HR Industry Brief

During challenging times, bad actors may see the chaos and uncertainty as an opportunity for self-gain. While everyone is busy and even overburdened right now, it is more important than ever to make sure all your team members understand and practice business ethics:

• Make this a priority. Make sure both new hires and existing employees understand company policies. Stress that they need to practice ethical behavior at all times with no exceptions.
• Use real-life, relevant examples. Use examples from the real world to help employees understand how ethical issues apply to them and the ramifications of breaches of ethics. For instance, talk about what would happen if an employee was caught stealing or selling PPE or lied about no having COVID symptoms so they can come to work.
• Walk the walk. Model ethical behavior for your teams.
• Cultivate a culture of ethics. Make sure that ethics policies are enforced evenly across the board and that … [Read more...] about (10/23) Teaching Business Ethics for Better Corporate Culture

Navigating pandemic-related challenges, surprises, and changes isn’t easy for anyone. Leaders need help too, and those with the right skills and mindset will be best equipped to guide their teams through this crisis. These include:

• The ability to make decisions in the absence of information. There’s no precedent for much that is happening now, so leaders can’t depend on historical data, experience, or best practices. They need to be prepared to make decisions quickly with limited information.
• Empathy and understanding. Leaders need to genuinely connect with employees and be supportive. They need to realize that people respond in their own way to a crisis and that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to helping their teams.
• Moods and feelings can fluctuate considerably during trying times. Leaders shouldn’t expect their team members to exhibit the same drive, energy, and level of productivity every day. They need to be patient and watch for signs … [Read more...] about (10/22) Helping Leaders Succeed in Tumultuous Times

According to new research, strategies to motivate workers may backfire if mishandled or lead by the wrong people. According to the study authors:

• Empowerment initiatives can encourage heightened motivation, productivity, and creativity, but the success of these efforts depends on the management style of the person implementing them.
• Managers who value being respected will empower their employees.
• Managers who value being in charge approach motivation in ways that tend to be controlling and dominating.
• Effective empowerment efforts might include allowing subordinates to set their own goals or decide how to accomplish tasks.
• If workers are uncomfortable with their manager’s leadership style, it may help to hold a candid conversation.

You’ve heard a lot about mental health during the pandemic, but are you doing everything you can to help your staff and yourself stay healthy, productive, and engaged? Here is a helpful checklist:

• Address the impact of isolation. Talk to employees and find out how you can help them connect more and better with colleagues, supervisors, clients, vendors, and others. Find out if the technology they have is adequate and what innovations would be most useful. Encourage them to connect with family members in a safe way as well and to seek out friends.
• Encourage work-life balance. Especially for those who are new to remote work or those who are worried about job security post-pandemic, the temptation to check emails, work on projects, and take phone calls at all hours can be tempting. Set clear and realistic expectations for workers, and encourage them to take time off, turn off their devices, and recharge daily.
• Be transparent with information. Anxiety … [Read more...] about (10/20) Managing Mental Health During Trying Times

According to new research, up to two million women across the country are considering taking a leave of absence or dropping out of the workforce completely because of issues related to or exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. Among the findings:

• Less than a third of U.S. companies have adjusted their performance review criteria to account for pandemic-related challenges.
• Only about half of employers have updated employees about their plans for performance reviews or productivity expectations during the pandemic.
• Few employers have managed to address the root causes of employee stress and burnout during the pandemic.
• Many employees, especially parents and caregivers, feel that they have to choose between falling short of pre-pandemic expectations and pushing themselves to maintain an unsustainable pace.
• More than half of companies have increased paid leave, and about a third have added or expanded stipends to offset … [Read more...] about (10/19) 2 Million Women Considering Leaving the Workforce in U.S.

Success, and even survival, moving forward will require managers and other leaders to be online communication masters. Here are some dos and don’ts to sharpen your virtual skills:

• Master the technology. Identify the platforms, such as Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts, and Microsoft Teams, that you’ll need to use and learn about them. Know how to log in from various locations, download any necessary plugins, ensure security, share screens, etc. If you need more training, there are some great tutorials available on YouTube. Test your computer microphone, headset, and webcam; upgrade as needed.
• Find a quiet place. Minimize the opportunities for interruptions, as well as unexpected and disruptive noises (such as garbage trucks or sirens).
• Set the scene. Be aware of what people will see during a video call. Is your room tidyAre there books piled in the corner. Create an attractive, well-lit setting for your video meetings.
• Dress appropriately. … [Read more...] about (10/16) Work in a Virtual World Means Mastering the Technology

A new study suggests that employees who say they have stronger relationships with their boss are more likely to engage in bad or unethical behavior on this person’s behalf. Among the findings:

• Employees were more likely to engage in unethical behaviors if they believed it helped their boss.
• Workers show this unethical behavior was a way of rewarding their boss for his/her dedication to them.
• Employees who said they don’t have a good relationship with their boss are more likely to engage in unethical behaviors to support themselves, often at the expense of their boss.

Narcissists are characterized by a reluctance to collaborate and a habit of skirting the rules. However, when these people get into leadership positions, they can hurt teams and cultures. According to a new study:

• Narcissistic leaders can place entire organizations at risk because of their “diffused but pervasive ‘dark side’ impact” on the cultures they unintentionally create.
• Narcissists prefer cultures that “blur ethical boundaries” and undermine collaboration.
• When promoted to leadership roles, narcissists often encourage rules and employee engagement that border on unethical and encourage unhealthy competition and lack of cooperation.

A new study suggests that people who show the highest levels of stress also have the least engagement at work. However, there is some good news: The right kind of boss can help reduce stress and boost engagement. Among other highlights of this study:

• The more employees think about COVID-19 related deaths, the more anxious they are and the less engaged they feel.
• Employee anxiety and engagement are influenced by the kind of boss they have.
• Employees feel and work better if their boss exhibits “servant leadership,” prioritizing fulfillment of others’ needs, attention to others’ emotional suffering, efforts to empower workers, and emphasizing community service.
• Workers who rate their supervisors higher on servant leadership show less anxiety and are more engaged with their jobs.
• Servant leaders care about employee well-being and prioritize the personal growth and happiness of their teams.
• Servant leaders help their … [Read more...] about (10/13) Pandemic-Related Stress Leads to Less Employee Engagement

Findings from a recent survey suggest that your employees are not okay, despite what they may say or do. In fact, they are feeling tired and overloaded. The good news is that there are some steps you can take to help:

• Improve operational scalability and flexibility. Look for innovative ways to support employees, whether they are working onsite or remotely. At the same time, devise opportunities for remote and onsite workers to engage, interact, and communicate regularly and effectively.
• Apply AI, automation, and other technologies to help make workflows more “intelligent.” This means identifying and investing in technology that is secure, responsive, user-friendly, and reliable.
• Lead, engage, and enable the workforce to handle the challenges hitting them at warp speed. Increasingly, your employees need and expect you to support their physical and emotional health, as well as their work-related duties and activities. They will want and need new … [Read more...] about (10/12) 3 Steps to Thrive, Not Just Survive, During COVID-19