Retention & Engagement

During the pandemic, organizational leaders learned the importance of resilience. Helping staff be more resilient gives them tools and skills to recover from difficult situations and crises and see the light in dark times. Defined by the U.S. Department of Heath and Human Services as “the ability to withstand, adapt to, and recover from adversity and stress,” resilience helps teams to effectively respond to and recover from crises and problem-solve with agility and creativity. … [Read more...] about Helping Staff Bounce Back Boosts Their Mental Health

The loss of a pet is a deeply painful experience for animal lovers. An employer who gives them time to grieve can win their loyalty and improve morale and productivity. Over two-thirds of Americans own at least one pet, and most say that their pet is an important part of their family. According to a recent Harris Poll survey, 89% of pet owners said they got much comfort from their animal during the pandemic. So it’s not surprising that people suffer when they lose a pet and want time off to grieve. … [Read more...] about Pet Bereavement Policy: The Win-Win Benefit You’re Missing

Think you know what workers want? A new survey suggests there’s a gap between employer perceptions and what their employees say about what motivates them to stay with their organization. In a new survey from Paychex, 30% of employees said that perceived job stability is the most important reason to stay with their employer, and 60% ranked it in their top three. Nearly half (45%) said feeling that their work is meaningful is most important, 33% cite having a passion for the field. … [Read more...] about Money Matters, But Employees Really Want Stability, Meaningful Work

Generation Z workers are in their 20s and starting their lives and careers. They can help solve your workforce woes. But you need to meet them where they are to get them on your team. Gen Z workers are social media natives who are driven by realism, committed to inclusivity, polarized politically, and fiscally responsible. A Harris Poll provides some insights into what this generation wants and how to attract them to your organization and engage them as employees. … [Read more...] about From A to Z: What You Need to Know to Attract Gen Z Workers

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