News
California Says Uber Drivers Are Employees. Now What?
Last night, the California Senate passed a piece of legislation codifying the “ABC test,” a more stringent standard that employers must meet to classify workers as independent contractors. While this bill will affect many workers across California, one of the most notable effects will come in the so-called “gig” economy.
Penn State LER Faculty Present at the ASA
The American Sociological Association recently held its 114th Annual Meeting, “Engaging Social Justice for a Better World,” from August 10-13th in New York City. A number of LER faculty shared their research and participated in a variety of sessions.
School of Labor & Employment Relations Mourns the Loss of Amy Dietz
On March 11, the School of LER lost a very special member of our community. Amy Dietz was an LER major, a graduate of our Master’s program, a staff member, an academic advisor, and a faculty member. She was a tremendous advocate for our School and was beloved by our students, faculty, and alums. She will be greatly missed.
School of Labor & Employment Relations mourns the loss of Stan Gully
Stan Gully, Professor of Human Resource Management in our School, passed away unexpectedly on October 9th, 2017. Professor Gully made a significant contribution in the three years he was a member of our faculty. He was an exceptional teacher, mentor, and colleague. He was also a well-respected scholar in the fields of human resource management and organizational behavior, having been named a fellow of the Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychology in 2014, as well as having been ranked by the Academy of Management in 2012 in the top 50 of the most influential scholars who received their degrees since 1991. His publication record includes a range of articles in top journals including Personnel Psychology, Industrial and Organizational Psychology: Perspectives on Science and Practice, Journal of Organizational Behavior, Journal of Applied Psychology, and Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes. Professor Gully also co-authored several books with Professor Jean Phillips, including Strategic Staffing, Human Resource Management, and Organization Behavior: Tools for Success. He earned his Ph.D. from Michigan State University in 1997 and previously was on the faculty of the School of Management and Labor Relations at Rutgers.
There is a Crisis in Pennsylvania Nursing Homes. And We Need to Address It. Now.
Attention baby boomers. There is a crisis in our state and you better start paying attention to it. The entire nursing home sector in Pennsylvania recently scored an “F” in quality in a report based on data reported to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a Federal government agency. And sixteen nursing homes in the state made the list of the 400 worst nursing homes in the nation.
4th Global Conference on International Human Resources Management Held at Penn State
A conference encouraging broadening the knowledge of international human resource management, the 4thGlobal Conference on International Human Resources Management, was held May 9-11 in the Chambers Building at University Park. This continues the now biennial tradition of running this conference since 2013. Organized by the Center for International Human Resource Studies (CIHRS), an initiative from the School of Labor and Employment Relations, conference attendees included more than sixty scholars from eighteen countries whose research focuses on the field of international human resource management (IHRM).
Assistant Professor, Michael Maffie, Weighs in on Recent Uber and Lyft Driver Strikes
In the past year, ‘gig’ economy workers around the world have engaged in strikes and other labor actions. Ridehail drivers on multiple continents organized collective work stoppages. Deliveroo riders organized for better pay and workplace protections. Instacart workers signed an online petition calling for pay protections and more control over their work. Worker organizations have formed unions or collectives in the UK, New York, Seattle, and elsewhere. Although the ‘gig’ economy was promised to a future of work without bosses and greater worker ‘flexibility,’ growing global labor unrest reveals serious problems in the ‘gig’ economy as its currently designed. What is driving these protests? What can policymakers, unions, and HR specialists do to improve labor conditions in the ‘gig’ economy?
Alumna Jacquelin L Brova ('75) honored with Outstanding Liberal Arts Alumni Award
Jacquelin L Brova (1975, labor studies) received the Outstanding Liberal Arts Alumni Award. Brova retired following a 40-year career as an executive human resources professional for the mining, steel and consumer products industries. Before her retirement, Brova served as executive vice president of global human resources for Church & Dwight Co., a publicly traded S&P 500 consumer products company. There, she led a global team responsible for leadership development, talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, HRIS, employee relations, and employee communications, and she worked closely with the board of directors on executive compensation and governance matters.
Hui presents work on Labor Struggles and International Solidarity in China
Dr. Elaine Hui, assistant professor for the School of Labor and Employment Relations, was invited to speak at recent event entitled “Labour Struggles and International Solidarity in China.” The event was organized by the Made in China Journal in conjunction with the Association for Asian Studies (AAS) Conference in Denver, Colorado from March 21 to 24.
The LABOR School at Penn State and Allegheny-Fayette CLC Launch Educational Programs for Unions in Southwest PA
On March 22, nearly fifty union members from a dozen local unions in Southwest Pennsylvania gathered at the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers Hall for a forum entitled, “Strategies for a New Labor Landscape: Strengthening Member Commitment,” hosted by The Labor School at Penn State, the Allegheny-Fayette CLC, and the PA AFL-CIO.
Tylar Smith selected as student marshal for labor and employment relations
Tylar Smith has been selected as the student marshal to represent the School of Labor and Employment Relations for the Penn State College of Liberal Arts spring 2019 commencement at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, in the Bryce Jordan Center. She will be escorted by Rebecca Cianci, associate profess of labor and employment relations.
Anner selected as inaugural recipient of Advancing a Global Penn State: Outstanding International Research award
Mark Anner, associate professor of the School of Labor and Employment Relations and director for the Center for Global Workers’ Rights, has been named inaugural recipient of the Advancing a Global Penn State: Outstanding International Research Award. Anner was honored at a reception held at the Hintz Family Alumni Center on Wednesday, March 20.
Hogan named as scholar for Student Engagement Network Faculty Academy
Tom Hogan, professor of practice in the School of Labor and Employment Relations, has been named as a Scholar in the Engagement Faculty Academy for the 2019-2021 academic years. The Student Engagement Network Faculty Academy is designed to provide funding for educators to deepen the University-wide discourse, practice, and recognition of engaged scholarship at Penn State.
General president of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades to speak April 16
Kenneth Rigmaiden, general president of the more than 160,000 member International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), will deliver the Penn State School of Labor and Employment Relations’ twenty-seventh annual Philip Murray Memorial Labor Lecture at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 16, in 121 Sparks Building. Topics he will address in his discussion include race issues within their union, generational barriers, changes in technology, social issues, breaking barriers, organizing within the immigrant community, representing various differences on the political spectrum, and the new generations views on unions. This is an open lecture and members of the public are invited to attend.
Penn State online learners to get study abroad experience in Croatia
World Campus students to learn about international human resources policies and practices
Aboud honored with 2019 Hendrick Award for service to adult learners
Antone Aboud, director of online programs and professor of practice at the School of Labor and Employment Relations, has been named as the winner of the 2019 Shirley Hendrick Award, presented by the Penn State Commission for Adult Learners for service to adult learners at the Faculty/Staff Awards reception on Tuesday, April 2.
School of Labor and Employment Relations recognizes 2019 spring award winners
On Friday, March 29, the School of Labor and Employment Relations recognized the 2019 spring award winners during a lunch at the Nittany Lion Inn. The Alumni Program Group (APG) hosted the event welcoming student award winners, alumni, faculty and staff to the banquet room for the special event.
Human Resources in Technology students to spend spring break in Silicon Valley
Fourteen students in the School of Labor and Employment Relations (LER) will travel to Silicon Valley during spring break as part of their special topics course LER 497 Human Resources in Technology. This four-day trip will provide students an opportunity to engage directly with engineers and human resource leaders in tech to gain a unique insight into a dynamic and growing industry.
2018 Outstanding Alumni Lecture – Kristie Pappal ‘00
On October 18, Kristie Pappal (2000), delivered the School of Labor and Employment Relation’s (LER) Annual Outstanding Alumni Lecture. Pappal is the current Vice President of Human Resources for the NFL's 2018 Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles and a 2000 graduate of Penn State's LER program. She has been with the Eagles since 2007 and has more than 17 years of combined HR experience.
Student Spotlight: World Campus Graduate Student, Keyana Taylor
Keyana Taylor, a recent graduate of the School's online MPS in HRER, shares her story and why she chose Penn State.
Redmond Named as Recipient of NACADA Outstanding Advocate for Academic Advising Award
NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising has named Dr. Brian Redmond, associate teaching professor at the School of Labor and Employment Relations (LER) and lead faculty member for the Organizational Leadership (OLEAD) program, as the winner of this year’s Region 2 Outstanding Advocate for Academic Advising.
School of Labor and Employment Relations Unveils New LERA Virtual Chapter
On Dec. 5, Penn State’s School of Labor and Employment Relations (LER) hosted their first virtual chapter of the Labor and Employment Relations Association (LERA). Founded in 1947, LERA provides a unique forum for professionals interested in labor and employment relations to obtain insights on recent developments, issues, and practices within the field.
Penn State’s Maich Invited to Document International Congress in Cape Town, South Africa
LER faculty member invited to attend 2nd Global Congress of the International Domestic Workers Federation in South Africa.
School of LER Sends Four to World Congress of Labor and Employment Relations
Four faculty from the School of Labor and Employment Relations travel to Seoul for the triennial event.