Employers take a more structured hybrid approach | Amazon emails employees who are not complying with return-to-office policy | EEOC reaches consent decree in suit alleging AI bias
Six in 10 employees want a more structured hybrid work model, per Gallup, with the most common bugbear that when do they make the effort to go into the office, the colleagues they need to see aren't there too. Company leaders share the benefits of their particular structures, from the common Tuesday to Thursday in-office mandate to the more unusual model of one mandatory week per month. Full Story: WorkLife (8/14)
Registered dietitian nutritionist Kelly Gemmel says common symptoms of dehydration include headache, constipation, dry mouth and fatigue, and to help prevent this often chronic problem, she recommends carrying a water bottle with you at all times for convenient hydration. Gemmel also offers ideas like adding cucumbers and mint or strawberries and basil to water to make it more appealing and a recipe for a healthful electrolyte replenishing drink that is low in sugar. Full Story: WILX-TV (Lansing/Jackson, Mich.) (8/9)
Benefits & Compensation
Most members worried about Medicare's long-term viability An eHealth survey of 3,582 Medicare beneficiaries showed that about 74% of members are either very worried or somewhat worried about the long-term sustainability of the Medicare program, and around 97% said they are entitled to receive benefits after paying into the program for many years. The survey comes after Medicare's Board of Trustees estimated that the program's funding will be insufficient to cover benefits by 2031. Full Story: MedCity News (8/13)
Changing your organization's culture requires changing its story -- and the stories about it that you and your employees tell. Strategic management expert Jay Barney shares anecdotes about four companies that have changed their cultures. Full Story: SmartBrief/Leadership (8/11)
Aloha dear readers! I’m back 🙂 I want to begin by saying mahalo nui loa for all the emails I received expressing condolences over the loss of my father and the wildfires on Maui. I was overwhelmed by your aloha. So was my mom. I read some of the messages to her. Carlton Maui Namahoe, age 75, died Aug. 4, 2023 after a yearlong battle with chronic kidney disease. He is survived by his wife Keala and their three children, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. My dad and I did not have the typical Daddy-daughter princess relationship -- at first. I am the oldest child and he was hard on me. He set certain boundaries and expectations for me and was immovable about them. I spent most of my youth and teen years hating him. But when I got to college and then into the workforce, I understood. College and work kicked my tail. I was grateful he had kicked it first. It toughened me up for the road ahead. The guy I hated became my hero. I realized how much wisdom and genuine humility he had. I developed new respect and love for him. I wanted to be like him. This week, I will be sharing some of the most important lessons I learned from my father (this includes my mom. They moved and lived as one unit.). All of these lessons have helped shape me personally and professionally. Be generous, Dad said. “You want financial security, kid?” he asked me once. “Be a giver. Give even when it hurts. God will honor that. You will have everything you need.” Mom and Dad lived this. I watched them give away cars, computers and money. They tithed diligently, supported missionaries and bought countless candy bars for youth sports and organizations. They always did it quietly. And it paid off. Appliances seemed to last longer. Investments performed well. They always had money when cars broke down, or when someone needed help. Giving allowed them to live in freedom. Many of you have reached out asking how you can support the recovery efforts for the Maui wildfires. I so appreciate your kokua. Here are my recommendations: Maui Strong FundCouncil for Native Hawaiian AdvancementPublic Schools of Hawaii FoundationMaui United WayMaui Food BankMaui Humane SocietySalvation ArmyRed Cross I started this column in 2020 as an experiment -- a way to better understand readers and lift engagement. I never expected it to become a vehicle of relationship. But it has. You’ve all from being anonymous readers to people with names, faces, ideas and personal histories. You’ve become friends. Mahalo again for your aloha and kokua. I’m deeply honored and grateful. Me ke aloha pumehana, Kanoe Do you have friends or ohana on Maui? How are they? Let me know! 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.
Whatever your wins and losses were for the week, whatever you did or you didn't do, when you come to this table, your value has nothing to do with that.
