US employment costs increased 1.2% in the first quarter, according to Labor Department data released Friday. The 1.2% increase exceeded economists' expectations and followed a 1.1% rise in the final quarter of last year.
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The number of CEOs leaving their jobs hit a five-year high last year, jumping 30% from the previous year, according to Russell Reynolds Associates. More than 60 S&P 500 CEOs headed for the exit last year, an exodus Russell Reynolds attributes in part to the coronavirus pandemic and leaders sticking around to help steer the ship through the uncertainty. "Now that this phase has passed, they are ready to finally depart," said Russell Reynolds CEO Constantine Alexandrakis, adding economic pressures also have some companies heading in different directions.
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Self-awareness is the basis of intuition, which can help people more easily identify their gut feelings, licensed clinical social worker Keanne Owens says. Owens and other experts note that people should listen to their intuition when it comes to their safety, health, relationships or abilities and add that intuition differs from rumination.
Employers lose an estimated $1.8 billion each year in the US on lost work time due to menopausal symptoms, increasing to $26.6 billion with the addition of medical costs, according to research by the Mayo Clinic. In addition, 13% of women surveyed said menopausal symptoms had led to adverse work outcomes such as quitting, being fired, retiring or reducing hours.
Data shows 71% of employees want to return to companies they left at the height of the pandemic, something business psychologist Martina Doherty says points to a need for companies to distinguish themselves from the competition by "creating and cultivating a positive working culture," that welcomes so-called "boomerang employees." "As an organization or leader, you will never make everyone happy and healthy, or motivate them to perform at their best every single day ... but you can create the conditions for this to become the norm," Doherty says.
I have the honor of leading a phenomenal team of editors. They’re competent, experienced and agile. They work super hard. And they’re extraordinarily kind. If someone on the team has an emergency, everyone else jumps in to help.
So I like to do little things sporadically to help them enjoy their workday and build relationship with each other. Sometimes this is sending Starbucks gift cards for a cup of coffee or a sweet treat. Other times it’s starting off our team meetings with a fun icebreaker. Last month, I asked everyone to tell us what they’re reading or binge watching (lots of “Ted Lasso” and “Succession” fans). The month before that, I asked everyone to reveal their favorite snack (many fans of cookies and sweet/salty snacks, like chocolate and popcorn).
I need more ideas, so I turn to all of you. One of Leadership & Development stories today recommends professional development courses or company swag, among other suggestions for worker gifts. These were good ideas, but I’d love to hear what has worked with your teams. What gifts did they like? What icebreakers have you used? Drop me a line and let me know. And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also.
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