March 2023
Trust in the workplace is essential for effective collaboration and teamwork, but recent years have brought about an erosion in this crucial component of a successful workplace among employees and bosses alike. Open and honest communication, consistency, and accountability are a great starting point for building a culture of trust, one that is sure to lead to increased productivity and employee satisfaction. (WorkLife)
The rise of remote work has led to recruiters placing a greater emphasis on competence over warmth when making hiring decisions. While technical skills and abilities may be easier to virtually evaluate than interpersonal qualities, hiring managers hoping to build out a cohesive and supportive dynamic should still keep an eye on personability when building out a remote team. (Personality and Individual Differences)
As those responsible for ensuring employee engagement, supporting a healthy work-life balance, and enforcing unpopular mandates, many middle managers are burned out due to increasing responsibilities and stressors. However, organizations often fail to recognize that these leaders are employees too – any focus on employee experience should ideally be extended to higher levels of the org chart. (Fortune)
A recent meta study has found that positive leadership tactics are more important to employees’ mental health than any number of wellness programs and resources. Companies can promote good management by providing training and support to managers, creating clear policies and procedures, and encouraging open communication and feedback. (Scientific American)
With the rise of AI tech comes the "Turing Trap," which occurs when businesses rely too heavily on artificial intelligence and lose sight of the human element in decision-making. To avoid issues like these, managers should attempt to involve humans in the design and implementation of AI systems, regularly assess the impact of AI on business outcomes, and prioritize the “human element” in experiences. (WorkLife)
When it comes to finances, Gen Z is by far the most tight-lipped generation – this reluctance may stem from feelings of shame and embarrassment, or just from a lack of financial literacy. Employers can help their younger workers feel more comfortable and supported by offering resources like financial planning services, workshops, or access to financial advisors as part of their employee benefits package. (Intuit)
In a January survey by job site Monster, fully 37% of workers admitted to having more than one full-time job, and among those who only work one full-time job, most (57%) said they’d consider adding another. Whether it’s due to financial necessity or personal fulfillment, overemployment is here – and while remote work is making it more feasible than ever, bosses should keep an eye out for signs of burnout and exhaustion. (Yahoo)
On “Bare Minimum Mondays,” employees aim to do the absolute minimum amount of work required in order to ease into the work week. While advocates argue that the trend can help employees avoid burnout and increase their overall productivity throughout the week, critics caution that it may lead to a lack of motivation and a culture of complacency in the workplace. (Fortune)