US job openings declined by 34,000 to a seasonally adjusted 9.58 million in June, according to the Labor Department. That marks the lowest level since April 2021, while layoffs were slightly lower at 1.53 million. Full Story: CNBC (8/1),Reuters (8/1)
Elevate your leadership and strategy skills. Activate and hone your HR strategy and leadership qualities to find ways to more easily adapt to the demands of the workplace and make better decisions. Gain practical skills and cutting-edge strategies at a time and place that is most convenient for you. Explore SHRM Seminars today!
ADVERTISEMENT:
Recruiting & Retention
Opinion: The power of "tentative language" Conventional wisdom advises women to stop using "weak language" -- such as hedges or disclaimers -- so they can achieve their professional goals, but research paints a more nuanced picture, writes Wharton organizational psychologist Adam Grant. This kind of language -- known also as "tentative language" -- is "a way to convey interpersonal sensitivity -- interest in other people's perspectives -- and that's why it's powerful," Grant notes. Full Story: The New York Times (7/31)
Black workers face challenges to mental health support Black employees were more likely to say their mental health was "fair/poor" and that discussing mental health at work is difficult due to their ethnicity, race, cultural background or gender identity, compared with white, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian American/Pacific Islander counterparts, according to a report from the National Alliance on Mental Illness and The Hartford. Black Americans were also more likely to say they experienced exclusion, hostility and discrimination at work that affected their mental health. Full Story: HR Dive (7/31)
The Growing Futures program in Lodi, Calif., is aiming to boost the region's wine industry by providing technical education and internships to prepare students for careers in the wine and hospitality industries. As the crop value quadruples and the number of independent wineries increases, this initiative serves as a career pathway for students, addressing the skills gap and supporting family farms in the area. Full Story: The 74 (8/1)
Songwriter Paul Simon's habit of "leaving a space" after difficult lyrics to let others catch up translates beautifully into a leadership lesson: "You have to make space for others to join you," says consultant Larry Robertson. Leaders who pause are letting others into the process, which can broaden or focus ideas and help eliminate mistakes. Full Story: SmartBrief/Leadership (8/1)
SmartBreak: Question of the Day
The US and Myanmar are the two countries that haven't adopted the metric system. What country is also a metric system holdout?
I was at a graduation luncheon recently for my hanai daughter Eleana. I wound up in a conversation with one of her friends, a smart young gal named Julia. Julia graduated last year from University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in environmental science. She is now working as a sales director for a winery in northern California. We chatted about her job and what she’s discovered in her first year after college. “I’m not doing what I studied, but I needed a job,” she said between bites of her sandwich. “Life works like that, kiddo,” I said, nodding my head. “And your degree isn’t in vain. That bachelor’s degree is what got you in front of the hiring manager. Are you enjoying it?” She loves the work, she told me. She never saw herself in sales, but she has discovered she’s good at it (“And the money is great,” she said.) Plus, her science background came in handy when she was learning about the industry and the intricacies of wine production. “I never saw myself going into this field,” she told me. “But it’s a great job and I’ve got room to grow.” I thought about Julia as I read today’s Path to Workforce story about a career-technical education program in Lodi, Calif. that prepares students for careers in the wine and hospitality industries. I like these types of initiatives because they expose young people to opportunities they may not have thought of -- or knew existed. They can explore something new, which could lead to a job or spark ideas for another field they hadn’t yet considered. How are you nurturing the talent pipeline for your industry? Do you mentor students or talk to them about your work? If you’re not, I encourage you to do so. Jobs are changing, and young people have discovered that the line from college to career isn’t always straight. They are hungry for information, but often don’t know where to look or what questions to ask. That’s where we can come in with direction and support. Let me know if you’re mentoring students or developing career learning programs. I’d love to hear about them. And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also.
Sharing SmartBrief on Workforce with your network keeps the quality of content high and these newsletters free.
