Employee Experience

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Analyst Insight: Payscale 2025 Salary Budget Survey

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Payscale’s 2025 Salary Budget Survey reveals a cautious pay environment as employers prepare for 2026. Drawing on insights from 1,551 organizations across the U.S., Canada, and beyond, the findings show that salary increase budgets are flattening, even as inflation and wage expectations remain elevated. Payscale’s findings illustrate a shift in the employment landscape. Wage growth between 2021 and 2023 became more cautious, and employers are focusing on controlling costs amid consistently uncertain economic signs. Simultaneously, workers remain highly aware of inflationary pressures and expect wage increases to preserve their purchasing power. The ongoing friction between these forces will shape retention and engagement in 2026. For 2026, U.S. employers project average salary budget increases of 3.5%, slightly lower than the 3.6% they actually granted in 2025. […]

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Guest Podcast: Up Next @ Work, Episode 5 with Dylan Teggart of 3Sixty Insights

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In this episode, Up Next @ Work host Kate Achille sits down with Dylan Teggart, Principal Analyst at 3Sixty Insights, to discuss the state of the employee experience in 2024. Taking a socio-political lens to what’s most often seen as an HR issue, Kate and Dylan consider what factors most influence engagement rates in today’s workplaces and what employers can do to understand and improve the connection to their workforce. This conversation also serves as a preview of Dylan’s forthcoming research on building the employee experience from a workforce management perspective.

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theHRDIRECTOR: Key takeaways from this year’s HR technology conference

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My heart is full and my battery is drained, but in the most beautiful way. Prior to HR Technology Conference, my experience with conferences was from the practioner’s and blogger perspective. I had the opportunity to attend HR Tech as a learner and an analyst in an industry where I’ve been a customer, a decision maker, and a functionality geek. I got to see some amazing people I had not seen in years or even had never met IRL. I’ve always loved learning, attending demos, and seeing how people are looking to solve their business challenges with people tech solutions. It was fun to have the experience of being in HR for 20+ years and now having a different conversation with vendors, finding out from […]

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Winner Takes All: AI, Shareholders & the Future of Work

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Many HR tech companies’ go-to-market strategies are fixated on enhancing employee experience. There’s often a heavy emphasis on frontline efficiency achieved through a bottom-up approach to bolster business. They aim to help employees first, enabling them to be more productive, which in turn benefits the company as a whole. A significant part of this movement is facilitated through the use of AI as a vehicle to accelerate progress. At HR Tech 2025, there was a recurring emphasis on the concept of “human in the loop” — the idea that even with advancements in AI, such as agentic AI, human oversight will always be necessary for its actions. Many business and tech leaders argue that AI is meant to assist, rather than replace, workers. And this […]

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Research Note: Risk to Retention – Background Screening as a Strategy

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Why forward-thinking HR leaders are reimagining background checks with technology to enhance candidate experience, reduce risk, and strengthen employee retention. Executive Summary Background screening has grown to shape candidate experience and signal organizational culture, just as much as it ensures compliance and protects against risk. Having shifted from a mere compliance safeguard to a strategic element of talent management, when done well, screening builds candidate trust, promotes a safe workplace, and enhances employee retention. The future of background screening will be shaped by regulatory expansion, tighter integration of technology, and increasing candidate expectations for fairness and transparency. Companies that strike a balance between compliance and culture, leverage technology without compromising human judgment, and prioritize candidate trust, will not only reduce risk but also gain an […]

Amplify Your Signal with Nicole Roberts

Amplify Your Signal | Nicole Roberts Podcast

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Amplify Your Signal, hosted by Nicole Roberts, is a podcast dedicated to elevating the voices of job seekers, professionals in transition, and individuals navigating career shifts. Each episode dives into the human side of career journeys — beyond résumés and job titles — to explore resilience, determination, and the drive to succeed. Through personal stories, expert interviews, and actionable advice, Nicole gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to pivot careers, embrace change, and find opportunities that align with their passions. Topics range from leveraging LinkedIn and networking to understanding hiring trends, leadership, and the future of work. Whether you’re in between roles, considering a major career move, or simply looking for inspiration to take the next step, Amplify Your Signal offers motivation, […]

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Council Guest Post: HR Transformation – Aligning HR Initiatives with the Organization’s Culture and Values

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A Roadmap to a Harmonious and Productive Transformation Introduction In today’s dynamic and competitive business landscape, organizations are increasingly recognizing the pivotal role of Human Resources (HR) in driving transformation and achieving strategic goals. A critical aspect of successful HR Transformation is aligning HR initiatives with the organization’s culture and values. This alignment ensures that HR policies and practices not only support business objectives but also resonate with employees, fostering a cohesive and engaged workforce. Understanding Organizational Culture Organizational culture is the set of shared beliefs, values, norms, and practices that shape the behavior and interactions of employees within an organization. It is the social glue that binds the organization together and influences how employees perceive their roles, responsibilities, and the link of their role […]

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Payroll’s Role in Trust, Equity, and the Free Market | National Payroll Week 2025

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National Payroll Week (Sept 1–5, 2025), led by PayrollOrg, is all about accurate pay. But it’s also a reminder that payroll is at the heart of employee trust, financial well-being, and the larger economy. Payroll and paying people on time are integral to the national infrastructure. The preliminary 2025 payroll.org survey “Getting Paid in America” provides valuable insights into how employees actually experience payroll today: Direct deposit still dominates. Nearly 93% of respondents said they are paid this way. Despite the hype, payroll cards barely register at 0.58%. Vendors may talk about them, but adoption remains minimal. Accuracy isn’t bulletproof. Three out of five respondents feel “very certain” their pay is correct. But roughly 8%—about 1 in 12 employees—remain less than certain. That doubt is […]

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Case Study: Hosparus Health Gains Efficiency, Elevates Employee Experience Through Dayforce

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Founded over 40 years ago by volunteers to provide hospice and palliative care to children, adults, and veterans in Kentucky and Southern Indiana, Hosparus Health is a nonprofit provider of holistic care, veteran care, lung care management, and pet therapy. Its programs allow older patients to stay in the homes they know and love while receiving care, and younger patients are kept comfortable and free of pain while their families receive much-needed counseling and support. Hosparus Health cannot afford to miss its own mission-driven moments by dealing with time-consuming tasks such as processing payments for its nearly 750 employees across the organization’s nine locations. Lacking the budget of larger for-profit organizations, Hosparus Health sought to invest in an affordable yet capable human resources management solution. […]

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Council Guest Post: HR Transformation – Leveraging Technology for HR Efficiency

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Utilizing HR Tech Such as AI and Analytics for Streamlined Processes Introduction In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, the role of Human Resources (HR) has transcended traditional boundaries. The integration of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and analytics is revolutionizing HR functions, enabling organizations to streamline processes, enhance decision-making, and improve overall efficiency. This article delves into the transformative impact of HR tech, specifically AI and analytics, and how they are reshaping the way HR operates. Rapid Innovations in HR Technology The advent of digital transformation has paved the way for HR technology to become an indispensable part of modern organizations. HR tech encompasses a wide range of tools and solutions designed to automate and optimize various HR functions, from recruitment and onboarding […]

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Workology Article: Q&A With Nicole Roberts

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This interview is part of Workology’s HR spotlight series, where they highlight influential HR leaders who are shaping the future of work through bold ideas and real-world impact. For this post, they spoke with Nicole Roberts, 3Sixty Insights Analyst,  Founder and President of People Solutions Group. Nicole Roberts is an HR strategist, executive advisor, and the Founder and President of People Solutions Group, a consulting and training firm that helps organizations align people practices with business strategy. With more than 20 years of experience spanning high-growth, PE-backed, and mission-driven organizations, she combines strategic foresight, human-centered insight, and practical HR leadership to drive meaningful results. Her expertise includes strategic workforce planning, leadership development, change management, culture transformation, and talent advisory. Nicole is especially skilled in guiding organizations through […]

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Case Study: From CFO to Accidental HR Leader – How isolved Turned One SMB Manager Into a Thriving HR & Payroll Organization

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Introduction Many small and medium-sized businesses depend on their financial leaders to handle HR and other administrative tasks, regardless of their background and expertise. This includes roles like CEO, CFO, and Controller — often ones that have little experience or training in matters related to recruiting, hiring, and managing the workforce, yet oversee the company’s talent acquisition and management. In such situations, the workforce gets short shrift. HR-related issues receive only the time they require, not the time they need. Despite the manager’s best intentions, areas like engagement, workplace culture, and performance management fall by the wayside. Since spending time on HR means less time for budgeting, forecasting, taxes, and compliance, the manager’s core function suffers as well. This can hurt the company, especially as […]

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Video: When Cost-Cutting Kills Customer Experience

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In this video, Nicholas Biron of 3Sixty Insights draws a sharp contrast between the in-store experience of legacy retailers and the seamless efficiency of online shopping. What starts as a simple school shopping trip quickly becomes a lesson in why brick-and-mortar continues to lose ground to Amazon. Nicholas recounts disorganized stores, locked fitting rooms, low inventory, and disengaged employees at Target and Old Navy—problems that echo the decline of Sears. These failures highlight a deeper truth: retail isn’t losing because of Amazon’s prices alone. It’s losing because the customer experience has collapsed.

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Analyst Insight: From HR Burden to Business Growth – Why SMB CFOs Need Modern HR Solutions to Drive Workforce Strategy

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For most small and mid-sized businesses, the idea of having a dedicated Human Resources department, let alone a full-time HR specialist, feels like a luxury. Budgets are tight, margins are slim, and every hire must contribute directly to growth or business operations. That’s certainly not ideal, but it is a reality that forces many business owners to assign HR-related tasks—like payroll, benefits administration, and compliance—to someone who’s already an employee, perhaps the CFO, a trusted financial manager, or even the office administrator. It makes sense: If someone’s already managing the likes of accounts payable, taxes, and budgets, why not have them process payroll and administer benefits as well? But there’s a rub: Such arrangements can burden those involved with responsibilities that are outside their training, […]

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Video: Why Independent Research Creates Defendable Customer Stories

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In this video, Nicholas Biron underscores the real power of independent, third-party research in marketing. While vendors often publish their own case studies, these pieces rarely carry the depth or credibility needed to influence buyers—or withstand scrutiny. Nicholas explains how 3Sixty Insights approaches customer interviews differently: by probing deeper into decision drivers, evaluation processes, and real outcomes. The result is richer, more authentic stories that buyers and participants themselves use to validate choices, showcase investments, and even elevate their personal profiles.