Retention & Engagement

Solving the staffing crisis is on just about everyone’s wish list going into 2022. While there are no easy answers, some promising trends could mean good news for employers. Over 8 million people are seeking work in this country. Sounds good, right? Well, not when you consider that 10 million workers are needed to fill job openings nationwide. And this situation is particularly dire in senior and long-term care, where providers say they need to hire at least 50% more workers to be fully staffed. So what are the answers? … [Read more...] about Start the Year Off Right with 5 Hot Staffing Trends for 2022

Working all the time not only blurs the line between work and personal life. It hurts morale and can kill productivity. Stress and burnout are more common than ever, and one main contributor is that workers are tethered to their phones 24/7. As a result, many feel that they’re never off the clock; and often managers and colleagues expect responses to emails and texts any time of the day or night. … [Read more...] about Think Twice Before You Send That Late Night Email

If you or someone else is being scapegoated at work, you can take the high road and come out on top. Maria signs onto Zoom for her department’s weekly staff meeting. She is caught up on all her projects, and she’s feeling confident about her performance and her value to the organization. Suddenly, out of nowhere, her boss says that one of their clients is upset and accuses Maria of being responsible. He says she’s fallen behind on deadlines and didn’t return key emails. None of this is true. Marie is shocked. She realizes she is being scapegoated, but she doesn’t know how to respond. If this sounds familiar, either because it’s happened to you or a colleague, you know that scapegoating can hurt morale and engagement and contribute to turnover. Addressing it promptly and appropriately is key to a healthy workplace. … [Read more...] about You Don’t Have to Be a Lion, But Don’t Be a Sacrificial Lamb

Frontline staff have emerged as heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic, but a new report suggests they’re not always treated that way. As a result, some of them may be lured to other industries for better pay and more recognition. “I will always say that this job is not about money – it’s about you working with your heart. But you also have to pay your bills.” This is just one insight from a new report, “Would You Stay: Rethinking Direct Care Job Quality,” that takes a deep dive into how frontline healthcare workers feel about their work, why they might leave, and what it would take for them to stay. … [Read more...] about Despite Rising Unemployment, There’s Stiff Competition for Your Best Caregiving Staff

The longer the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, the harder it is to stay positive, energized, focused, and upbeat. Pandemic fatigue is a real thing, and no one is immune. Maintaining a healthy, happy, productive work environment can be challenging in the best of times. During the pandemic, this can be even more difficult; and with some employees working remotely, pandemic fatigue may not be apparent until it results in problems such as absences, errors, and reduced productivity. … [Read more...] about How to Fight Pandemic Fatigue

During this pandemic and beyond, managers must balance the company’s financial health with employee satisfaction. As a result, many stay awake at night wrestling with salary issues and how they can attract and keep great people with tight budgets. Money is on everyone’s minds these days as unexpected expenses, salary cuts, and mandatory unpaid days off have come with the pandemic. According to new data, managers are thinking a great deal about paychecks during this difficult time. Nearly half (47%) say they are “very concerned” about their organization’s ability to retain valued staff, and 41% are “somewhat concerned.” About a third (39%) attribute their concerns to plans for pay reductions or salary freezes. … [Read more...] about Your Company’s Conundrum: When the Pandemic Punch Hits Payroll

Employers are getting creative in their efforts to support employees’ physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing as the COVID pandemic rages on. Your employees are juggling enormous responsibilities, stresses, and challenges right now; but you can help them eat, live, and feel better. Your efforts to address their wellbeing will not only make their lives happier and healthier; they will enhance productivity, engagement, and innovation on the job. … [Read more...] about COVID Can’t Stop These Inventive Ways to Address Employee Wellbeing

Windowed work is a breath of fresh air for remote workers grappling with pandemic-related challenges. While not a new concept, windowed work is gaining new attention. With more staffers functioning remotely, breaking the workday into specific windows of time for different activities is helping people cope with the stresses of balancing job, family, and other responsibilities. … [Read more...] about Open the Window for Worker Flexibility

The COVID-19 pandemic has been and continues to be scary. But what should you do if their fears keep employees from coming to work? It’s Thursday morning, and three workers call out. One has a dental emergency, one is caring for a sick child, and the other says that she’s not coming in as long as the coronavirus presents a risk. What can you do legally, and what are the worker’s rights? … [Read more...] about When Workers Are Too Afraid to Work