"I've always felt like my colleagues and employees wanted me to be like their neighborhood bartender—that friendly face who's there when you need them," writes Sharlyn Lauby on her popular blog HR Bartender. Not just for HR professionals, Lauby's blog covers a broad range of workplace issues. She tackles thorny issues such as navigating office politics, having a performance conversation with an employee, asking for a pay raise, and yes, how to fire an employee (hint: the process should involve fairness and dignity).