Supreme Court Sabbath appeal has workplace implications | Weekly jobless claims rose higher than expected last week | JPMorgan asks managing directors to return to office
A ruling by the Supreme Court in a lawsuit brought by former postal worker Gerald Groff against the US Postal Service claiming he was unfairly discriminated against when he refused to work on the Sabbath, has implications for workplaces and employers across the country. According to Groff, his supervisor allowed him to exchange routes initially to avoid working Sundays but after a year, reversed her decision, saying, "...I'm not going to put up with your [expletive] this year…[a]nd basically, you're going to have to find another job or you're going to work Sundays this time." Full Story: ABC News (4/13)
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Recruiting & Retention
Weekly jobless claims rose higher than expected last week Initial claims for unemployment benefits rose to a seasonally adjusted 239,000 last week, up 11,000 from the prior period and above the estimate of economists surveyed by Reuters. If claims were to rise above 270,000, that would indicate deterioration in the job market, according to economists. Full Story: Reuters (4/13)
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Many workers unaware of mental health benefits A survey by TELUS Health showed that 21% of US employees are at high mental health risk and 42% are at moderate risk, but many people remain unaware of the mental health resources available to them through workplace benefit programs. Paula Allen of TELUS Health said communication that workers can relate to, that includes advice on next steps and that is repeated often enough for them to remember can help increase their use of available benefits. Full Story: BenefitsPRO (free registration) (4/11)
The HR Leader
4 tips to project confidence when you speak It's possible to project power and confidence in your speech by eliminating words such as "generally" and "presumably" and replacing them with definitive words like "clearly" or "obviously." Also, rid your speech of filler sounds such as "uh" and "um," and use the present tense instead of the past. Full Story: Knowledge@Wharton (4/11)
Workplace Chatter
Mayor Adams hires "czar" to lead war on rats New York City Mayor Eric Adams has hired Kathleen Corradi, a former elementary school teacher, as the city's first "rat czar" to battle its rodent population. The city plans to spend $3.5 million to combat the problem in what it is calling the "Harlem Rat Exclusion Zone," covering much of Manhattan's northern half. Full Story: The Associated Press (4/12),CNN (4/12)
SmartBrief Podcast Network
How American Airlines is navigating sustainability If you've flown on American Airlines recently, there's a chance your plane was fueled by a small amount of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Jill Blickstein, vice president of sustainability at American Airlines, outlines the latest advancements in SAF, fleet upgrades the airline has made to enhance its sustainability and an AI-enabled system called "Smart Gating" that conserves fuel and saves time for travelers. American Airlines is undertaking numerous initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint, and as Blickstein explains, many of those efforts come in places passengers might not notice but are contributing to more sustainable air travel. Full Story: Sustainability SmartPod (4/11)
SmartBreak: Question of the Day
Bruce Springsteen's song "The Ghost of Tom Joad" references a character in what classic novel? Check your answer here.
Congratulations to Agnes Renee Leihiwahiwaikapolionāmakua Thronas Brown who was named Miss Aloha Hula last night at this year’s Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaii. Thronas Brown dances for halau Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe, under the direction of Tracie and Keawe Lopes. Thronas Brown’s win, like those who won the crown before her, is a testimony of endurance and commitment. Contestants must present two dances -- hula ‘auana and hula kahiko -- and an oli, or chant. Training is demanding, with no room for sick days. Jennifer Oyama Kemfort, who won the title in 2003, says she practiced through knee pain caused by enflamed tissues. Geola Pua, who won the title in 1983, became ill the week before the competition, but still took the stage. “I had really bad asthma, bronchitis and he said, ‘Get on stage.’ I thought, ‘But I’m dying,’” she said. I respect this kind of grit and grind -- the kind that pursues its mission with dogged focus and sacrifice. I want to practice this in my daily life, in every role I serve. And not to win a title or award. Those are fun, but the moments are fleeting. My goal is character -- one defined by love, faithfulness and discipline. That, for me, is the top prize. How can I serve you better with this brief? Let me know! And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also.
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