Blogs

AI and Jobs...What's Next?

By Doug Blizzard posted 9 days ago

For years, labor economists have been warning of a growing shortage of talent that will worsen as we approach 2030 and beyond . By 2030, the number of working-age citizens in the U.S. (ages 15 – 64) will be at the same level it was in 1950 (UN DESA Population Division) . We’ve seen 52 straight years of below replacement birth rates in the U.S. Put simply, there will be fewer humans available to work . While North Carolina enjoys a lot of “in migration” from other states, that flow won’t last forever . F inding talent will be harder, and the graph s only get worse over time . ...

Managing Political Expression in the Workplace

By Breni Malpass posted 22 days ago

A Practical HR Guide to Navigating Free Speech, Conduct, and Company Culture As the U.S. grapples with the aftermath of a divisive election year and global political shifts, political conversations are increasingly spilling into the workplace—and not without consequence. From viral social media posts to heated breakroom debates, employers are facing new challenges in maintaining respectful, legally compliant environments. Here’s a timely guide to help HR leaders and employers navigate political speech at work . 1. What Rights Do Employees Really Have? Let’s start with a common myth: ...

From Ban to Balance: How Employers Can Responsibly Use Non-Competes

By Breni Malpass posted 24 days ago

In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) proposed a sweeping ban on nearly all employee non-compete agreements—a move that could have affected approximately 30 million workers nationwide. However, after facing significant legal challenges and a change in leadership following the 2024 election, the FTC officially dropped its appeal in September 2025, ending the rule and leaving non-competes largely intact at the federal level. What Does This Mean for Employers? Federal Level: Non- compete agreements remain permissible. The FTC will not enforce a blanket ban, but employers should ...

Daylight Savings Time Reminder

By Cindy Satter posted 28 days ago

Daylight savings time ends Sunday, November 2nd, when clocks will “fall back” one hour at 2:00 am. What does this mean for your workplace? Other than some tired employees on Monday morning, if you have third-shift employees, they will work one more hour than normal. The FLSA requires that non-exempt, hourly employees be paid for all hours actually worked.   If your employees normally work an eight-hour shift from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am, then they will work nine hours when they work on November 1 st and 2 nd . The extra hour during the “fall back” must be counted. Employers need to plan ahead and communicate ...

Why Consumer-Driven Accounts Belong in Your 2026 Budget

By Martha Barker posted 10-22-2025

With health insurance costs continuing to rise, employers are looking for ways to help employees manage these expenses without breaking the budget. Based on its 2025 National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans , Mercer projects an average 6.5% increase in total health benefit costs per employee for 2026 — the highest increase since 2010. Offering Consumer-Driven Accounts like Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Dependent Care Accounts (DCA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), and Transit (TRN) benefits is a smart strategy. These accounts not only give employees more control over their out-of-pocket costs but also provide meaningful tax savings for employers. ...

AI Hallucinations in HRIS: Why Verification Matters and How to Keep Your AI on Track

By Karol Dixon posted 10-21-2025

AI is rapidly transforming HR, with 75% of organizations already integrating it into their processes, according to Catapult’s recent survey – AI Utilization in HR Processes and Strategies . However, as adoption grows, so does the risk of errors, making verification essential. When AI systems generate inaccurate or misleading information, known as “AI hallucinations”, HR teams can face anything from incorrect policy guidance to flawed candidate assessments. Addressing these risks up front ensures that the benefits of AI are realized without compromising decision quality or compliance. AI Hallucinations Require HR’s Attention AI hallucinations – when ...

Voting Time in NC and SC

By Breni Malpass posted 10-20-2025

Election Day is coming up on Tuesday, November 4 , and employers should be prepared for requests from employees for time off to vote. There are no regulations that require employers to give time off to vote under federal, NC, or SC laws. Make sure to check other state and local laws that might apply. In most workplaces, employees have time before or after work to vote, but there might be exceptions for employees working an unusual shift; for example, an employee on a 12-hour shift may not be able to vote in person without missing scheduled work time. Employers need to plan and communicate with their supervisors and team ...

How Organizations Are Redefining DEI in 2025

By Karol Dixon posted 10-07-2025

With political shifts and growing public scrutiny , HR leaders are rethinking how they talk about workplace culture. I s it time to move beyond the acro nym “ DEI ” and focus inst ead on the deeper values of inclusion and belonging? Executive Order 14173 – “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” – didn’t change federal law, but it did prompt many employers to reassess their strategies. The result : a shift from identity-based language towards values that resonate more broadly with employees and leadership. At a Glance : ...

Don’t Let Halloween Create a Workplace Nightmare

By Stephanie Dillon posted 09-24-2025

According to Catapult’s 2025 Interaction of Workplace Culture & Employee Engagement , 44% of surveyed organizations utilize team-building activities as part of their employee engagement strategy. This includes workplace social gatherings . There are many ways to have a fun time with Halloween at work without creating a workplace nightmare . Employees can get creative with spooky baked goods ; a favorite i s always the dirt worm cake! Or bring in tasty fall treats, such as pumpkin bread and apple cider. Another fun way to bring employees together is to have contests for the best office ...

Who Moved Breni’s Cheese? A Journey into Facilitation

By Carlie Houchins posted 07-02-2025

The Catapult Employer s 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 facilitates training. They are true multitaskers! Breni Malpass has been with Catapult as a member of the HR Advice team since 2015 . With a background in Industrial and Organizational Psychology (MA, UNC Charlotte) and nearly three decades in the HR field, she is the expert you need. Her expertise is drawn from a variety of industries – tech, insurance, and manufacturing. Breni’s ...

Changes to the Form I-9

By Kevin von der Lippe posted 04-24-2025

Is it the Year of the Chameleon ? With so many changes out of Washington , D . C ., this year, it seems like the compliance world is changing like the chameleon changes color. Like with so many things this year, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has made some adjustments to the Form I-9 . While these adjustments are minor, they do change the form and update the edition date listed to “01/20/25” as the latest release . You can find the latest release on the USCIS webpage: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9 . Interestingly, this new form can be used in conjunction with the old release forms ...

HR Audit Support: Ensure Compliance & Efficiency with Catapult's Expertise

By Kendra Stewart posted 03-27-2025

Performing an HR Audit is essential to ensure an organization's HR policies, practices, and procedures are compliant, efficient, and aligned with business goals. Given the dynamic nature of regulatory changes in today’s fast-changing work environment, an HR audit helps businesses stay competitive, legally compliant, and employee-friendly. But how do you determine if your company is keeping up with employment law changes, adhering to guidance from government agencies, and following best practices ? Even if you have time constraints , and/or specific concerns, you can get help for this. There are numerous benefits to having a 3 rd party complete ...

Streamlining Compliance with Zywave's Multi-State Law Comparison Tool

By Breni Malpass posted 03-26-2025

Operating across state lines introduces complex labor law compliance challenges. Zywave's Multi-State Law Comparison Tool streamlines this process, empowering HR professionals and business owners to navigate diverse regulations effectively. Key Benefits of Zywave's Multi-State Comparison Tool Simplified Side-by-Side Comparisons: Instantly compare state labor laws, eliminating the need for extensive individual research. Centralized Information Hub: Access and download crucial labor law data in one location, saving valuable time. Customizable Comparative Charts: Tailor ...

AI in the Workplace: Where to Start and How It’s Transforming Organizations

By Carlie Houchins posted 03-13-2025

The use of AI in the workplace is rapidly transforming industries and job roles across the globe. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a crucial tool in enhancing productivity, automating repetitive tasks, making informed decisions, and even improving employee experience. Positive Potential: AI can automate routine tasks, provide real-time insights, personalize employee experiences, and improve work-life balance. When applied correctly, AI can empower employees, reduce stress, foster innovation, and improve safety—all of which lead to a more engaged, skilled, and productive workforce. Additionally, AI can enhance organizational growth, ...

Child Care in NC and Employers…A Way Forward

By Doug Blizzard posted 03-06-2025

(from left to right: Gary Salamido, CEO, NC Chamber; Doug Blizzard, Chief Solutions Officer, Catapult; Mike McBrierty, Director of State and Local Government Affairs – South, Biogen; and Ellen Pancoast, Vice President of People Operations, Cone Health) Catapult’s Doug Blizzard recently participated on a Child Care Panel at the NC Child Care Economic Summit, presented in partnership with the NC Department of Commerce, the NC Chamber, NC Child, Child Care Resources Inc., and Invest Early NC. Last year Catapult conducted an employer survey on child care issues to help bring awareness to legislators to the impact child care has on local employers. ...

The Power of Internships: Why & How to Build an Effective Internship Program

By Tara McAlister posted 02-13-2025

The Power of Internships: Why Your Company Needs an Internship Program & How to Build One That Works Internships do more than help students pad their resumes—they give companies a competitive edge in attracting top talent, fostering innovation, and shaping the next generation of leaders. Whether you're a fast-growing startup or an established organization, a well-structured internship program can be a valuable asset with long-term benefits. Why Internship Programs Matter Build a Strong Talent Pipeline Internships offer direct access to emerging professionals who could be your next great hire. Bringing interns on board early helps you shape their ...

Road Map to a Love Contract

By Stephanie Dillon posted 02-04-2025

It happened. You found out two of your employees are madly in love with each other. What should you do? Some situations might lead an organization to consider implementing a “love contract.” A “love contract” is a way to sit down with two employees (individually) in a consensual relationship and go over your Anti-Harassment and Retaliation policy, as well as ensure no conflict of interest is created. This may or may not be necessary depending on your situation. Two co-workers dating and not creating any employee relations issues is not going to rise to the level of needing a “love contract,” an d maybe ...

Microcontent for Workplace Learning: Features, Benefits, and Challenges

By Carlie Houchins posted 01-14-2025

In today’s fast-paced work environment, employees are expected to adapt quickly to new roles, tools, and technologies. Traditional learning models may not always align with the modern learner's needs. Microcontent—small, focused units of learning—has emerged as a solution that offers efficiency and accessibility. What is Microcontent? Microcontent refers to small, digestible units of information designed to address specific learning objectives . These bite-sized pieces are typically delivered through various digital formats such as videos, infographics, quizzes, or short articles. The idea is to provide just-in-time knowledge ...

2025 Business Mileage Rate: Best Practices for HR Professionals

By Stephanie Dillon posted 01-06-2025

Each year, the IRS reviews and typically adjusts the standard mileage rate used by many businesses as a guide in determining mileage reimbursement for employee business-related travel. The 2025 business mileage rate is 70 cents per mile . Employers may  elect  to use the standard mileage rates as released by the IRS, or they may choose to use a different rate. If you choose to use a different rate, consult with a tax professional about any implications . It is important for HR professionals to keep in mind reimbursing for mileage is optional federally and, in most states, including NC and SC. This is ...

How to Lead Through Workplace Conflict: Practical Tips for Managers

By Tracy Mambrino posted 12-02-2024

Conflict is inevitable, and most people dread addressing it. Most would rather avoid conflict than deal with the issue at hand. Why? Because it makes us uncomfortable, stressed, anxious, angry, frustrated, and helpless. These are not particularly good feelings that we care to address straight on. Instead of thinking that conflict is destructive, let's look at how it can be constructive so that we feel comfortable dealing with it in the workplace. As leaders and managers, conflict management involves working together to address everyone's concerns and find a solution. It requires active listening in a disagreement between parties, ...