Climate change—it's an intimidating topic to try to understand. And when a problem is so massive, employers may be tempted to wait for perfect solutions to materialize before they jump into action. But employees, customers, and others are now demanding more from business. So, what is HR's role? That's a question more employers are starting to address.

Some 450 members of United Steelworkers Local 40 went on strike on October 1, 2021, when the union failed to reach a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with management at Special Metals, a plant based in Huntington, West Virginia, which develops and produces nickel alloys. Like many employers dealing with strikes, it's likely Special Metals is doing its utmost to maintain high standards and meet customer needs despite the union’s efforts. Successful strategies for dealing with strikes are certainly important, but employers are generally more motivated to take measures to prevent strikes before they happen because the consequences can be severe. Here are four major tips to avoid strikes before the work stoppage occurs.

When an employee is injured on the job, the federal Family and Medical Leave Act or the Wisconsin Family and Medical Leave Act (collectively, FMLA) may confer benefits in addition to what the state’s worker's compensation provides. Employers subject to the FMLA should consider how the law interacts with their state’s worker's comp law when FMLA-eligible employees need time off from work or modified duty after a work-related injury.