Fifteen cities, states and counties -- including Maryland, Oregon and Washington, D.C. -- had minimum wage hikes scheduled Friday, according to the Employment Policies Institute. "It's very confusing to deal with this patchwork approach" of increases, says Michael Saltsman, research director at the institute.

Veterans of US special forces are increasingly pursuing careers with Silicon Valley technology startups, where their team-building skills and ability to think creatively are valued.

New federal rules applying to overtime pay take effect in December and may be a game changer for your business. Mike Trabold, director of compliance at HR tech services provider Paychex, reviews the changes and offers a nine-point checklist to help employers prepare.

Startups and gig-economy companies are leading more employers to offer same-day pay options to help employees get access to wages faster. Employees pay a fee for instant access, but the charges are less than typical fees for bank overdrafts or payday loans.

Telemedicine companies are convincing a growing number of employers and health insurers that remote mental-health services can cut costs and add convenience for patients. "Every year, nearly 1 in 4 adults will deal with a mental health disorder, yet less than half of these individuals will actually receive treatment," American Well's Zereana Jess-Huff said.

Many leaders should be having ongoing performance and feedback conversations but aren't, and Marlene Chism spotlights the warning signs of avoidance. "There are only two real barriers to initiating difficult conversations: The avoidance of discomfort, and the lack of skill," she writes.