InFront on the Workforce

Long-term and post-acute care publication

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Bridging Skills Gaps to Build a Strong Workforce

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Here’s what employers are doing to fill skills gaps that keep them from finding qualified job candidates.

In a recent survey of HR professionals, 83% said they have had trouble recruiting suitable job candidates in the past year; and 75% said that part of the problem is related to skills gaps. Over half said this concern has worsened in the past two years. Skills most lacking, the survey suggested, are in the medical, science, engineering, and data analysis fields.

Thirty-five percent (35%) of respondents said that candidates don’t have the right technical skills for job openings, while 30% said applicants don’t have the right soft skills (such as problem solving, critical thinking, the ability to deal with complexity and ambiguity, and communication). About a third of respondents said that candidates don’t have necessary work experience. Even when they could find good candidates, 43% of respondents said that competition from other employers was an issue. Just over 30% of HR professionals said that a low number of applicants or lack of interest by job seekers in the organization makes filling positions more difficult.

How Optimistic Are Employers?

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Looking ahead, business owners see some clouds, but staying positive can help weather the storm.

According to a recent survey, business owners are less optimistic about the employment and economic outlook than they were last year. On a scale of 1-100, with 100 being the highest level of optimism, owners’ overall business outlook is six points lower in 2019. Respondents rated their optimism at 71 points in 2018 and 65 in 2019. Their confidence in the country’s economy is down three points from 65 to 62.

CMS Announces Changes to Star Rating That Impact Staffing

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More than ever, you need an engaged, experienced, reliable team to shine.

Stepping up your game on staffing is more urgent than ever after an announcement last week out of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The agency outlined plans to update the star ratings on its Nursing Home Compare website in April to include tougher criteria for staffing level ratios.

Specifically, CMS is setting higher thresholds and evidence-based standards for nursing home staffing levels. According to a news release from the agency, “Nurse staffing has the greatest impact on the quality of care nursing homes deliver, which is why CMS analyzed the relationship between staffing levels and outcomes.”

Time’s Up: Set the Alarm to Improve Inclusion, Retention, Engagement

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Now is the time to pursue opportunities to address issues regarding harassment and inequity.

A manager often scolds and criticizes staff—loudly—in front of others. A practitioner interrupts and dismisses others at meetings. A resident uses racial slurs and sexually suggestive language around caregivers. Qualified individuals are passed over for promotions because of gender or age. When such situations occur, they can lead to morale and performance issues and high turnover rates. They also can hurt an organization’s reputation, making it difficult to attract and keep good employees.

Many women and others in healthcare everywhere—at all levels and in all job categories—have experienced harassment, bullying, and power inequity in the workplace. Recently, a group of women in the field—including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and others–joined together to launch Time’s Up Healthcare, an effort to address sexual harassment and gender inequity in medical communities and organizations everywhere.

Open 24 Hours: The Quality Convenience of the Digital Library

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Give your employees anytime, anywhere access to the training, education, and resources they need.

Poor or inadequate training not only affects how employees feel about their jobs; it can hurt their performance. At the same time, finding the time to identify and attend good training and educational programs can be daunting. The answer may lie in a digital library.

Respecting Religious Freedom in the Workplace

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Federal law prohibits religious discrimination. Are you protecting all of your employees?

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination based on religion. This includes refusing to accommodate an employee’s sincerely-held religious beliefs or practices. Take a few minutes to review the key tenets of workplace religious accommodation and make sure you are protecting all of your employees.

Target Hard and Soft Skills That Are Just Right for Your Employees

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There are thousands of professional skills. Which ones do your workers want and need?

According to at least one survey, employees crave training opportunities. Nearly two-thirds (59%) said it improves their overall job performance, about half (51%) said it enhances their self-confidence, and 41% said it helps them manage time better. But with more than 50,000 professional skills in the world, how do you decide what training options to offer your team? Researchers used LinkedIn data to identify hot topics to focus on for a qualified, skilled workforce in 2019 and beyond.

Study: Industry Disruptions, Human Capital Risk Top Concerns for Execs

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Buckle up. Execs see a workforce roller coaster coming, and they’ll be looking to HR to help them stay on track.

In a recent survey, executives from various industries indicated that they see substantial change, new technology, shortages of skilled workers. and other issues as contributing to a tumultuous future. In fact, 73% of respondents predicted significant industry disruption in the next three years, up from just 26% in 2018. Nonetheless, they see opportunities amidst the challenges; and 4 out of 5 executives believe their companies can lead the way through the ups and downs.

Campaign to Keep Politics from Disrupting the Workplace

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When employees talk politics on the job, it can cause stress, negativity. HR can help turn down the heat on political discourse and ensure a cooler workplace.

In recent years, more people than ever follow and are interested in politics; and many people on all sides of key issues have strong opinions and beliefs. According to a survey by American Psychological Association, at least 1 in 10 working Americans said they have experienced tension or stress, felt more cynical and negative at work, and have had difficulty completely their tasks as a result of political discussions at the office.

Finding the Perfect Recipe for Championship Chatbots

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Combine research, planning, needs assessments, and practicality for chatbots that work for everyone.

Balancing high-tech with high-touch can be a challenge for HR professionals, for whom face-to-face and personal engagements have always been a professional hallmark. However, technologies such as chatbots have become essential to attracting and retaining employees.  Fortunately, there are ways HR can use high-tech chatbots to communicate with potential and existing employees on a personal, individualized basis.