About 73,000 employees across the nation have been underpaid a total of $4 billion per year due to employers avoiding overtime payments by creating dubious management titles, such as "director of first impressions" for a receptionist role, according to research by Harvard and The University of Texas. The practice is best avoided not only because of legal risks, but the ill feelings it can cause among employees and cost to reputation, Minda Zetlin writes.

Agency leaders talk about what they're doing to encourage employees to stay during January, a month that's a prime time for staff to look at other opportunities. Colle McVoy's Sue Hagstrom explains how the agency is "fostering connectedness" and prioritizing flexibility and recognition, while Something Different's Patti McConnell talks about how each employee is "empowered, counted on, recognized, and celebrated for their efforts and feels ownership in all their contributions."

Employers can use five strategies to retain remote talent, such as facilitating flexibility and mobility, writes Mailshake's Sam Molony. Schedule regular catch-ups, set clearly defined goals, support career development with training and prioritize employee wellness, Molony advises.

A Ripe Health Assessment Study found that almost half of senior executives have at least one chronic illness, compared with 35% of the general population. Senior leaders' age, heavier workloads and higher stress levels mean they need tools, technology and benefits that encourage more complete preventive health care.

Teams are more effective when they have emotionally intelligent leaders who know how to identify and regulate their own emotions, build respectful relationships and be empathetic to the needs of others, writes David Burkus. "Leaders high in empathy are better able to coach their team members and provide constructive feedback because they understand how team members will respond to that feedback," Burkus adds.