HR Industry Brief

With more millennials and gen Zers entering the workplace, your employees increasingly will expect your company to demonstrate social responsibility, or sustainability. In fact, in a recent survey 61% of respondents say that this is a “must;” and nearly half say the will only work for companies that are green-conscious. Here are some steps you can take to get on the sustainability path:

• No more paper. E-paper technology, involving an electronic paper alternative that is wireless and sustainable, is gaining popularity and can be integrated with your office technology.
• Make event management fully virtual. Make invoices and contracts, itineraries, handouts, and other materials electronic whenever possible.
• Cut down on commuting. Identify opportunities for workers to telecommute. For those workers who must be onsite, promote carpooling. There is even carpooling software you can use to demonstrate your commitment to green-conscious practices.
… [Read more...] about (8/26) It’s Not Optional: 4 Tips to Create a Culture of Sustainability in the Workplace

Summer’s almost over, but there is still time for a bit of weekend reading. Make the most of your leisure hour with the books HR and benefits leaders say are changing their lives and work: ·         Unaccountable by Marty Makary: A frank account of our healthcare system, why costs are rising, and how our perceptions are different than the reality. ·         How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie: A classic that is still an excellent guide to living a true life without stress. ·         Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family by Bob Chapman: A guide to improving the happiness and wellbeing of your employees. ·         Dying for a Paycheck: How Modern Management Harms Employee Health and Company Performance and What We Can Do about It by Jeffrey Pfeffer: Clear evidence that “schemes” to maximize profits, such as low wages, long hours, and minimal healthcare benefits, don’t work. ·         … [Read more...] about (8/23) Must-Read Books HR and Benefits Professionals Can’t Put Down

According to new data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, while wages are stagnant, health costs for those with employee-sponsored health plans is on the rise: ·         Outpacing inflation, health costs for workers with employee-sponsored plans rose 18% over the past five year. ·         Over the past 10 years, average health spending by families with large employer plans has risen twice as fast as wages. In 2018, health spending for a family of four with such coverage averaged about $22,900, a 56% increase from 2008. ·         Employers paid an average of 66% of employee health plan costs in 2018, down 2% from 2008. ·         Deductibles went up 205% between 2007 and 2017, 10 times the rate of inflation during that same time period. Read the full article. … [Read more...] about (8/22) As Wages Stagnate, Health Costs Escalate for Americans with Employer-Based Insurance

It’s never easy for an organization to lose someone in a leadership position. Change is never easy, but if you prepare for leadership departures, it can ease the process for everyone involved: ·         Start early. Don’t wait until someone is dismissed or submits his or her resignation. Have a plan in place for what will happen, what information the person must provide, what interviews or communications must take place, etc. Review this plan over time to keep it up-to-date as needed. ·         Put a transition team together. Create and involve a team to identify candidates for the job. Work with them to identify skill gaps that need to be filled, establish a timeline for the process – don’t rush it or let it lag, and get and keep everyone in the loop. Consider involving members of the team that this person will be overseeing for their insights about what skills they think their supervisor will need.  ·         Prioritize culture over skills. While you’re seeking candidates … [Read more...] about (8/21) Leaders Don’t Just Leave: 5 Succession Planning Steps

Whether you are old enough to remember 1969, the “Summer of Love,” or just have heard about it from older family members, Woodstock was a significant event in history, and it offers several lessons for leaders as well: ·         Music is powerful. Many studies have demonstrated that listening to music can reduce anxiety, depression, blood pressure, and pain. It also can help people sleep better, and it improves memory, mood, and concentration. Listening to favorite music can re-energize and cheer people in an instant. ·         New learning expands the brain and is essential for both leaders and their teams. It keeps people motivated, engaged, and productive. ·         A shared vision promotes teamwork and loyalty. Leaders need to find ways to bring people together and get them on the same page. They need to help workers see the positive impact of their efforts and how they contribute to a shared vision. ·         Emotions dominate decision-making. Emotional decisions … [Read more...] about (8/20) Woodstock Wisdom and Leadership Lessons 50 Years Later

According to the data, staff turnover is increasing at an alarming rate. The numbers spell it out: ·         Employees are quitting jobs at the highest rate in years, with a monthly rate of 2.6%, or about 30% turnover over a one-year period. The highest turnover rate is in the American south at 29.9%. Lowest turnover, at 19.6%, is in the northeast. ·         Recruiters report that up to 85% of employees respond positively when approached about a new job opportunity. ·         Turnover costs up to 40% of a company’s earnings. ·         Replacing an employee can cost up to four times the salary for that position. ·         As a result of soaring turnover, more organizations (63%) say they are prioritizing retention. Read the full article. … [Read more...] about (8/19) Why Your Employee Turnover Is Exploding – Explained by the Numbers

“Connector managers,” those leaders who are curious about people and ideas, open to learning from various perspectives, and are courageous in difficult situations, may be best equipped to bring out the best in your teams. Here’s why: ·         They are confident about their decisions and don’t hesitate to make difficult choices. ·         They are aware of their strengths and weakness and willing to show their vulnerabilities. ·         They are generous with their time for coaching others, and they share credit for results. ·         They understand and appreciate collaboration and cognitive diversity. ·         They possess “social perceptiveness,” the ability to pick up on subtle cues when they are interacting with people. Read the full article. … [Read more...] about (8/16) How to Bring Out the Best in Teams

A new study suggests that taking a break from social media and your dependence on electronic devices can make your vacation more enjoyable and energizing. The findings reveal that: ·         Many people experience anxiety, frustration, and withdrawal symptoms at first. ·         There is a growing demand for “digital detox holidays,” as more people tire of the constant pressure to stay connected electronically. ·         By disconnecting from their devices, respondents say they spent more time with family and other traveling companions; additionally, they engaged more with other travels and locals. ·         Respondents, even those who took longer to adjust to being device-free, say they were more attentive and focused on their surroundings and enjoyed the break from constant interruptions. ·         A downside for respondents, however, was the overwhelming number of messages and notifications that were waiting for them when they reconnected. [Read more...] about (8/15) Unplugging from Social Media on Vacation? It’s Tough at First

It’s time to bring innovation, efficiency, and tech solutions to some common business functions in your organization. These include: ·         Customer support. Look to innovations such as cloud-based solutions, the implementation of Artificial Intelligence and machine learning, and using mobile apps and other smartphone capabilities. ·         Finance business processes. Consider process mining as a way to identify opportunities for improved productivity and working capital. ·         Data entry automation. Look at machine learning solutions that enable inexpensive, accurate ways to extract and organize data. ·         Employee mental health. Apps, interactive training programs, and access to services such as online counseling and support groups can help improve employees’ access to the information and support they need. ·         Employee life cycle planning. Consider mapping an employee’s life cycle, annual reviews, and raise timelines early on, and include … [Read more...] about (8/14) 15 Everyday Business Functions in Need of Innovation

The prevalence of burnout is growing and taking its toll on your workforce. However, according to experts, there are some steps you can take: ·         Get buy-in from C-suite execs by presenting research showing the positive impact of workplace wellness on reducing stress, healthcare utilization/costs, productivity. ·         Create an open, non-judgmental culture where people feel safe and comfortable talking about stress and their need for help. Some organizations have begun having new employees sign a “contract” stating that if they feel stressed out or overwhelmed, they will talk to their supervisor/manager. ·         Teach managers to watch for signs of burnout, such as employees working longer hours or skipping lunch to get their work done. ·         Include a discussion of personal well-being in performance reviews. ·         Encourage leaders to model behavior. For instance, they should resist the urge to send emails or texts at midnight or on weekends when … [Read more...] about (8/13) What To Do about Employee Burnout