US wage growth has slowed, with average hourly earnings rising 3.9% in 2023, a dip from 5.9% in 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This trend is driven by a cooling labor market, higher operational costs for companies and the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes.
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All Square, a diner in Minneapolis that serves gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, hires only former inmates to help them reintegrate into society. Founded by civil rights lawyer Emily Hunt Turner, the restaurant offers therapy, workshops and debt relief, and it has helped ex-convicts launch businesses. "If I didn't come across All Square, to be honest, I don't think I'd be down the path I'm on now," says Taqee Abdul-Hakim, a former fellow in the program.
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Terry Crews speaks onstage at the Men’s Health Lab hosted by Hearst Magazines at Hearst Tower. (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Actor and former professional football player Terry Crews encouraged people to be creative and avoid judging themselves in their health and fitness journey during a recent Men's Health Lab panel. Crews urged people to focus on their own self-improvement instead of other people's performance. "I know for me, even as you get older, you see people start to run past you. You lose heart," Crews said. "But the thing is, now, I learn to say to myself, I'll see you at the finish line. You can't run uphill with downhill thoughts."
Assembly Bill 388, which would have widened paid leave benefits for Nevada's workforce, recently received a veto from Gov. Joe Lombardo. The bill would have extended paid leave to both public and private sector workers by reducing the eligibility period and increasing the leave entitlement. It also would have extended the list of acceptable reasons for taking leave.
Psychosocial risk assessments are pivotal in change management and restructuring to prevent significant legal risks, says Sarah Clarke, a partner at King & Wood Mallesons. Companies must manage workplace hazards like job demands and poor support, which can lead to psychological harm. "This may require a multi-disciplinary team of HR, workplace health and safety and legal to look at the changes and assess the impact on employees from a psychosocial risk perspective," Clarke said.
Serving up gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches at All Square, a Minneapolis, Minn.-based restaurant, put Taqee Abdul-Hakim on a new track in life, following his release from prison in 2022. As we see in our Recruitment & Retention story today, the former felon credits the job for providing him with stability, financially and socially.
“I needed to reshape my friend group after I got out,” Abdul-Hakim said. “At All Square, it was nice to have those types of friends who are in the same position as me, who have been through it but trying to better our lives at the same time.”
I get it. Starting over meant making massive changes to his life, including cutting ties with former friends. Working with others who were in the same boat seemed to provide the accountability and motivation he needed to stay on track.
And it appears he has. He was able to secure an apartment for himself and his two children and enroll one of them in gymnastics. This is where his story rang true for me. I was a single mother. It was a battle to maintain a home for the kids and me, and keep them both in extracurricular activities -- law enforcement training and club soccer. Every month was a struggle.
But we were better for it. It taught me that I can do really hard things -- and that it’s easier to do those things if I don’t complain and accept help when it’s offered. The kids learned the value of exercise and activities outside of school. They also (later) appreciated what it took for me to manage everything. It was a life lesson that we needed.
I’m willing to bet that most of us have had to start over at some point in our lives -- divorce, bankruptcy, new career. Could be anything. Finding your legs in this situation is tough. But muscling through tough makes us tough and eventually successful. I hope Taqee’s story encourages you today.
Have a great week all!
– Kanoe
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