Starbucks is increasing its in-office work requirement for corporate employees from three to four days a week starting in October, citing the benefits of collaboration. The company is also requiring all corporate "people leaders" to live in Seattle or Toronto within a year, although their team members will not need to relocate. Employees who choose not to move will have the option to leave with a one-time payout, while future hiring for similar roles will be limited to those two cities. Full Story: The Associated Press (7/14)
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Recruiting & Retention
6 components of a skills-first talent system Skill proficiency is now the key to workforce agility, said Shrikant Pattathil, president and chief technology officer at Harbinger Group, in a recent HRchat Podcast discussion about the importance of a skills-first approach in HR technology. Pattathil outlined six components of a skills-first system and highlighted the significant role of artificial intelligence in personalizing learning and development. Full Story: HR Gazette (York, Ontario) (7/15)
Older workers bring experience, stability to workforce Older workers are becoming a significant segment of the workforce, with the labor force participation rate for those 75 and older expected to increase by 96.5% by 2030. Leveraging older workers' experience, extensive professional networks and strong work ethic can provide a competitive edge, Bill Canady writes. Older workers also tend to stay with companies longer, reducing turnover costs and serving as valuable mentors to younger employees. Full Story: Training magazine (7/10)
Benefits & Compensation
Gen Z workers seek mortgage benefits from employers Mortgage benefits are increasingly attractive to Generation Z employees as rising housing costs and high interest rates make home ownership more difficult. A survey by Multiply Mortgage found that 67% of employees value the ability to get lower interest rates through employer-based benefits, and 75% would be more likely to join a company or organization that provides mortgage benefits. Employers can use mortgage benefits as a recruitment and retention tool, with 23% of employees saying the benefits could be a deciding factor in job offer acceptance. Full Story: Employee Benefit News (free registration) (7/10)
Artificial intelligence is transforming corporate learning and development by shifting from a traditional course-based model to a curiosity-driven approach, writes Josh Bersin. AI tools like ChatGPT enable real-time, inquiry-based learning, making employees more productive and engaged. This shift challenges the relevance of traditional L&D methods, urging organizations to adapt to AI-powered learning to remain effective. Full Story: Chief Learning Officer (7/14)
SmartBreak: Question of the Day
Twitter (now X) was launched on July 15, 2006, about 162 years after the first telegram was transmitted. Which country put a full STOP on its telegraph service in 2013?
