Over the last year, workers around the world have been struggling with mental health issues—particularly burnout and isolation. As employers prepare for a post-COVID-19 world, a more holistic view of worker well-being is key to helping employees at all levels manage stress and remain engaged. A new report from The Conference Board, Holistic Well-Being @Work, examines what … [Read more...] about Worker well-being a priority for US employers, but program usage falters
Managing staff
Listening as if you mean it: an important managerial skill
By Lynne Curry It’s easy to give an excuse for not listening. You don’t have time; the speaker rambles or bores you. You already know what you’re about to hear. It’s harder to admit you’re a poor listener—isn’t listening something we do all the time? No. The opposite proves true. Most of us find it hard to listen to someone who has something to say we don’t want to hear. We … [Read more...] about Listening as if you mean it: an important managerial skill
Amid higher productivity, 43% of US workers question need to return to workplace
Are you having trouble convincing your staff to return to the office? So are many employers. More and more offices plan to reopen their doors in the coming months, but will their workers show up? Amid higher productivity, 43 percent question the wisdom of returning to the workplace at all. The new survey by The Conference Board reveals a notable shift in employees’ greatest … [Read more...] about Amid higher productivity, 43% of US workers question need to return to workplace
An employee cyberstalks potential hires, looking for dirt
By Lynne Curry According to rumor, one of my co-workers conducts unauthorized criminal background investigations on prospective employees without their knowledge or permission. This cyber-snoop doesn’t work in human resources but collects information and passes it along to the hiring managers. She’s also been known to interrogate employees after they’re hired about … [Read more...] about An employee cyberstalks potential hires, looking for dirt
The pandemic changed employees: Can managers adapt?
By Lynne Curry “The employees who return to the office after a year of remote work aren’t the employees their bosses remember” says a June 12 Wall Street Journal article.1 Remote work changed how employees want to work. Employees that tasted independence don’t want to give it up. Employees who felt betrayed lost trust in employers. What do managers and employers need to … [Read more...] about The pandemic changed employees: Can managers adapt?
The top 8 policies to include in your employee handbook
By Krystal Barghelame What is an employee handbook? An employee handbook is an important living document for your employees that outlines your company policies, history, and culture for current and future employees. Although 87% of businesses with 10 to 200 employees have employee handbooks, HR experts agree that it’s best practice to start a handbook as soon as you hire … [Read more...] about The top 8 policies to include in your employee handbook
How managers can help with employee mental health
By Robert Half Continued stress has long been an impediment to a healthy workplace, especially when it leads to burnout—increased mental detachment from the job and reduced effectiveness. In a 2019 Robert Half survey of managers, a staggering 96% said their employees experience burnout to some extent. And in a related poll, 91% of workers themselves reported feeling at least … [Read more...] about How managers can help with employee mental health
Burnout is building for 43% of workers, research shows
Many workers are worn out and ready to make up for lost vacation time, new research shows. More than 4 in 10 professionals surveyed (43 per cent) said they are more burned out on the job today compared to a year ago, up from 33 per cent in a similar 2020 poll. The new survey by global staffing firm Robert Half shows employees experiencing increased fatigue, with 42 per cent … [Read more...] about Burnout is building for 43% of workers, research shows
Eligible/ineligible for rehire vs. constructive discharge
By Lynne Curry Here’s a real-life question where the employee feels she has an issue—but it’s truly the employer’s problem. Question: After working for an abusive supervisor for more than a year, I plan to give notice. The last straw was when she confronted me yesterday. She said I hadn’t completed a project, and she expressed her dissatisfaction by grabbing my arm and … [Read more...] about Eligible/ineligible for rehire vs. constructive discharge
Performance reviews: Dread them? Ditch them? Replace them?
By Lynne Curry Do you dread filling out annual performance reviews? Do you wonder about their effectiveness? You aren't the only one with doubts. A Gallup survey reports that only 14% of employees strongly agree their performance reviews inspire improvement.1 According to 58% of executives surveyed, their company’s current performance management system produces neither higher … [Read more...] about Performance reviews: Dread them? Ditch them? Replace them?