Eleven states consider workplace recordings illegal unless both parties have consented, and some employers' policies forbid such recordings, says employment law attorney Katrina Patrick. The prospect of such recordings -- brought to public prominence in cases such as Omarosa Manigault Newman's recording of conversations with White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and President Donald Trump -- can also undermine transparency efforts in the workplace, says Johnny Taylor Jr. of the Society for Human Resource Management.

Demoting might be a better course of action than firing for a worker who is underperforming, Jeff Hyman writes. Hyman outlines two situations in which demotion is better than termination and explains how to know whether an employee is a candidate for this option.

Y Combinator's nonprofit, YC Research, will launch a $60 million, five-year study in 2019 that will research how basic income influences upward mobility and equality in the US. Offering people unconditional cash to live on could help end poverty, said Y Combinator President Sam Altman.

Studies show that employees often need to disconnect from technology to maintain mental health, but organization leaders should be cautious about the programs they implement, experts say. Todd Katz, executive vice president at MetLife, says implementing programs that maintain employee connection can improve recruitment, retention and employee engagement.

Strategies are successful when they are easy to understand and aren't confused with goals or tactics, writes Rich Horwath. "Only when your team has a common language for strategic thinking and planning will you be able to forge a path to the business results you seek," he writes.