June 2021
As companies plan their reopenings, many offices are considering a flexible approach: The hybrid work model. Effective management of task- and project-flows have been at the core of many hybrid redesigns, but companies that take into account human elements like employee preferences and inclusion will have the upper-hand when it comes to retention and engagement. (Harvard Business Review)
A recent “Generational Power Index” infographic shows that, while Baby Boomers dominate the S&P 500 category, Generation X holds the most power when it comes to small business leadership. Pragmatic and savvy, Xers are the perfect entrepreneurs — more pragmatic and efficient than Boomers, and more open to risk-taking than Millennials. (Visual Capitalist)
As of mid-May, almost three-quarters of white-collar workers are still working remotely, roughly the same share as May 2020. Despite increasing rates of vaccination and updated CDC guidelines, 40% of white collar employees would continue working from home indefinitely if given the choice – something managers should keep in mind when implementing a back-to-the-office plan. (Gallup)
A growing number of HR departments are exploring CSR through “skills-based volunteering,” a way to both help local non-profits while training employees.Initiatives designed to foster community engagement are sure to be a hit with Millennials, but it is critical that companies offering these programs emphasize their altruistic nature rather than the individual benefits of upskilling. (MIT Sloan Management Review)
Unionization rates in the private sector have continued to trend downwards in spite of some recent, highly-publicised unionization efforts. As of last year, there are actually more union workers employed by the federal government than in the private-sector and any near-term growth in overall unionization rates will likely be due to an increase in public-sector employment. (The Wall Street Journal)
The U.S. Army’s latest recruitment campaign, “The Calling,” features several young people describing the personal challenges that they overcame on their path to signing up. These short, animated vignettes on YouTube show a vulnerability, sensitivity, and commitment to public service that will resonate with Millennials and Gen Z far better than the more aggressive recruitment campaigns that targeted Xers. (ABC News)
Fully 66% of Gen Z is convinced that businesses prioritize the maximization of returns to investors over taking care of customers (53%) and employees (47%), and fewer than half agree that business leaders have integrity. In spite of this, nearly 70% of this generation believes that businesses can have a positive impact on wider society, a good sign for organizations hoping to recruit and engage young talent. (ACCA Global)
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought renewed attention to the issue of workplace safety and work-refusal laws, many of which are increasingly outdated in the modern workplace. Regulations designed for employees in traditional blue-collar settings often do not adequately protect workers in service industries, health-care, the gig economy, or other fields that are employing a growing number of Americans. (Illinois News Bureau)