Flight attendants juggle multiple jobs to stay afloat | Retirement plans can boost retention and reduce costs | 6 humble leadership traits that will get attention
Flight attendants picket for better pay and working conditions. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
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. Full Story: The Washington Post (8/26)
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Recruiting & Retention
Retirement plans can boost retention and reduce costs 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. Full Story: Forbes (tiered subscription model) (8/21)
Creating career pathways to boost employee engagement 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. Full Story: Training magazine (8/26)
Benefits & Compensation
More employers consider bypassing health insurers 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. Full Story: Fierce Healthcare (8/22)
The HR Leader
Don't ignore the elephant, or the donkey, in the room 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. Full Story: Ragan (8/26)
SmartBreak: Question of the Day
Meetings known as the San Francisco Conference that took place between April and June in 1945 resulted in the creation of which of these organizations?
I liked Matt* a lot. He was a kind man who enjoyed movies and spoke lovingly of his family. My desk was near his in the office and we had a friendly working relationship. But he was a poor manager. He wasn’t unfair and did not have a difficult personality, but he was the wrong fit for the market and the role. He made product decisions that left us puzzled. He provided input on editorial and art decisions that irritated the directors in those groups. He was okay on sales calls, but his lack of true market understanding became obvious over time and customers could see it. And yet, Matt did not see this in himself. He wasn't cocky, but he still did not have the humility to see these truths. We liked and respected him as a human being, but none of us saw him as a true leader. We lost good people under his leadership. He was later replaced in his role and pushed out of the company. Leaders who lack humility will drive their teams into failure, as we see in our Leadership & Development story today. Their blindspots will cause them to lose good people and the respect of those around them. People will only pretend that the emperor is wearing clothes for so long. After a while, the truth will emerge and it might be an ugly unveiling. How can I serve you better with this brief? Let me know! And if you like this brief, send it to a friend. *Name changed to preserve privacy.
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