The challenging financial conditions faced by new flight attendants--illustrated by Kay's experience at Frontier Airlines--have led many to juggle side gigs and live under harsh conditions. Unpaid training periods, low wages, and a complicated pay structure result in insufficient income, forcing some attendants into homelessness and reliance on food pantries. Efforts by unions such as AFA to negotiate better pay and benefits show promise, but many attendants remain in precarious living situations.

Small business owners often view employees as family but may hesitate to offer retirement benefits due to perceived costs and administrative burdens. However, providing a retirement plan is more affordable than many realize, with options costing as little as $2,500 annually for small firms, and tax credits may be available to offset startup costs. Offering retirement benefits can significantly improve employee retention, making it a worthwhile investment for small businesses.

Companies should develop structured career pathways to aid in talent acquisition and retention by using data from applicant tracking systems to identify potential career progressions, implementing corporate mentorship programs and setting clear role-specific qualifications, writes Stephanie Sparks, the director of content marketing at Employ. Regularly revisiting and updating career pathways ensures they align with business objectives and employee aspirations, Sparks notes.

With increased cost to provide health care insurance for themselves and employees, 75% of 150 health benefits leaders said they are having conversations about direct contracting for health care coverage, according to a report from Brighton Health Plan Solutions. Companies can save 6% to 20% on direct contracts compared with typical group health insurance plans, the report says.

With the rapid news cycle and constant access to information, leaders must acknowledge that external social and cultural issues impact their employees and emphasize the importance of mutual respect and staying focused on the "the shared mission and values of the business," says Karen Testa, director of global communications for Bell Flight. "Even though a company may not be directly involved in an external issue or its outcome, good leaders acknowledge current events and work closely with their communications teams, who can serve as a barometer of employee sentiment and human vulnerability," Testa adds.