Trader Joe's is facing a social media backlash and calls for a boycott after New York City employee Ben Bonnema tweeted that he'd been fired after sending an email to CEO Dan Bane requesting improved COVID-19 worker safety measures. "We have never, and would never, terminate a Crew Member's employment for raising safety concerns," said company spokeswoman Kenya Friend-Daniel.

A Black female senior manager at Amazon Web Services has filed a federal lawsuit against the company and two executives in Washington, D.C., alleging pay inequity, racial and gender discrimination, and a claim of sexual harassment and assault. The allegations involve former directors Andres Maz and Steve Block, and an Amazon spokesperson stated, "Amazon works hard to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture, and these allegations do not reflect those efforts or our values."

Leaders in Northeast Ohio's Cuyahoga County are using a sector partnerships approach to address talent gaps in the local workforce. Kirtland Consulting's Caroline Taich explains how local employers partner with training, education and other service providers to help new workers transition to jobs within the local economy's most important sectors.

Companies such as Herman Miller and Michelin have created programs that offer their employees new opportunities to work after retirement or the ability to phase-in retirement over a couple of years. David Stafford, a Michelin North America vice president, said retirees have a large pool of knowledge and skills and help the company have a flexible workforce.

Companies that want to avoid costly legal issues will create a culture where managers feel free to address office conflict in a straightforward, prompt way, knowing senior leaders will support them, writes Marlene Chism. "With the right cultural support, some skills and a few guiding rules, conflict can be a catalyst for collaboration and leadership growth," she writes.

Kupuna is the Hawaiian word for grandparent or ancestor. Hawaiian culture pays deep respect to the kupuna. We honor those who went before us for their wisdom and life experiences. We know we can learn from them.
 
And we should. They’re a valuable pool of knowledge and skills, as we see in today’s Benefits & Compensation story. Hats off to Michelin and Herman Miller for the programs they’ve implemented with their retirees. These individuals offer a great deal of intellectual capital that we should not miss.

What have you learned from those who went before you? Let me know. Know someone who needs to receive this newsletter? Send them this link to subscribe.