The California Supreme Court has ruled unanimously that companies that want to withhold wages and benefits given to regular employees must prove gig workers run a business.

Companies should write down policies that are broadly flexible about where and when people work and focus less on the reasons why an accommodation is needed, write Joan Williams and Marina Multhaup of the Center for WorkLife Law at the University of California. "If you feel you can't trust your employees to work out of your sight, that's a performance problem," they write.

A connected workplace boosts engagement by improving communication channels, uniting employees and building relationships with leadership, writes Mike Hicks of Igloo Software. Platforms should be easily accessible and should foster information sharing across all teams, remote and on-site, Hicks writes.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation launched its 52-week paid leave program for new parents in 2015 and has since found the initiative to contribute to familial health while also increasing commitment and productivity among its employees, according to Steven Rice, the foundation's chief human resources officer. Rice says the program has its challenges as well, such as making the transition easy for managers and training temporary employees.

Employees will be less frustrated by change if they are included in the discussion, can see there's a plan and are given training, writes Malin Teles. Be sure to address staff privately when changes to roles are to be publicly announced, Teles adds.