There are thousands of professional skills. Which ones do your workers want and need? According to at least one survey, employees crave training opportunities. Nearly two-thirds (59%) said it improves their overall job performance, about half (51%) said it enhances their self-confidence, and 41% said it helps them manage time better. But with more than 50,000 professional skills in the world, how do you decide what training options to offer your team? Researchers used LinkedIn data to identify hot topics to focus on for a qualified, skilled workforce in 2019 and beyond. … [Read more...] about Target Hard and Soft Skills That Are Just Right for Your Employees
Culture & Leadership
Campaign to Keep Politics from Disrupting the Workplace
When employees talk politics on the job, it can cause stress, negativity. HR can help turn down the heat on political discourse and ensure a cooler workplace. In recent years, more people than ever follow and are interested in politics; and many people on all sides of key issues have strong opinions and beliefs. According to a survey by American Psychological Association, at least 1 in 10 working Americans said they have experienced tension or stress, felt more cynical and negative at work, and have had difficulty completely their tasks as a result of political discussions at the office. … [Read more...] about Campaign to Keep Politics from Disrupting the Workplace
Give Employees a “Nudge” for More Engaged, Productive Workplace
Change is hard for people; but you can make it easier. Behavioral “nudges,” actions employing positive reinforcement and indirect suggestions as ways to influence behaviors and decisions, can be used in the workplace to encourage teamwork and improve productivity. … [Read more...] about Give Employees a “Nudge” for More Engaged, Productive Workplace
Don’t Ignore Stress; Embrace It for a Happier Workplace
In an exclusive interview, best-selling author Peter Hanson, MD, talks HR, stress, and modern life. Physician and author of The Joy of Stress Peter Hanson, MD, puts stress into perspective. While it’s true that we are faced with an explosion in technology, a fast-changing world, a rapidly evolving healthcare system, and challenges balancing work and family, he reminds us that our forefathers dealt with life-threatening plagues, famine, and environmental dangers. “Our ancestors were being attacked by wild animals, while we complain because we our Wi-Fi is slow,” he says. When you think about it that way, he suggests, our stresses seem eminently manageable. … [Read more...] about Don’t Ignore Stress; Embrace It for a Happier Workplace
Three Obstacles to Stellar Employee Performance
There are obstacles that have the potential to derail even the best employees, and you need to identify these hurdles to get over them. My article last week talked about eight areas of inquiry to help assess performance and give the manager the information required to not only enhance performance, but also to create dialogue and increase commitment. Here, we will explore three common performance obstacles and how to address them. … [Read more...] about Three Obstacles to Stellar Employee Performance
Study Provides Insights into Employee Engagement Factors
Several psychological benefits spark employee satisfaction and loyalty, according to researchers. Organizations invest billions of dollars every year in employee engagement tools, but too often they miss the mark. Now a new study offers some insights into the psychological factors that promote employee engagement. “Delivering the Psychological Benefits That Drive Employee Loyalty,” which involved a survey of 1,466 full-time employees at mid- and large-size U.S. companies, suggests that five types of psychological benefits drive employee engagement. … [Read more...] about Study Provides Insights into Employee Engagement Factors
Couple Clarity and Consistency for Harmonious Workplace Romance Rules
As Valentine’s Day approaches, it is a good time to reflect on how to address workplace romances. According to the 2018 Vault Office Romance Survey, 52% of employees say they have had some kind of romantic relationship with a co-worker. In light of the #MeToo movement and concerns about sexual harassment, companies are taking a renewed look at workplace romance and working to create a balance between discouraging inappropriate behavior and enabling legitimate consensual relationships. … [Read more...] about Couple Clarity and Consistency for Harmonious Workplace Romance Rules
The Business of Belonging: Connecting Employees to Your Company
Inclusion—done right--inspires innovation and increases productivity. Inclusion involves a sense of belonging and community. It means that employees feel connected to their workplace and the people around them; and they feel comfortable expressing diverse viewpoints and celebrating differences as well as commonalities. It not only results in happier, more engaged employees, but research suggests it can increase productivity by as much as 35%. … [Read more...] about The Business of Belonging: Connecting Employees to Your Company
Get an ‘A’ for Accessibility and High Grades from Disabled Workers
Put ensuring a work environment that is accessible for all employees on your 2019 to-do list. With appropriate support and guidance, disabled employees can contribute effectively, work productively, and be excellent additions to your workforce. Take a few minutes to go through this checklist to shore up your Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and maximize the satisfaction and performance of your employees with disabilities. … [Read more...] about Get an ‘A’ for Accessibility and High Grades from Disabled Workers
Take Training Up a Notch to Increase Worker Competence, Confidence
A new survey shows that many workers don’t feel qualified for their jobs and hesitate to ask for help. According to a recent survey, one-third of the workforce doesn’t feel qualified for their jobs, and over half say they have a colleague who they think is unqualified for his or her position. At the same time, many hesitate to ask for help; and one in three say they turn to Google or YouTube instead of a supervisor or coworker. … [Read more...] about Take Training Up a Notch to Increase Worker Competence, Confidence