The trend of increasing employee-to-seat ratios continues, with more than 60% of organizations now aiming for a sharing ratio of 1.5 workers per desk, according to data from CBRE. Despite the decline in private offices, employees still prefer enclosed meeting spaces for privacy, highlighting the need for quiet zones in modern open-office designs. Full Story: HR Dive (4/4)
HR is often seen as a villain because of organizational shortcomings and lack of visibility, say workplace strategists, who suggest HR should be empowered as a business partner and engage more proactively with employees. "HR's job isn't just policy -- it's storytelling, culture building, connection. And when that shift happens, employees don't just tolerate HR -- they trust them," says strategist Aleya Harris. Full Story: WorkLife (4/1)
Study: Strong benefits support employee retention LIMRA research shows that more than 60% of employees are more likely to stay with their current employers because of a strong benefits package. The study also highlights the evolving role of brokers, with nearly 60% of employers expecting to rely more on them in the next five years. "Carriers need to ensure their technology solutions can easily be integrated into employers' platforms," said Ron Neyer of LIMRA Workplace Benefits Research. Full Story: BenefitsPRO (free registration) (4/3)
The HR Leader
Survey: Employees are frustrated with virtual meetings Employees are getting sick of endless virtual meetings, according to a survey from ClickUp that found 46% of employees have quit due to the malfunctioning collaboration culture of a workplace. Strategies to make virtual meetings more worthwhile include focusing on the meeting's purpose, recording outcomes from meetings and encouraging employees to schedule focus time, says Mandy Mekhail, director of people at ClickUp. Full Story: HR Executive (4/2)
Hoodies are comfortable, but they may project a lack of seriousness in professional settings. Research indicates that business or formal clothing can improve focus and task performance, whereas casual attire might lead to negative judgments. Full Story: Wired (tiered subscription model) (4/3)
About the Editor
Reflections
(Kanoe Namahoe)
Welcome to Friday Faves! Every Friday, I spotlight books, podcasts, articles, email newsletters, documentaries or other content pieces that I enjoy. I also share suggestions that I get from you. Got a favorite for your peers? Send it to me. I may include it here for a future column. Like many of you, I grieved this week when I heard the news that legendary actor Val Kilmer had passed away. I have fond memories of Kilmer. I spent the better part of my sophomore year in high school watching “Top Gun” on repeat and drooling over Iceman and Slider. I seriously considered going to college in San Diego after seeing that movie. Kilmer’s passing prompted me to look into his career. I was struck by his artistic standards. He seemed to dislike the business side of the film industry, which often requires art to be subservient to revenue. In his memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry, Kilmer talks about his first paid acting gig, at 13, when he had to eat a cheeseburger. “The thing tasted like cardboard,” he wrote. “The director kept telling me to put my heart into it. I couldn’t. I didn’t. I walked off the set and never appeared in the commercial and never got paid, my first act of artistic integrity.” Kilmer was devoted to his craft. He was committed to high standards in his work and demanded such from those around him. This earned him a reputation for being difficult, but even his critics acknowledged his extraordinary talent. Kilmer embraced it all. People are not perfect. Those with tremendous skill also have enormous flaws. Kilmer left his mark on film history, as an artist and a professional. I’ll remember him for that. Thanks for the memories, Iceman. Do you enjoy this brief? Share it with others. Want different stories? Something about it bug you? Tell me. In the words of Frasier Crane, “I’m listening.”
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