The Biden administration's vaccine rule has already drawn lawsuits and a stay issued by a federal appeals court, but attorneys at Fisher & Phillips say "OSHA will most likely have little patience with noncompliant employers who claim they held off implementing the mandate-or-test rule while awaiting a final court ruling." Meanwhile, businesses right below the 100-employee threshold are facing complex decisions as they decide how to proceed.

"Gray-collar" employees whose jobs involve both technology and service will play a bigger role as companies struggle with staffing shortages, writes UKG's Cecile Alper-Leroux. Recognize these employees, help develop their skills and de-emphasize credentials during recruitment, Alper-Leroux writes.

Open enrollment season allows employers to better address the benefit needs of millennial workers. A MetLife survey shows that most people in this age group expect to make a major life change in the coming year, and two-thirds plan to choose new benefits soon, so employers should design plans that address their specific needs.

Amazon's issues with correctly paying employees and managing leave requests are unlikely to be an issue of HR technology but more likely a culture failure, says industry analyst Josh Bersin. And while many technologies exist to manage such employee functions, "[e]nterprises need to realize, though, that they own the integration and monitor it accordingly," says Holger Mueller of Constellation Research.

Millennials in management are more likely than members of other generations to report burnout, according to a MetLife study, partly because they have become accustomed to overwork and must balance multiple responsibilities to children and parents. Certain steps, such as establishing appropriate boundaries, can ease middle managers' stress.

“Hey Mom. What’s going on?”

“Kanoelani! Did you send your itinerary? I’ve been waiting!” I sat holding the phone, confused. I had emailed it to my dad two days earlier.

“Yes, of course. Two days ago. I sent it to Dad.”

“Daddy? He didn’t tell me. Are you sure?” I rolled my eyes and sighed. This isn’t the first time I’d had this conversation with my parents.

“Mom, yeah. I’m looking at the email now. You ... you guys still live in the same house together, right? And, and see each other, you know, like at dinner, in the hallway, the car ...”

“Oh never mind being smart! Just ... you should send me those things, too. Daddy doesn’t always communicate.”

Communication is critical, as we see in today’s Leadership & Development story. It reflects the character of an organization’s leadership and can make or break workplace culture. When communication is faulty, rumors and confusion run rampant and, in some cases, employees head for the door.

How do you manage your internal communication channels? Tell me! And send this link to people who could benefit from this newsletter.