HR Industry Brief

Employees who sing together may succeed together, according to a new study. Researchers found that singing in a workplace choir was associated with a 96% reduction in work-related stress and an 86% decrease in feelings of social isolation. Study co-author Joanna Foster said, “Organizations should seriously consider encouraging their staff to regularly participate in singing groups….” It is fun and costs nothing or little, she said, and it contributes to improved well-being, engagement, and possibly job performance. Other studies have found that group singing is related to improved physical and mental health as well. Read the full article. … [Read more...] about (1/14) Are Workers Who Sing Together Happier Employees? — Medical Xpress

According to new data, occupancy at Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) is higher than non-CCRCs across various segments, including assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing care. One possible reason for this is the CCRC “product profile,” which attracts healthier residents, resulting in lower turnover. Non-CCRCs had higher occupancy in some settings, including independent living in the West North Central region of the country, memory care in the mountain region, and nursing care in the Mountain and Pacific regions. More study is needed to explain economic drivers such as industry mix, employment growth, and living costs. Read the full article.   … [Read more...] about (1/11) New Data Examine CCRC Occupancy Levels Compared to Assisted Living, SNFs – Provider

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were roughly 2.9 million workplace injuries and health ailments in the private sector last year. Providing first-aid training for employees enables your team to respond promptly and appropriately if someone gets hurt. It also provides peace of mind and helps eliminate the panic, fear, and anxiety that often accompany an accident or emergency situation. When employees have the skills and confidence to handle an accident, it expedites response time and enables immediate, if temporary, relief for the injured worker. Going through this training also strengthens staff relationship and promotes teamwork. Additionally, it can help reduce the costs associates with accidents and injuries. Read the full article. … [Read more...] about (1/10) Five Reasons Why You Should Teach Your Employees First Aid – HR Daily Advisor

Increasingly, companies see innovative technology solutions as a key part of HR, and they are investing in these to attract and keep the best workers. Among the high-tech trends in HR for 2019 are greater investment in employee engagement software, increased use of technology to remove unconscious bias from the hiring process, and use of virtual reality-based sexual harassment training. Also expect to see more computer-based programs to promote employees’ mental and financial health and a significant growth in artificial intelligence-driven HR technology. Read the full article.   … [Read more...] about (1/9) 5 Areas Where HR Technology Will Make a Difference This Year – TLNT

Consider ways to make your relationship with technology more productive and less addictive this year. Take a break from social media. Pledge to turn off Facebook and other social media one or two days a week. Limit your notifications; shut off alerts from all or most of your apps to eliminate—or at least reduce—the constant barrage of lights and sounds distracting you. In your organization, have or expand ‘no phone zones.’ Most organizations have some rules on this currently, but think about efforts such as special phone-free break rooms. At home, consider turning off electronics after a certain time or limiting their use to certain rooms. Read the full article. … [Read more...] about (1/08) Want a Healthier Relationship with Technology in 2019? Try These Resolutions – Inc.

As 2019 started, 19 states increased their minimum wage, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Washington. Additionally, Oregon and Washington, DC, will implement wage hikes in July; and Michigan lawmakers recently passed a 20-cent increase for 2019, which will be enacted around April 1. Whether Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives will push for a $15/hour federal minimum wage remains in question. Read the full article. … [Read more...] about (1/07) Many States and Cities Raise Their Minimum Wages in 2019 – SHRM

Are you losing good employees because of poor leaders? Kyle Kirchhoff, author of The Economics of Emotion, says that people often leave jobs because of their feelings about their boss. In a recent interview, he said that ‘meanness’ is no longer seen as an acceptable tradeoff for ‘smarts’ in leaders. Increasingly, Kirchhoff said, companies are concerned with creating a positive work environment for all. As a result, more organizations seek and value ‘emotionally intelligent’ leaders, those who recognize emotion in themselves and how it affects their communication with others. These individuals inspire and encourage others to do their best work. To support emotional intelligent leadership, HR needs to encourage a culture of feedback where people are comfortable speaking out. [Read more...] about (1/04) Poor Leadership Driving Top Talent Out – Employee Benefit News

Lawsuits and claims against senior living communities are on the rise; and, as a result, some facilities could see insurance rate increases as high as 30% in the near future. Fewer insurers currently offer coverage in this sector than they did just five years ago. Some insurers are refusing to write coverage for companies in this industry, while others are dropping coverage for existing clients and/or pulling out of states where litigation is high. This is particularly troublesome in an era where the number of people living in senior care facilities has grown by over 10% between 2010 and 2016. Read the full article. … [Read more...] about (1/03) Big Claims Strain Senior Living Market for Insurers –Business Insurance

According to a new survey, about one in five people who take Valium, Xanax, and other benzodiazepines misuse the medications; and the use of these drugs in general is higher than previously thought. Overall, about 25.3 million adults said they used benzodiazepines as prescribed during the previous year, and another 5.3 million said they’d misused the drugs. Benzodiazepine abuse can cause workers to exercise poor judgment, experience mood changes, and increase risk-taking behavior. They may appear drowsy and have slurred speech and impaired coordination. Read the full article. … [Read more...] about (1/02) More Evidence That Abuse of Xanax, Valium Is on the Rise – Health Day

According to the 2018 Travelers Risk Index, cyber risks are one of the greatest concerns among businesses of all sizes in all industries. Although 91% of respondents expressed confidence that their companies had implemented best practices to avoid a cyber event, over half (55%) said they hadn’t completed a cyber risk assessment for their business, and 63% hadn’t assessed vendors with access to their data. About two-thirds of respondents said they haven’t developed a business continuity plan, and about half said they haven’t purchased cyber insurance. Read the full article. … [Read more...] about (1/01) The Cyber Confidence Gap –Risk Management Magazine