InFront on the Workforce

Long-term and post-acute care publication

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Workforce Concerns Follow Providers to Capitol Hill

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The challenge of attracting more talented workers to healthcare was a hot topic in the nation’s capital this week.

Not surprisingly, addressing workforce shortages was a hot topic of discussion during the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) Congressional Briefing this week in Washington, D.C. Over 400 participants heard from congressional representatives and others about what the future may hold. There was general optimism; and it was clear that many see opportunities arising out of challenges.

Older Workers Represent Golden Opportunity to Solve Workforce Shortage

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More Americans are working longer, and they’re not afraid to take on new challenges.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 40% of people age 55 and older are actively looking for work–because they don’t want to retire or can’t afford to stop working. This demographic, experienced individuals with an eagerness to work, can be a viable source of job candidates and a solution to your workforce shortage. HR should understand who these workers are and how they might be assets for your organization.

It’s 9 a.m.: Do You Know Where Your Employees Are?

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Absence management can save time, trouble, and even legal woes.

Only 1 in 4 HR professionals report having effective absence management programs, according to data from The Standard’s Absence and Disability Readiness Index. Managing absences while ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is an ongoing challenge for HR. However, understanding the facts and taking a few steps to safeguard absence tracking and compliance can help protect your organization and its employees.

Mountains of Data Feel Like Everest?

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HR finds data-mining intimidating, but you can turn high-tech mountains into info-rich molehills.

There is data out there—easily accessible to you—that could do much to support your work and enable better hiring and greater retention and engagement; but you’re not using it. You may not even know it’s there. In fact, a new survey suggests that HR professionals have access to good technology but don’t take advantage of all of the data it provides.

Over a third (39%) of HR professionals said that they have adequate technology and infrastructure but don’t use the data it produces as extensively or effectively as possible. Nearly 30% said their “data maturity” is sufficient to support diverse needs, although only 12% said their technology or tech know-how is advanced enough to support all possible data and analytics efforts.

How Do You Help Employees When Disaster Strikes?

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Five steps help put the “H” in HR center stage when employees need emergency assistance.

While your organization must continue to function well if a flood, hurricane, fire, or other disaster hits, your employees aren’t immune. They can lose their homes, possessions, and their peace of mind, and your compassion and support can make a tremendous difference. Following five steps can help ensure your employees have the tools, resources, and guidance to heal after a disaster.

Survey: Healthcare Organizations Benefit from Women Execs, But Don’t Do Enough to Advance Them

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Health execs say gender parity in leadership would increase profits, reduce turnover.

According to a new Korn Ferry survey of CEOs, CHROs, and other C-suite healthcare executives, women are taking on more leadership roles; but more effort is needed to get women through the glass ceiling. While 80% of healthcare workers are women, they hold only 20% of key leadership positions industrywide; and only 4% of healthcare companies have a female CEO.  While nearly two-thirds (63%) of respondents said that there is more opportunity today than five years ago for women to advance to senior positions, 55% say that women sometimes get passed over for promotions due to their gender.

A Message from the Class of 2016

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Gain a hiring edge: Learn today about the needs, wants of tomorrow’s workforce.

Today’s teenagers and college students will be tomorrow’s job candidates and employees. In your efforts to appeal to this demographic and understand how they might fit in with your organization, take a look at the class of 2016. Their habits, attitudes, interests, and philosophies speak volumes about the newest generation of American workers.

10 Reasons Veterans Are Great Hires

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On Memorial Day and every day, vets bring top-notch training, skills, experience to your workforce.

On Memorial Day, we honor those who died in active military service; but you can honor our military all year long by hiring veterans. Currently, there are nearly one million unemployed vets across the U.S. They possess many skills that make them ideal job candidates, and they can be the answers to your workforce shortage woes. Consider these 10 reasons to focus on hiring veterans.

Lawmakers Acknowledge the Need to Boost the Healthcare Workforce

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New bill supports programs, scholarships, training, more to create skilled, diverse healthcare labor force.

The healthcare workforce shortage is gaining attention in Congress. Most recently, a bill that reauthorizes several health professions education and training programs from 2020 through 2024 was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Michael C. Burgess (R-TX) sponsored the Educating Medical Professionals and Optimizing Workforce Efficiency and Readiness (EMPOWER) for Health Act (H.R. 2781). The bill is designed to help ensure that patients and communities nationwide have access to healthcare professionals, services, and supports by promoting an educated, skilled workforce.

Military Spouses Are Untapped Source of Qualified Employees

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Survey suggests these individuals are eager for work and have education, skills.

With four times higher unemployment than the general population, military spouses may be an untapped source of workers, and a new survey suggests that they are hungry for employment opportunities. According to data from FlexJobs and Blue Star Families, nearly half (46%) of military spouses have felt discriminated against in their job searches; and 91% say that being a military spouse has had a negative impact on their career. Over half (56%) say that they have stopped job hunting because of the difficulties they’ve experienced finding work; and 50% say they’ve tried to hide their status as a military spouse to avoid hiring discrimination.