Unemployment claims rise slightly, but positive signs seen | Ways to hire the best without paying the most | Why some companies hold back on revealing pay information
A job applicant receives paperwork for employment during a job fair. (Patrick T. Fallon/Getty Images)
Initial unemployment claims reached a seasonally adjusted 213,000 last week, up from 208,000 the week before, according to Labor Department statistics. Some signs of strength have been seen in the US labor market in recent weeks, including 315,000 jobs added by employers in August, and labor participation rates trending upward.
The rise of the virtual-first health plan The dramatic increase in telemedicine use seen early in the pandemic also fueled the rise of virtual-first health plans, an emerging model that is testing flexible, consumer-centric care for the digital health era. Register for this industry roundtable.
Transparent job listings that highlight company values are among techniques for attracting the best employees without paying more than other companies, online business expert Scott Lieberman writes. Other methods include employee recognition and flexibility regarding schedules and locations.
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Employers often mistake the start of school for the end of working parents' child care challenges, which gives a recruiting and retention advantage to companies that offer child care as a benefit, writes Jessica Chang, CEO of child care network WeeCare. In addition, job listings and company websites should tout care benefits so organizations and workers can reap the rewards, Chang notes.
Good mentors establish trust with their mentees so they can have difficult conversations, help them develop their knowledge and skills and allow them the autonomy they need, say experts. "As a mentor, your role is to help guide and facilitate how that individual solves a problem or tackles an opportunity," says Diane Brink, a senior fellow and adjunct professor at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
If you loved to play hopscotch as a child, head to Chatfield State Park in Littleton, Colo., where you'll find the world's longest hopscotch course, stretching more than 4.37 miles and setting a mark recognized by Guinness World Records. Putting the course together took six days.
Last Saturday I rode my bike down to Burke Williams in Orange for a morning of pampering. (By the way, if you ever walk into a spa with a motorcycle helmet, expect to get odd looks.) I was especially excited for one of the treatments: the wetroom sugar glo. It’s like being in a human car wash. It’s wonderful.
I was in the lounge, sipping vanilla-lemongrass and flipping through the latest Vogue, when the service technician called my name. I got up, smiled and walked over to her.
“I’m Candice. It’s so nice to meet you,” she said, putting her hand gently on my back and guiding me down the hallway. Her voice was monotone and caught my attention.
“I’m deaf,” she told me and began explaining the treatment and how I could communicate with her during it. I was intrigued. The room would be dimly lit, there would be sounds from the showers of water and I would be on my stomach for most of the treatment. I was curious -- but not worried -- about how this would work.
It was a fantastic experience. Candice and I had no trouble communicating -- we used hand signals for some things and she read my lips for others. I relaxed and just enjoyed the treatment.
I thought of Candice when I read today’s Leadership & Development story about DE&I initiatives and how companies can support their workers who have disabilities or are neurodivergent. This is a tough thing to do and many organizations struggle to do it well. Burke Williams has done it right, from what I saw Saturday. They hired an exceptional technician and professional. I look forward to many more treatments with Candice.
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