"New-collar workers" emerging in labor force | For Swedes, coffee is secret to job satisfaction | Simply talking can be first step to decrease polarization
Businesses are beginning to identify a new category of workers -- dubbed "new-collar workers" -- who don't have college degrees but possess other skills. Companies are beginning to drop the degree requirement, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that by 2030, 60% of new jobs will not require a degree.
Some companies are adopting the the Swedish tradition of fika ("fee-kah"), where all employees take a collective break from work and connect with each other over coffee and pastries. Swedes say the once- to twice-a-day practice, which includes conversation and board games, helps promote camaraderie, job satisfaction and productivity.
Training professionals can use the six core human needs to identify the source of conflict, writes life coach Jamal Jivanjee. Helping employees look at a core motivation that is being threatened can help them understand and resolve the conflict, Jivanjee writes.
Urologist Dr. David Shusterman explains why it is important that men get timely care for their health needs, as they may be unaware what their symptoms indicate -- for example, sudden fatigue and listlessness may signal the onset of prostate cancer. Shusterman says employers and staff must work together to improve men's health and support productivity.
Political topics and other controversial topics can lead to disagreements over workplace email and other communication systems. It's important to emphasize the critical nature of teamwork, help employees understand different communication styles and train workers on how to deal with conflict that does arise.
I love a good cup of coffee. One of my favorite weekend rituals is to get up early, head down to Vallarta, our local Mexican supermarket, and grab a cafe de olla and pan dulce (the conchas and cochinitos are my favorites). When I’m in Hawaii, it’s an espresso and a couple of malasadas (guava and chocolate haupia -- yum!)
So, you can imagine how I feel about the practice of fika that’s featured in our Recruiting & Retention story today. This is brilliant! Everyone in the organization takes a break at the same time and gathers to chat, play games and socialize over coffee and pastries. This isn’t a group coffee run where folks chatter about meetings or work projects while they stand in line at Starbucks. This is an intentional pause from the work day “to provide space and time for people to connect,” writes Anne Marie Chaker.
“Fika is where we talk life, we talk everything but work itself,” says Micael Dahlen, professor of well-being, welfare and happiness at the Stockholm School of Economics.
Companies implementing the practice say it has improved productivity, innovation and camaraderie among staffers. I can see that happening, as folks get used to it and let go of their “I don’t have time for this -- I have too much to do!” mentality. People would become more efficient with their time; let their hair down and get to know their peers better; and unleash their creativity as they relax and chat over coffee and peanut-butter-and-fudge cookies.
What do you think? What would it take to make this work in your organization? Anyone out there doing this already? Let me know! And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also.
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