A strike has been authorized by Service Employees International Union Local 1000, which represents 95,000 state employees in California, including nurses, engineers and administrative workers. The union has been negotiating a contract since April but has yet to reach an agreement regarding a 20.5% gender wage gap and health care contributions.

Some talented developers are choosing to work at large corporations such as General Electric rather than startups, which tend to offer lower salaries but potentially valuable stock options. The shift comes at a time when venture capitalists have become more cautious and enthusiasm for unicorn startups has waned.

Companies are taking an ergonomic approach to employee wellness to see if changing the work environment can have positive effects on physical and mental health. Experts said ergonomic changes could include adding a wellness room, private space for nursing mothers, sit-stand desks and telecommuting options.

Women ask for raises as often as their male counterparts but are less likely to get them, according to university researchers. The findings suggest that erasing the gender gap is about changing how employers respond to their employees.

Drawing more girls to science, technology, engineering and math fields helps to support the global workforce, writes Eboni Camille Chillis, coordinator of career, technical and agricultural education for Clayton County Public Schools in Georgia. Early-literacy campaigns, mentorship programs and interdisciplinary projects are some ways educators can get students to explore STEM concepts, she notes.

Even smaller companies can benefit from a formal company education program, writes Derek Nelson of Clique Studios. Put someone in charge of building the program, host focused internal training sessions and reach beyond your walls to collaborate with complementary companies.