Miami's chief heat officer lobbies for worker safety | Tyson recruiting immigrants for high turnover factory work | Improve connection by learning to "read" people
Jane Gilbert, chief heat officer for Miami-Dade County, is prioritizing working with employers to protect outdoor laborers in construction, agriculture and other jobs from the extreme heat that is becoming a bigger issue in the city of 2.6 million. Florida lawmakers are considering legislation to ban mandatory water breaks, but Gilbert intends to use federal regulations to persuade employers that a heat safety plan will improve productivity and retention.
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Tyson Foods is partnering with the nonprofit Tent Partnership for Refugees to fill its vacancies with some of the 181,400 migrants who have come to New York City. The meatpacker’s workforce of 120,000 includes 42,000 immigrants and the company is offering legal aid assistance to retain workers in the industry that has a high turnover rate.
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A study in South Korea found that walking and playing with a pet were linked to an increase in alpha wave strength, which is associated with better memory and reduced mental stress, and gently massaging, grooming and playing with a pet were linked to stronger beta waves, which are associated with heightened concentration and attention. The findings were published in the journal PLOS One.
Empathetic benefits that help employees achieve work-life balance, support their health and wellbeing and give them flexibility are a primary way of creating a productive workforce, writes Marcy Klipfel, chief engagement officer at Businessolver. The right benefits package, developed with employee input, is a valuable recruiting and retention tool with a high rate of return.
Taboo topics should make their way back into discussions at work, says Christina Wing, Harvard Business School senior lecturer and author of "Unspeakable," who recommends five rules for such conversations. Allowing and embarking on honest, constructive conversations about money, age, health, politics and family not only can improve company morale but boost company performance too, Wing says.
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SmartBreak: Question of the Day
The "Grand Slam" of golf consists of The Masters, PGA Championship, US Open and The Open Championship. Who was first to win them all within a calendar year?
Chopper is a 65-pound, three-year-old English bulldog. He belongs to a friend of mine. This dog is a character. He’s like a very sweet, very sensitive, oversized kindergartener who doesn’t know his own strength. I’ve watched this furry bulldozer shove couches, club chairs and end tables (with lamps on them) out of his way as he chases down his favorite ball. I’ve watched him flop to the ground, hurt and angry, when the other two dogs in the house leave for a walk and he’s not included. I’ve watched him sulk and turn his back on his owner, embarrassed, after getting a harsh scolding in front of others.
I love Chopper. During our Girls’ Night hangouts he will climb up on the couch and nestle in my lap. He loves hugs and scratches behind his ears. When my leg starts to fall asleep, I gently nudge him off and pat the couch next to me. He curls up, contented and relaxed, and waits for me scratch his side. After a few minutes, I’ll hear the quiet drone of his snoring. It never fails to make me smile.
Spending time with dogs is good for us, according to our Health & Wellness story today. An experiment by researchers in South Korea found that playing with dogs can improve memory, and reduce stress, fatigue and depression.
I’m not surprised. Hanging out with Chopper is like a shot of happy for me.
Do you have a furry friend that makes your world sunny? Let me know! And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also.
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