In a busy world where people are constantly on the move, it can be challenging to connect via traditional means such as emails or even phone calls. Increasingly, hiring managers and recruiters are using texting for fast, easy communication. Why? First of all, texting is quicker; and it makes it easy to set up appointments or interviews. It’s easy to use texts for reminders and extra tips before personal meetings. No one likes to be ghosted or surprised; a quick confirmation and note about what information to bring will help ensure a smoother, more successful meeting. Texting is especially popular with millennials and other younger workers; so using this means of communication can get their attention and interest. Read the full article. … [Read more...] about (5/3) 4 Simple Reasons Why Texting Can Lead to Better Hires
Brand Gravity Draws Quality Candidates Like a Magnet
Move beyond branding to gravity for perpetual popularity with job-seekers. To consistently attract good workers, you don’t just need a solid brand; you need brand gravity. This is when your brand has the “emotional pull” that makes people remember you and your company over time in a positive light. It means that when people are in the job market, they come straight to your organization because they already know it’s a good place to work. So how do you create brand gravity? … [Read more...] about Brand Gravity Draws Quality Candidates Like a Magnet
(5/2) Poll: Americans Among Most Stressed People in the World
It may be time to ramp up your efforts to help employees manage stress. According to a new Gallup Report, Americans are more stressed than people in most other countries; and their worries and fears are increasing. Over half (55%) of Americans surveyed said they experience stress during much of the day, and 22% said they regularly feel anger. Stress, anger, and worries are more common among younger Americans (those ages 15 to 49); and lowest-income people reported more negative emotions than the highest-income Americans. Among the poorest 20% of Americans, nearly 70% reported feeling stressed during the day. Among the programs or benefits that may help reduce stress including financial counseling/coaching, yoga/meditation and exercise classes, family activities, and tuition assistance or professional development opportunities. [Read more...] about (5/2) Poll: Americans Among Most Stressed People in the World
Tick Tock: Let a High-Tech Time Clock Watch Workers’ Hours
What features will maximize your ability to manage schedules, payroll? About 78 million Americans punch a time clock, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, and businesses lose up to 5% of gross payroll to time clock fraud annually. However, maintaining accurate attendance is important to more than just your bottom line. If employees see co-workers get away with arriving late or leaving early, they may become frustrated and resentful. This can cause on-the-job conflicts and even result in turnover. So what’s the answer? It’s the 21st century, so timesheets and a punch clock aren’t enough anymore. Time clock software that tracks employee attendance, schedules, and time off is the path to accuracy and effectiveness. When all of this information is captured and recorded in a database, it can be used to generate reports, track trends in real-time, and make payroll more efficient. … [Read more...] about Tick Tock: Let a High-Tech Time Clock Watch Workers’ Hours
(5/1) How Bad Technology Is Costing You Top Talent
Outdated or inadequate technology may just seem like an inconvenience, but it actually can be costing you good employees. According to a recent survey, 24% of workers have considered leaving their position over bad technology because it doesn’t match up to their job demands. To build high-tech systems that workers appreciate and embrace, make sure your tools and platforms are structured around employee workflow and aligned with the tech people use in their lives outside of work. Consider digital workplace platforms that streamline HR systems, leverage chat and community features, encourage collaborations, and employ analytics. Remember that the secret to effective workplace technology is a combination of easy-to-navigate interface and a personalized toolkit. Read the full article. … [Read more...] about (5/1) How Bad Technology Is Costing You Top Talent
Are You Following ADA Guidance on Obesity?
HR leaders needs to look at how they address the safety, other needs of overweight employees. Statistics suggest that at least a small percentage of your employees are overweight or obese. Some of these individuals may qualify for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protections if their weight and related symptoms/problems “substantially limit a major life activity.” You need to know who qualifies for what protections and be prepared to provide these accordingly. Otherwise, you could leave your organization open to discrimination complaints. If an employee is obese and has associated problems—such as joint pain, mobility difficulties, shortness of breath, and/or diabetes, you need to implement a process to determine what accommodations may be needed or possible. Note that the underlying problems may be considered disabilities in their own right, regardless of weight issues; and the ADA considers those workers “regarded as disabled,” even if they don’t meet other criteria. … [Read more...] about Are You Following ADA Guidance on Obesity?
(4/30) Cultural Intelligence Is a Competitive Advantage
Having a high cultural quotient (CQ) can help you attract and keep the best employees in a globalized work environment. Toward that end, HR leaders should prioritize improving their organization’s CQ. How is this done? Start by taking a CQ test and share it with your team to determine where your organization stands; then share your CQ data within the company, even if the results aren’t stellar. Transparency will encourage a supportive environment and leadership that is open to change and learning. Finally, strategize and take action as a team to improve your CQ. Consider learning new languages, traveling, or volunteering together. Engage in real-world activities that introduce people to new cultures in a positive way. Read the … [Read more...] about (4/30) Cultural Intelligence Is a Competitive Advantage
Survey: Companies Offer Innovative Family-Friendly Benefits to Attract Workers
In a growing trend, employers are thinking beyond parental leave to fertility treatments, child care, college savings accounts, more. According to a new study, employers are increasingly offering family-friendly benefits to attract and retain good employees. These include more traditional efforts such as paid parental leave, as well as more novel benefits such as fertility treatments and medications, genetic testing, and egg harvesting/freezing. According to the numbers, there’s a good chance some of your competitors are offering these perks; so take the time to consider what more you can do. According to the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans’ (IFEBP) annual Employee Benefits Survey, nearly a third (31%) of employers with 500 or more employees offer some sort of fertility benefit. At the same time, 23% cover in vitro fertilization (IVF) … [Read more...] about Survey: Companies Offer Innovative Family-Friendly Benefits to Attract Workers
(4/29) 7 Tips for Keeping Shift Workers Healthy
Many employees like the flexibility that shift work can enable, but non-traditional schedules can have a negative impact on mental and physical health. To keep your shift workers safe, healthy, and happy, consider a few tips: · Make their schedules as predictable as possible, and provide adequate advance notice for schedule/shift changes. This enables your workers to prepare mentally for the change and make necessary arrangements such as child care or transportation assistance. · Limit the number of nights employees work consecutively. Make sure all workers get adequate time off to rest, refresh, and recharge. · Have designated places and times for shift worker to rest. · Include flexibility in health/wellness programs so that shift workers aren’t excluded or unable to participate because of their schedules. · Consider shift-based hiring. Think about hiring people for specific shifts. Matching employees with the shift that best … [Read more...] about (4/29) 7 Tips for Keeping Shift Workers Healthy
EEOC Acting Chair Offers New Insights on Pay Equity
Know the laws and what you can do to avoid pay discrimination headaches…or worse. Earlier this month, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Acting Chair Victoria A. Lipnic published a message about equal pay and highlighted some significant recent legal cases. She started by observing, “What we know at the EEOC is that pay discrimination, the concept of ‘equal pay for equal work’ enshrined in the Equal Pay Act of 1963, is real. We see and bring the cases every year.” She noted that her agency garnered approximately $4.1 million in litigation for discrimination victims whose claims involved equal pay violations. Clearly, HR professionals need to stay on top of these issues so that they can attract and keep talent and avoid the expenses and headaches related to unfair wage claims. … [Read more...] about EEOC Acting Chair Offers New Insights on Pay Equity
