Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has announced a plan to cut state income taxes and reduce the state workforce through an initiative called DOGE-OK, which aims to increase efficiency in state agencies. Stitt has been instructing his cabinet to shrink employee numbers since taking office in 2019, with the goal of having fewer state employees by the end of his term.

In an era of rapid workplace transformation, Jane Clark, the senior vice president of operations for NationaLease, emphasizes the need for effective change management to combat employee disengagement and resistance. Drawing from recent studies, she notes that change fatigue is prevalent, with nearly half of workers feeling left behind.

The US employment cost index rose 0.9% in the fourth quarter of 2024, indicating a marginal increase in labor costs, according to the Labor Department. Considered a predictor of core inflation, the index showed a 3.8% increase in labor costs over the 12 months through December.

Self-managed teams operate without traditional hierarchies, allowing employees to share accountability and make decisions collaboratively. This model fosters innovation and engagement by empowering team members to lead themselves. Companies like Buurtzorg and Morning Star exemplify the success of this approach -- demonstrating improved outcomes and reduced costs.

Rob Lee of the SANS Institute discusses the characteristics of a toxic cybersecurity environment, such as high turnover, burnout and a blame culture. Lee emphasizes the importance of early intervention to maintain a healthy team and advises professionals to prioritize well-being and seek supportive networks.

To engage Gen Z effectively, companies should focus on strengths rather than generalizations, writes Sagar Khatri, CEO of Multiplier. Strategies like reverse mentoring can bridge generational gaps, while encouraging Gen Z's questioning nature can lead to process improvements and innovation.

Childcare costs and availability are a growing concern for working parents, but chief HR officers struggle to persuade other C-suite executives to improve childcare benefits, according to a KinderCare survey. Although 80% of CHROs say childcare benefits reduce turnover and increase productivity, they face budget constraints and a lack of understanding from other executives.

Naming tensions within a team can help depersonalize conflicts and focus on the issues at hand. By identifying common tensions -- such as speed versus quality -- managers can frame disagreements constructively and encourage team members to explore different perspectives without assigning blame.