Half of the respondents to a Milkround survey said buzzwords and business jargon in job applications were off-putting and discouraged them from applying. Job searchers said they would like employers to use plain language instead of phrases such as "blue-sky thinking."

CEOs who want to innovate need to think in nonlinear ways and foster a culture of learning, says Steelcase CEO Jim Keane. It's important that employees have a say in what and how they learn, he adds.

A Massachusetts employer who fired an employee after a perceived abuse of the Family Medical Leave Act paid out $1.3 million for wrongful termination. The case is an example of why employers should be cautious about what is written in emails and refrain from making snap decisions about what may seem to be abuses of leave, writes J. Lane Crowder.

Tracking metrics used by the Orlando Utilities Commission show its most-efficient wellness programs include onsite personal training and wellness classes, incentives for being physically active, and employee assistance programs. Having access to physical and mental health programs, and classes on workplace violence, anti-bullying, anti-sexual harassment and emergency responses also were on the list.

Skills in cloud computing, artificial intelligence and big data are among the most sought-after, a LinkedIn executive says. Technical skill-set demands are changing about every six years, but soft skills such as problem solving, critical thinking and creativity will always be in demand.