How to build a staff with skills, passion for sustained digitalization. To successfully integrate data, artificial intelligence (AI), and automation into your operations, a commitment to digitalization has to be embedded in your culture and embraced by employees at all levels. According to a recent survey, 84% of business leaders are planning to increase investment in technology this year; and the majority also believe that it isn’t enough to throw money at digitalization. Seven in 10 said that a culture shift is also necessary to prepare for a high-tech future; and they’re counting on HR for help. … [Read more...] about Lead a Culture Shift for Digital Transformation
(4/4) Latest Congressional Actions Putting Employer Pay Practices Under Scrutiny
On March 27, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Paycheck Fairness Act. Now, the WAGE Equity Act has been introduced as an alternative bill. Whatever happens with either of these pieces of legislation, remember that equal pay for equal work is already mandated by law (via Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964). However, as equity increasingly is in the headlines, consider conducting a pay equity review with your legal counsel to ensure that your current pay practices comply with federal and state equal pay laws. If you identify pay differentials, unfair pay practices, or discriminatory pay gaps, correct them immediately. Realize that this may call for across-the-board pay increases, so you need to be prepared for this. Elsewhere, review and update employment applications and train recruiters, your HR team, and supervisors about how to (and not to) address pay issues in job/hiring interviews. [Read more...] about (4/4) Latest Congressional Actions Putting Employer Pay Practices Under Scrutiny
Employees Want Mentors…Now
Workers at all levels see mentorships as a valuable perk, but companies aren’t delivering. As your organization deals with constant change and a range of workplace and industry challenges, coaches and mentors are more important than ever for employees at all levels. Nonetheless, while employees in a recent survey said that mentorships are valuable, few actually have a mentor. While over half of 3,000 respondents (56%) said they have had a mentor in the past, only 37% said they still have such a professional relationship. Interestingly, 9% said that they aren’t sure if they have a mentor or not, as the relationship is unclear. … [Read more...] about Employees Want Mentors…Now
(4/3) Wellness Has Flatlined, But Data Is Your Lifeline
According to a recent survey, more than two-third of businesses plan to expand their wellness initiatives sometime in the next 3-5 years. Specifically, they expect to add programs that focus on areas beyond physical well-being, including financial, emotional, and social health. This sounds promising; however, only 16% of employees strongly agreed that they know where to find all of the health and wellness resources and services available to them. Elsewhere, a vast majority said that their company offers a “one-size-fits-all” program that doesn’t necessary meet their personal needs and interests. However, the good news is that 80% of employees said that they would participate more if programs were personalized. By using artificial intelligence and employee data, employers can customize well-being offerings for individual workers and boost engagement. [Read more...] about (4/3) Wellness Has Flatlined, But Data Is Your Lifeline
When Disaster Strikes, Do You Have Answers Employees Need?
Don’t wait for an emergency to know ins and outs of FLSA, FMLA compliance. Hurricanes, tornados, floods, fires, blizzards. When disaster strikes, employers have a plethora of concerns. As HR, you need to think about Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) compliance; and you should be prepared to answer employees’ questions about how, when, and if they will be paid if there are evacuations or closures or they need to take time off. Nonexempt employees only have to be paid for the time they actually work. Therefore, if your organization is evacuated or closed and they don’t have to report to work, these workers don’t have to be paid. Exempt (salaried) employees, on the other hand, must be paid their full salary if they work any time during the week of a closure or evacuation. For instance, if everyone but essential staff are sent home on Wednesday because of blizzard and not required to report back to work until Friday, they must receive their full, … [Read more...] about When Disaster Strikes, Do You Have Answers Employees Need?
(4/2) Culture Change Is Bottom Up and Top Down
While it’s true that you can’t implement culture change without buy-in and support from leadership, you also need employees at all levels to get—and stay—on board. Start by understanding the importance of open communication. Talk to your employees. Do they understand what the organizational culture is? What do they know about culture change? How does the culture affect their work? What culture changes would make their work better? Of course, you need champions, so identify informal and thought leaders in your company. Make sure they know what you’re trying to do, and talk to them about how they can support your efforts and model culture change. Establish a cultural narrative that tells your company’s story—its core ideals and values, goals, achievements, and history. A vivid, rich story can paint a portrait that resonates with everyone. Read the full article. … [Read more...] about (4/2) Culture Change Is Bottom Up and Top Down
Suicide Rates Rising: Are Your Employees at Risk?
Beef up your mental health and employee assistance programs to keep workers safe. Your employees are under pressure--constant regulatory and policy changes to deal with, family issues, financial concerns, and more. You may think they are coping, but are they? Stress and pressure can push people who already have mental illness such as depression to the brink. You need to be able to recognize signs that someone may be hurting. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the suicide rate has jumped 33% between 1999 and 2017, and the rates were significantly higher last year, especially among men. Your older employees, as well as your residents, are not risk-free. Older adults (people over age 65) make up just 12% of the population, but they account for 18% of all suicide deaths. Employers can’t assume that their workers and safe and happy, and a … [Read more...] about Suicide Rates Rising: Are Your Employees at Risk?
(4/1) The Benefits Employees Want Most, Busting the Elite College Earnings Myth, and More Top Insights
April Fool’s Day is a good time for myth-busting, and a new survey suggests that some beliefs employers hold near and dear about what benefits attract workers, in fact, may be misconceptions. For instance, companies often think that better salaries and novel perks such as yoga classes and the ability to bring pets to work will attract younger workers. However, what these employees really want is more free time. Unlimited paid vacation is the most desired benefit, according to one survey, with 72% of employees saying this is their top choice. They identified other popular benefits, including rewards for healthy behavior (69%), phased retirement (68%), paid sabbaticals (66%), onsite medical/mental health care (59%), the ability to work abroad (54%), concierge program (44%), genetic testing (38%), subsidized egg freezing (33%), and gender reassignment support/subsidy (32%). [Read more...] about (4/1) The Benefits Employees Want Most, Busting the Elite College Earnings Myth, and More Top Insights
Despite Barriers, HR Can Lead Digitalization
HR leaders face barriers to digital solutions, but continuous performance improvement can help. HR executives agree that taking the leap to high-tech operations is a top priority for 2019 and beyond, but many aren’t sure how to pursue this, how to ensure success, and how to get buy-in from the top down. According to one survey, 94% of corporate HR officers are planning to digitalize HR within 1-3 years to improve operations, employee experience, and productivity; and they are pursuing an average of five digital initiatives. However, 61% said they aren’t prepared to manage this digital transformation. Most respondents (73%) rated their organizations as having a below average level of digital advancement. So what is holding them back? According to respondents, top barriers include poor existing IT … [Read more...] about Despite Barriers, HR Can Lead Digitalization
(3/29) Tips to Prepare Your Organization for an Older Workforce
Many organizations are looking to older workers and retirees as a way to bridge the employment gap. It is important to keep these employers safe and productive. To start, customize a workplace safety program that addresses issues such new technology and ergonomics. Align training programs with the learning preferences of older workers (e.g., on-the-job or in-person training versus online programs). Give older workers an opportunity to share their life/work experiences by letting them train younger workers or help younger supervisors better understand how to manage older employees. Ensure that older workers are up to the job’s physical demands; and consider safety tools such as job rotations. In the long run, it makes sense to promote an age-diverse business culture that recognizes and appreciates older workers. Read the full article. … [Read more...] about (3/29) Tips to Prepare Your Organization for an Older Workforce
