Su put forward to replace Walsh as labor secretary | Young workers are job hunting. Here's how to keep them | Corporate culture is key during economic uncertainty
President Joe Biden plans to nominate Julie Su to replace the departing Marty Walsh as labor secretary. Su serves as deputy labor secretary, a role in which she has received support from unions.
The key to retaining the youngest members of your workforce -- which surveys show 70% of them plan to quit their jobs this year -- is to offer job flexibility and respect and validation for their contributions to your company, says S. Chris Edmonds, founder and CEO with The Purposeful Culture Group. "When employees are treated with respect and are validated at work, loyalty increases, proactive problem solving increases, productivity grows and cooperative teamwork increases," Edmonds says.
Listen Platform, a Pwc Product Companies should create strong employee experiences to boost retention. Discover the six key drivers to creating a more engaged and happy workforce. Get the eBook
Psychiatrist Dr. Jessi Gold of the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis said workplace burnout often arises from a lack of control, a dysfunctional environment or a significant gap between what the individual expects of a job and what it turns out to be. Recovery may be achieved through peer support, schedule adjustments, leaving work-related concerns at the office, identifying personal coping skills and talking to a primary care physician, therapist or career coach.
A felony conviction can leave job seekers feeling anxious and as though they are seen only for their previous actions rather than the people they are now, says Genevieve Rimer, who initially wanted to pursue teaching but couldn't due to a felony. Rimer now has a graduate degree in social work and leads a LinkedIn program to prepare people for jobs after incarceration and notes that skills learned in prison are transferable afterward.
Diversity, equity and inclusion positions in the US have quadrupled in the past five years, according to 2022 report from McKinsey & Co. Senior DEI officials at U.S. Bank, Best Buy and ADP discuss why these roles are so important and the initiatives they are leading.
I remember when Samantha got out of prison. Convicted of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from her employer, she was originally sentenced to serve two-and-a-half years but was released after serving a little more than a year. She moved into a halfway home in northern California and began the long process of rebuilding her life -- reuniting with her children, finding a new place to live and securing employment.
I knew the employment piece would be a challenge. Samantha had been an accountant. She couldn’t return to that field and her felony conviction would be a barrier with other employers as well. She had an uphill climb.
“If you’ve been sentenced, and you serve that sentence, and you’re out, it shouldn’t be that you’re resentenced every day for the rest of your life; we just don’t believe that. What we’ve got to do is find the right employment context for you,” said Taylor during a media briefing with reporters at a previous SHRM annual conference.
Taylor is right. I believe in accountability for choices but when people are done serving their time, they need to get on with their lives and contribute to society in constructive ways. And much of that begins with legitimate employment.
Today’s Path to Workforce story talks about a new program through LinkedIn that aims to teach people who were formerly incarcerated how to secure employment. Courses cover everything from building confidence, to crafting a resume and building a network, to searching and interviewing for a job. Genevieve Rimer, who was formerly incarcerated, leads the program.
I like it. I think it’s a practical solution for individuals and employers. But what do you think? Does your organization employ people with criminal records? How do you manage that hiring process and ensure those employees can be successful? Let me know! And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also.
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