Difficult conversations at work don't have to go sideways. In this video, Claudia St. John, founder and CEO of The Workplace Advisors, shares the FRIEND method: a six-step framework for navigating critical conversations with employees, coworkers, and leaders.

Why are these conversations so hard? Usually because three things are true: the stakes are high, opinions differ, and the outcome is uncertain. The FRIEND method gives you a roadmap:

🔹 F — Find your due north: know the outcome you want before you start

🔹 R — Ready your emotions: don't go in hot

🔹 I — Inspect your stories: the narrative in your head is one you made up

🔹 E — Establish safety: the right time, place, and people

🔹 N — Navigate their stories: ask probing questions and truly listen

🔹 D — Develop common ground: agree on what happens next

Whether you're an HR professional mediating conflict or a manager facing a tough one-on-one, this framework helps you stay grounded and get to a real resolution.
The Workplace Advisors partners with small and mid-sized businesses on all things workplace: HR support, conflict mediation, recruiting, training, and compliance.

Connect with us!
___________________________________________
E-mail:
hello@theworkplaceadvisors.com

___________________________________________
Website:
http://www.theworkplaceadvisors.com

___________________________________________
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiastjohn/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/theworkplaceadvisors

___________________________________________
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When an employee passes away, most HR teams know the process: contacting the family, reconciling benefits, handling the administrative details.

But what about everyone else? How does the rest of the team grieve?

In this video, Claudia St. John, founder and CEO of The Workplace Advisors, shares what she's learned from employers navigating the loss of a colleague and why supporting workplace grief is one of the most important things a leader can do.

She covers:
🔹 Why grief at work isn't linear

🔹 Why talking about the person you lost builds community and healing

🔹 How leaders set the tone

How an organization handles these transitions says a lot about who it is. If you're facing a difficult situation like this and need someone to talk it through with, we're here.
The Workplace Advisors partners with small and mid-sized businesses on all things workplace: HR support, conflict mediation, recruiting, training, and compliance.

Connect with us!
___________________________________________
E-mail:
hello@theworkplaceadvisors.com

___________________________________________
Website:
http://www.theworkplaceadvisors.com

___________________________________________
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiastjohn/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/theworkplaceadvisors

___________________________________________
Want more HR Minute Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBuCma_pb3Y5ow6y_se-L4XKRIFjkLv-o

Are employee pay raises actually keeping up with inflation in 2026? Claudia St. John, Founder & CEO of The Workplace Advisors, shares an early look at the trends every employer should be watching.

Ahead of our semi-annual Labor Market Survey Report, Claudia breaks down where compensation, benefits, and hiring are heading this year, and what it means for your workforce strategy.

In this update:

• Why pay increases are landing around 3.5% — down from the Great Resignation's 5–6%
• How high inflation is quietly eroding the value of those raises
• Why more employers are turning to variable pay: spot, annual, and performance bonuses
• The growing shift toward enriching benefits instead of base pay
• What employees want most right now: stability and job security
• Why the widely forecast layoffs haven't materialized outside of IT, high-tech, and banking
• How a compensation analysis tells you whether you're competitive in your market and geography

Whether you're at the 75th percentile or the 30th, there are smart ways to attract and keep great people. Let's talk through yours.

Want a compensation check-in? Email us: hello@theworkplaceadvisors.com

Learn more: https://www.theworkplaceadvisors.com

Connect with us!
___________________________________________
E-mail:
claudia@theworkplaceadvisors.com

___________________________________________
Website:
http://www.theworkplaceadvisors.com

___________________________________________
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiastjohn/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/theworkplaceadvisors

___________________________________________
Want more HR Minute Videos:
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When an experienced employee starts under-performing, most leaders ask: "What's wrong with them?"

But that's the wrong question.

In this video, Claudia St. John shares a real client story about a CFO who was ready to give up on her new accountant — until one question changed everything. It's a powerful reminder of how empathy and active listening can rescue a struggling hire, repair a damaged working relationship, and save your team from unnecessary turnover.

You'll learn:
✅ Why "difficult" employees are often struggling employees
✅ The one question that shifts your perspective as a leader
✅ How active listening rebuilds trust on your team
✅ Why people quit managers, not jobs

📌 Need help navigating a workplace challenge like this one? Our HR Support Plan gives you a trusted HR advisor on call for $189/month.

🔗 Learn more: https://theworkplaceadvisors.com/hrsupportplan/
📧 Reach out: hello@theworkplaceadvisors.com

About The Workplace Advisors:
The Workplace Advisors is a national HR consulting firm providing fractional, relationship-driven HR support to businesses of all sizes. We combine compliance, recruiting, and employee development into one accessible, affordable solution — so you get the expertise of a full HR team without hiring one.

Connect with us!
___________________________________________
E-mail:
claudia@theworkplaceadvisors.com

___________________________________________
Website:
http://www.theworkplaceadvisors.com

___________________________________________
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiastjohn/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/theworkplaceadvisors

___________________________________________
Want more HR Minute Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBuCma_pb3Y5ow6y_se-L4XKRIFjkLv-o

Think “employment at-will” means you can fire anyone, anytime, for any reason? Not exactly.

In this video, Claudia St. John breaks down what employment at-will actually means and, more importantly, where employers get into trouble.

From protected classes and retaliation risks to how your own handbook language could unintentionally limit your rights, this is a must-watch for any business owner or leader managing employees.

💡 You’ll learn:
- What employment at-will really allows (and doesn’t)
- When termination decisions can create legal risk
- How your handbook, policies, and even emails can override at-will status
- Why “for cause” language can work against you

👉 Need help reviewing your handbook or navigating a tricky employee situation?
Our team can help. Learn more about our HR Support Plan and compliance services here: http://www.theworkplaceadvisors.com.

Connect with us!
___________________________________________
E-mail:
claudia@theworkplaceadvisors.com

___________________________________________
Website:
http://www.theworkplaceadvisors.com

___________________________________________
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiastjohn/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/theworkplaceadvisors

___________________________________________
Want more HR Minute Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBuCma_pb3Y5ow6y_se-L4XKRIFjkLv-o

Are annual performance reviews actually helping your team or holding them back?

In this video, Claudia St. John shares why traditional once-a-year reviews often fall short and what high-performing organizations are doing instead.

If your team feels disconnected, goals go stale, or feedback comes too late to matter, it might be time to rethink your approach.

💡 In this video, you’ll learn:
- Why annual reviews create recency bias
- The ideal cadence for meaningful performance conversations
- How quarterly check-ins improve engagement and accountability
- Why employees need to feel heard and seen to stay committed

Whether you’re a small business owner or managing a growing team, this simple shift can dramatically improve performance, retention, and morale.

👉 Need help building a performance management approach that actually works?
Explore our services at The Workplace Advisors and connect with us!
___________________________________________
E-mail:
hello@theworkplaceadvisors.com

___________________________________________
Website:
http://www.theworkplaceadvisors.com

___________________________________________
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiastjohn/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/theworkplaceadvisors

___________________________________________
Want more HR Minute Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBuCma_pb3Y5ow6y_se-L4XKRIFjkLv-o