnering with local organizations, offering on-the-job training, and investing in employee education.The conversation also delves into the importance of workplace culture, particularly the differences between office and factory floor environments. Lucille candidly discusses the daily challenges of managing diverse teams, implementing HR systems, and keeping employees engaged and motivated.Throughout the episode, Pete, Terry, and Lucille explore the evolving landscape of HR in manufacturing, offering insights, anecdotes, and practical advice for companies looking to attract and retain top talent in a competitive industry. Tune in to learn more about the creative solutions and strategies being employed by these HR leaders on the front lines of the manufacturing sector. --Ready to unlock your team's full potential? AIM HR Solutions, rooted in the heart of Massachusetts, brings you tailored coaching and talent development services designed to elevate your business. With our personalized approach, you're not just investing in HR services – you're investing in the growth of yourself and your team. Discover the power of personalized coaching at AIM HR Solutions. Head to AIMHRSolutions.com to learn more and start your journey toward success today.