Blogs

Ah, August. That magical time when half the office is on vacation, the other half is trying to remember what their job was before vacation, and HR is quietly bracing for the Q4 storm.  Before performance reviews, PTO panic,…

Catapult Employers Association has a dedicated team of learning facilitators who make sure participants get the most value out of their time in our classes. Anchored by staff facilitators and rounded out by contractors, this team ensures Catapult offers…

In the ever-evolving world of Human Resources, the intent to create fair and consistent policies is admirable, but it can occasionally backfire. A common pitfall many HR professionals face—often with the best intentions—is crafting or amending policies to address…

Managing employee leaves of absence can often be a source of confusion for both employees and employers. This guide provides clear steps to follow, common challenges, and guidance on how to maintain effective communication and compliance throughout the process. …

On June 12, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began emailing termination notices to approximately 530,000 individuals who entered the United States under the parole program for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV). These individuals were informed that…

The Catapult Employers Association has a strong team of experienced HR advisors who work to support our members every day with information and help to make their workdays easier. In addition to providing guidance, the HR Advice team also…

School is out, and summer is here! This means that many of your employees, both parents and non-parents, are planning summer vacations and getaways! Paid time off is a critical part of your total compensation plan and gives employees…

Economic slowdowns. Manufacturing standstills. Hiring freezes. These phrases are showing up more and more in conversations with our members, and for good reason. Across industries, especially in manufacturing-heavy regions like North Carolina, many organizations are facing tough calls about…

Writing job descriptions can take a lot of time. But with Zywave’s tools, HR managers can create clear, helpful job descriptions faster and easier. These tools help companies find the right people for the job and make sure everyone…

Workplace safety is a top concern year-round for employers; however, with summer approaching, this concern is heightened. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 50% – 70% of outdoor fatalities occur within the first few days of working…

Wait, what? I’m sure that title got your attention. Twenty years ago, one article caused quite a stir in the human resources community. The article “Why We Hate HR” was written by Keith Hammond and published in Fast Company…

Under current Virginia law, noncompete agreements are banned for ‘low-wage employees,’ currently defined as those making less than $1463.10 per week.  Effective July 1, 2025, Virginia will prohibit noncompete agreements with ALL employees eligible for overtime pay under the…