Paying women based on salary history perpetuates wage inequity and violates the Equal Pay Act when men receive higher pay as a result, the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled. The lawsuit stems from a California educator's discovery a male colleague, with less education and experience, was paid nearly $13,000 more than she was.

Listening to employees helps executives experience the company's culture from their perspective and take the right steps to improve it, so they retain staff, writes Cyndi Sax. "Don't defend your behavior, debate the accuracy of the feedback, or respond in any way other than to thank the person for sharing their perceptions with you," she writes.

Entertainment changes the way every part of a business operates and turns boring, one-way communication in a meeting into two-way engagement, writes training consultant Tom Stapleton. Engage personally with the audience and use games and other fun elements to effectively include listeners in the learning experience.

Large companies that operate in multiple states are struggling to comply with various state and local laws regarding paid family leave, labor experts say. At least seven states and Washington, D.C., recently have passed or proposed legislation that introduces or expands paid family or medical leave, in addition to the many cities and states that already have such laws.

Companies should periodically check in with employees on sick leave to ensure they feel valued and engaged, and then create a plan for their return to work, including how it is announced to other staff, writes executive coach Anne Sugar. Employees may need additional attention during their first few weeks back and flexible scheduling to accommodate medical appointments or fatigue, Sugar says.