InFront on the Workforce

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Survey: Half of Your Staff May Be Planning to Jump Ship

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Especially if your workers are younger, they may be looking for new jobs or even new fields in the coming year. What will you do to keep them?

Even if you’ve crafted, honed, and nurtured a strong staff that is running like a well-oiled machine, there’s no time to rest on your laurels. According to a new American Staffing Association (ASA) survey, nearly half (48%) of U.S. workers are likely to look for a new job in the next year; and 38% say they’re considering switching to a new industry or field altogether.

New Bill Seeks to Increase Diversity in Allied Health Professions

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Bipartisan legislation would provide funding to help recruit more people of color and others into therapy programs, jobs.

A bipartisan bill that would make the field of allied health workers more representative of the populations they serve was introduced in the Senate last week. Sponsored by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), the Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act would create a $5 million-per-year grant program to recruit a more diverse body of professionals in the allied health field, including occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists.

“Having a diverse, abundant, and well-trained healthcare workforce is essential to improving quality of care,” said Sen. Casey. “In order to ensure our healthcare delivery system is successful, we must make allied health training programs as successful as possible. A characteristic of a successful program is a diverse student body.” Sen. Murkowski added, “As the nation struggles with healthcare provider shortages, perhaps no one feels that more than rural areas….” She suggested that many suburban and rural communities could benefit from a “more robust workforce,” especially in the therapy fields.

We’ve Come a Long Way: Or Have We?

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A new report suggests that companies have made progress in supporting and empowering female leaders; but it also shows that significant gender gaps remain.

There are 24% more women at the C-suite level of companies than there were four years ago, according to Women in the Workplace 2019. However, before you boast, “Mission accomplished,” consider that the report also shows that there is 5% less representation of women at the manager level and that women still feel that gender is a barrier to advancement.

Survey: Titles Matter to Employees

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Workers say that job titles impact how they feel about their work, their colleagues, and their company.

How clear and consistent are the job titles at your organization? According to a new study, many workers feel that job titles at their organization don’t necessarily reflect the work performed by people in those roles; and they sometimes feel that they do more work than colleagues who have the same title. Experts suggest that companies put more effort into developing job titles that accurately reflect each person’s responsibilities.

Updates Coming on Fluctuating Workweek Method to Calculate Overtime. Are You Ready?

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The DOL is close to releasing changes to overtime pay rules that could be a game-changer for companies and employees alike.

Watch for updated rules on the fluctuating workweek method of calculating overtime pay to be released soon. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) sent a proposal on this to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) this summer, and the OMB has completed its review. The specifics of the rule won’t be available to the public until its publication in the Federal Register. However, there are some details to help you get prepared for this change, whatever the details are.

Looking Ahead: Home Care Companies Must Tackle Training Troubles

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It’s all about empowerment and innovation. A new report examines ways to overcome the challenges of providing quality training for home care workers.

Don’t underestimate the role of training and education in attracting and retaining a strong, capable caregiver workforce. According to a new report from PHI, “A strong training system is essential for workforce development, job quality, and care quality.” However, the report observes that “the current training system for home care workers is fragmented, inconsistent, and often inadequate.” While training often is uneven, the report stresses that there are “pockets of promise in the home care training landscape, ranging from localized pilot projects to state-level efforts and national demonstrations.”

Too Many Employers Are Lackadaisical but Confident about Cybersecurity

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New survey shows that not enough companies are taking security risks seriously, but some are leading the way with software solutions.

Still think cyberattacks only happen to other companies and people? If you do, you’re not alone. According to a new survey from Paychex, nearly a third (27%) of employers aren’t currently leveraging any type of data security software. Despite this, 81% of respondents say they feel confident that their data is as secure as possible. The truth is that no one is completely safe as hackers become increasingly sophisticated. Fortunately, there are more sophisticated software solutions as well.

Take the Heat Off Employees If Fires Hit

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While caring for residents is top priority, your workers need support, guidance, resources when a fire hits. With a little effort, you can have a big impact.

As wildfires rage in northern California, you may think that you’re immune. However, accidents, industrial explosions, and other disasters could contribute to dangerous, life-threatening blazes anywhere. You have plans in place to ensure the safety of residents, but be sure to take some steps to help your employees through a fire disaster.

From A to ZZZZ: Why Lack of Sleep Could Be a Nightmare for Your Employees, Company

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A new study says many workers don’t get enough sleep, and that could spell real trouble; but you can take steps to keep them healthy and productive.

Are your employees getting enough sleep? According to a new study, many of them aren’t. In fact, researchers found that the prevalence of “short sleep duration” (i.e., fewer than seven hours of sleep per night) in working adults is 35.6%. This lack of sleep is most commonly seen in several specific professions, including healthcare support occupations (45%). Read on for more information from this study and how sleep hygiene education can help your employees sleep–and work–better.

Candidates with Key Soft Skills Are Hard to Find, Say Employers

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According to a new survey, companies need employees with critical thinking, creative problem-solving skills, but most college grads don’t stack up.

Companies want job candidates with soft as well as hard skills, but are having trouble finding candidates who fit the bill. Particularly among recent college grads, a new survey says, employers say that there is a lack of critical thinking and other skills they need workers to have. In fact, 73% of employers describe finding qualified, capable job applicants as “very or somewhat difficult.”