Crystal Spraggins

Crystal Spraggins, SPHR, is an HR consultant and freelance writer who lives in Philadelphia. She also writes at her blog, HR BlogVOCATE. For the past 15 years, Crystal has focused on building HR departments in small- to mid-sized companies under the philosophy that "HR is not for wimps." She is also the CEO and Founder of Work It Out! and partners with HRCVision, a full-service HR consultant practice specializing in leadership and diversity training. Contact her at crs036@aim.com.

When Your Employees Are Right, Tell ‘Em They’re Right

Crystal SpragginsFebruary 20, 2014

Back in the day when I used to watch a lot of the Dr. Phil show, I heard the good counselor question his guests more than once, “Do you want to be right, … Read more

Comp Study Says Companies Are Expecting Good Things in 2014

Crystal SpragginsFebruary 13, 2014

PayScale has just released its 2014 Compensation Best Practices Report, and I was asked to take a look because (full disclosure) PayScale is a client. … Read more

Using Boss Power Responsibly: Why Boundaries Are Important

Crystal SpragginsFebruary 6, 2014

For the last five nights, I’ve watched past episodes of the award-winning television series Damages, which stars Glenn Close as Patty Hewes, a … Read more

Which Kind of Leader Are You – Focused on the Doughnut, or the Hole?

Crystal SpragginsJanuary 30, 2014

Be honest. Do you see the doughnut? Or the doughnut hole? I see the hole. Definitely. Always have and probably always will. That’s who I am. I happen to … Read more

Giving Notice: What It Should Tell You When Workers Don’t Give Any

Crystal SpragginsJanuary 23, 2014

A few weeks ago, a man on LinkedIn questioned “Why burn bridges?” He was objecting to the behavior of a past employee, a young woman, who’d quit without … Read more

What Smart Companies Know: Everyone’s Unique and Different

Crystal SpragginsJanuary 16, 2014

It was evident my boss was losing patience with me, but honestly, it couldn’t be helped. The source of his frustration? I’d released my subordinate from … Read more

New Year, Same Stuff: 10 Things I Hope Companies Stop Doing in 2014

Crystal SpragginsJanuary 9, 2014

Yes, it’s 2014, and here is my New Year’s list. A drum roll, please … 1. Begrudging employees for all they “take” As a parent, I’d be … Read more

The Living Wage Battle: Business as Usual, or Sign of Things to Come?

Crystal SpragginsDecember 19, 2013

There is a fascinating battle afoot, and it may not be new but it’s manifesting itself in new ways. I’m talking about the battle between big business and … Read more

A Management Truism to Remember: Your Workers Aren’t You

Crystal SpragginsDecember 13, 2013

One of the first things I learned after starting a freelance writing career is that many people expect writers to work for free. Writing for free, or for … Read more

When Bullying Turns Into Mobbing, Everyone in the Workplace Loses

Crystal SpragginsDecember 5, 2013

An extraordinarily dimwitted New York business owner will have to shell out at least $250,000 for hurling the n-word at his employee during a reported … Read more