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US regulators have received complaints from employees in health care, retail, trucking and other sectors about a rise in the use of what some call Training Repayment Agreement Provisions, or TRAPs, which some employers use to recoup training costs from workers who leave. "Employers are looking for ways to keep their workers from quitting without raising wages or improving working conditions," said Jonathan Harris, a teacher at the Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. Full Story: Reuters (10/17)
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Recruiting & Retention
Pandemic-era labor market brings flexibility The pandemic has given workers more power than their predecessors, and University of Michigan professor Erin Cech asserts they should be using that considerable negotiating power. Cech writes that workers should ask for remote and flexible work-from-home options that would not have been available even a few years ago. Full Story: Harvard Business Review (tiered subscription model) (10/13)
HR is constantly changing, don't fall behind Ensure you are prepared for the evolving world of work with SHRM educational programs. With a wide variety of courses to choose from, there is something for everyone. Find yours today.
Exploiting Long-Term Inefficiencies in Today's Credit Markets Robert M. Almeida, Global Investment Strategist & Portfolio Manager and Henry Peabody, Fixed Income Portfolio Manager examine the shifting landscape across the US credit markets and how long-term active managers can try to exploit the market's short-term focus to add alpha. Learn more
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Even small amounts of exercise can benefit brain health Regular physical activity can play a role in brain health and memory, but exercise doesn't have to be high-intensity or high-volume to make a difference. Research suggests that even small changes such as walking 15 minutes a day or using the stairs can positively impact brain health, and physician Michael Roizen of Cleveland Clinic explains that physical activity "turns on a gene in your muscles that produces irisin that crosses the blood-brain barrier and increases your brain's memory center size and connections." Full Story: Parade (10/13)
Benefits & Compensation
Opinion: Employers, staff can get more out of HSAs The popularity of health savings accounts has increased since their introduction in 2004, but research indicates many staff members don't understand the full range of benefits they provide, writes William Stuart of Voya Financial. Employers and team members should be aware that HSA contributions don't incur payroll taxes and HSA users can invest balances, among other benefits, Stuart writes. Full Story: Employee Benefit News (free registration) (10/14)
The HR Leader
3 steps to creating an internal path for new leaders Develop an internal pipeline for new leaders in your organization by looking for confident, responsible team members, providing a transparent process for advancement and giving them permission to voice their opinions and ideas, writes Rashan Dixon. "Current leaders should embrace a growth mindset that is open to regularly assessing business activity, identifying issues and pivoting to make adjustments -- all while inviting future leaders in on the process," Dixon writes. Full Story: SmartBrief/Leadership (10/14)
I was catching up with a family member a few months back and asked about her MBA program. I was curious about the coursework and time investment because I’d been considering it also. It was done, she told me with a sigh of relief. She answered my questions and I asked what she was going to be doing now. That’s when she explained she had quit that job and moved on to another job, with a higher title and salary. I was a bit surprised. I knew her previous employer had picked up a chunk (and possibly all) of the cost of her MBA. I understood why she left the company but still I wondered what management thought of their graduate school investment basically walking out the door. Would this have an impact on others who wanted to pursue advanced degrees? Would they rethink their policy? These are the questions that popped into my head today as I read our top story about TRAPs. More employers appear to be offering professional development and educational opportunities as a way to retain workers and keep them engaged in their work. Makes sense. But how do you keep that investment from walking out the door once the education or training is done? Or is that even a priority? Do employers just assume that’s a risk they have to take? What do you think? Let me know! And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also.
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