Report: Employees without sick pay quit more often | Troopers' lawsuit accuses Md. State Police of racial bias | Execs report lower work satisfaction amid workplace shifts
Employees who had no paid sick time quit up to four times more often than others during the pandemic from 2019 to 2021, according to a report issued by the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis. "American workers deserve to know that, no matter what crisis they may face, they will not have to choose between keeping their families fed and caring for themselves and their loved ones," said subcommittee Chairman James Clyburn, D-S.C., who suggested the report indicates the need for universal paid leave.
Exploiting Long-Term Inefficiencies in Today's Credit Markets Henry Peabody, Fixed Income Portfolio Manager, and Robert M. Almeida, Global Investment Strategist examine the shifting landscape across the US credit markets and how long-term active managers can try to exploit the market's short-term focus to add alpha. Learn more
A lawsuit seeking class status accuses the Maryland State Police of racial discrimination, with one former trooper and two current ones saying employees of color were the targets of racist behavior by others, received "less favorable and/or more dangerous assignments and shifts" and faced retaliation. The agency also is undergoing a Justice Department investigation concerning allegations of racial bias with regard to hiring and advancement opportunities.
Most American workers report being behind on their retirement savings, with inflation cited as a key headwind, according to a Bankrate survey. The survey found differences across demographic groups, with concerns about retirement preparedness mounting for members of older generations.
HR expert and Leapgen CEO Jason Averbook says any company looking to roll out new HR tech in January would be well-served to begin research now. He says HR companies can no longer wait 3 to 5 years to update their tech if they would like to retain employees.
Companies such as Nike use digital matchmaking platforms to pair people for mentorship programs, which studies have shown can help with diversity, equity and inclusion, put employees onto a clear career path and reduce burnout in remote working environments. "We were able to share packages with our internal stakeholders to show how the programming is impacting the bottom line," says Crystal Neill, global diversity, equity and inclusion development senior manager for Nike.
It was fall 2020 and my friend Aaron and I were having dinner at our favorite Mexican place. Aaron is a high-school English teacher. We were talking about the school year and what it was like to teach remotely. Kids didn’t like turning on their cameras, he told me. It had initially unnerved him, but he got tired of fighting them and decided he didn’t care.
“I just said ‘Screw it,’” he told me, holding his burrito in midair. “They don’t turn on their cameras, I don’t turn on mine. I don’t even get dressed. I just wear whatever.” He took a bite of the burrito.
I put down my fork. Aaron and I were old friends so I knew I could be honest.
“Dude, you gotta turn on your camera. And you gotta get dressed in real clothes, like for the classroom,” I told him.
“Why? They don’t,” he said, taking another bite.
“Because you’re the freaking professional,” I said, leaning in and looking him in the eye. “I don’t expect a bunch of TikToking, Cheeto-eating teenagers to care. But I do expect us -- the college-educated adults who are good at our jobs -- to care. We get dressed for work. We turn on our cameras. We show them what professionalism looks like.”
Again, the burrito in mid air, as he considered my words. He nodded. “You’re right. That’s fair,” he conceded. We went back to our meals and changed the subject.
I thought of that conversation this morning as I read today’s Leadership & Development story about Proto M, a “holoportation” tool that lets users “see people in different locations as pint-sized, full-body, livestreamed ‘hologram.’” It's an interesting concept. I get it.
Because even as we move increasingly faster to a remote-working world, we still need to connect with each other, in human form. We need to talk about projects, review strategies and wrestle with problems. I don't think we have to be in the same room for all of these moments. But I do think that we should be able to see each other -- Zoom, FaceTime or Proto M. The human connection matters.
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