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Despite Rising Unemployment, There’s Stiff Competition for Your Best Caregiving Staff

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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.

Money Woes Weigh on Workers: They’re Looking to You for Guidance

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Company health and employees’ sense of financial wellness are interconnected; and when workers feel financially secure, they are happier and more productive.

While there has been a move away from company-funded benefits toward more self-directed ones, employers realize that they need to provide tools and guidance to support employees in their efforts to achieve financial health.

How to Fight Pandemic Fatigue

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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.

Should You Fly in the Cloud or Stay Grounded?

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Everyone is talking about the ‘cloud.’ But before you move all of your data, records, and workforce management solutions off premises, consider the pros and cons of both.

There is no denying that the cloud has gained popularity in recent years. Currently, about 70% of organizations use at least one cloud-based HR application, although 40% still use at least one on-premise solution. However, many software vendors no longer produce or sell on-premise products/services, forcing some companies to look to the cloud.

Imagine a World with Living Wages for Direct Care Workers

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A new report suggests that better pay for front-line staff would have a positive domino effect, impacting quality of care, turnover, and financial wellness.

There is little question that direct care workers play an essential role in senior care – from home care to skilled nursing. They not only provide needed care and services, but they also touch residents’ lives, bring joy and laughter, and ward off loneliness. Yet there is a disconnect between these workers’ value and how they are paid. A new report from LeadingAge details how higher wages for direct care workers not only can boost their financial wellbeing but also reduce turnover, improve productivity, and enhance quality of life.

No Crystal Ball, But Court Cases Could Shape the Future

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There is so much going with in regulatory and legislative circles these days, it can make your head spin. However, there are a few upcoming SCOTUS cases employers should keep on their radar.

With the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, a champion for women’s rights and workplace equity, the future of the Supreme Court and the cases it reviews is uncertain. At this point, no one can predict what the coming weeks and months will bring.  While there aren’t many employment-related cases coming before the SCOTUS, there are a few that could impact how employers function in the new year and beyond.

Your Company’s Conundrum: When the Pandemic Punch Hits Payroll

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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.

New Report: Direct Care Workers Remain Undercompensated Superheroes

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The COVID pandemic has put a spotlight on caregivers, but there’s no pot of gold to reward them for their efforts.

“It has taken a significant health crisis for our country to begin seeing the value of our long-term care system and its workforce – but this research shows how much work is needed to address the many barriers facing direct care workers,” says Jodi M. Surgeon, president of national advocacy organization, PHI. However, despite a high demand and growing appreciation for caregivers, wages remain low. This is among the results from a new PHI survey.

Confused about Payroll Tax Suspension? You’re Not Alone

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Employers and employees alike have questions about the new so-called “payroll tax holiday.” Here are the answers you need to decide how this might work and what your next step should be.

Late last month the U.S. Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service issued guidance implementing the Presidential Memorandum allowing employers to defer withholding and payment of employees’ portion of the Social Security tax if the employee’s wages are less than $4,000 during a bi-weekly pay period. However, according to one source, many employers hesitate to implement this program because workers would need to repay deferred taxes in 2021; and this could create a hardship for many individuals.

Six Steps to Great Crisis Leadership

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“Keep your fears to yourself but share your courage with others.” Author Robert Louis Stevenson said this over 100 years ago, but it’s good advice for leaders trying to guide their employees through a pandemic that is complicated by hurricanes and other natural disasters, racial tensions, political division, and other issues.

There are a few steps you can take to help ensure you’re the leader your workers need during these challenging times.