A New Year – What is HR Considering?

As with any new year there can be excitement and uncertainty. The question of where HR will need to focus its energy on behalf of the business and employees is always top of mind. Many predict we will see continued friction between organizations and employees on issues ranging from work arrangements, wages, pay transparency, artificial intelligence, and more.

On the flip side of the coin, employers will step up their support for their workforce in a variety of ways, such as by providing benefits for parents, employees with student loans, personal development and upgrading skills, or address employees struggling with their mental health. Some organizations will continue to consider measures like remote work or a shortened work week to alleviate employee burnout.

Of course, depending on an organization’s revenue, size, and industry will certainly have an impact on which issues are their biggest priority.

Hybrid Work Schedules

New research from Gallup (1) finds that 8 out of 10 chief human resources officers (CHROs) from Fortune 500 firms have no plans to decrease remote work flexibility in the upcoming year. This aligns with employee expectations as well: 9 out of 10 remote-capable employees prefer some remote work flexibility, with the majority preferring hybrid work.

Businesses would be wise to let employees keep some degree of flexibility; research with Deloitte found that 2 out of 3 hybrid workers would leave their organization if they were required to go into the office full-time. Most of the articles and polls have found that either two or three days in the office is the optimal hybrid working arrangement for culture and performance.

As a subset of this conversation is HR spending more time working on programs, benefits, and flexibility options for working parents and women due to a lack of childcare support. Back in September 2023 $24 billion in federal funding for daycare providers across the U.S. came to an end. Some providers are raising prices to stay afloat, others may be forced to close or already have. In a survey from Civic Science (2), 51% of U.S. working mothers said it’s likely they’ll leave the workforce if they lose childcare in the coming months, compared with 39% of working fathers.

Artificial intelligence

While AI has been around for decades, the release of ChatGPT has resulted in major steps forward, including expanded use for HR and others in the workplace. McKinsey (3) notes that although previous waves of AI mostly affected physical work activities, gen AI is likely to have the biggest impact on knowledge work.

While 90% of leaders think their organization should be using gen AI or machine learning “often” or “almost always,” 60% said their organization rarely or never does this. It’s likely we’ll see this gap close as employers and employees gain more confidence in using AI as a tool. HR is already using it to draft job descriptions, policies, some training materials and more.

Employees struggling with stress, burn out and their effects on well-being

Gallup (4) recently reported that the majority of the world’s employees (around 6 out of 10) are quiet quitting — meaning they are actively disengaged at work.

This could be why in a study from Workplace Intelligence and Deloitte (5), around one-quarter of employees reported that their physical and mental health worsened last year (23% and 25%, respectively). According to the Business Group on Health (6), 77% of large employers reported an increase in their workforce’s mental health needs this year and another 16% anticipate one in the future.

With this in mind, employers will need to focus on improving access to mental health services, and they’ll also need to take a hard look at their culture — especially when it comes to eliminating toxic workplace behaviors. Great Place to Work (7) notes that organizations who have successfully overcome a toxic environment have focused on accepting accountability, taking action to address the issues at-hand, and using as many communication channels as possibles with employees.

Health benefit costs rising putting financial pressure on all

According to Mercer (8), high inflation, labor shortages, and other developments in the healthcare industry last year will have ripple effects on benefit costs in 2024. To temper cost growth, one strategy we will see in 2024 is an increased focus on improving patient outcomes. For employers, this could mean offering higher-quality care as well as more options for preventive care.

A Mercer survey conducted earlier this year identified several other strategies employers are either already using or considering using to slow their health cost growth without shifting cost to employees. These include offering programs to better manage specific health conditions (85%), curbing the costs of specialty prescription drugs (83%), focusing on virtual care offerings (66%), and providing navigation or advocacy services (48%).

Another financial burden for many is student loans. After a three-year pause that had provided relief to nearly 44 million borrowers in the U.S., student loan repayments resumed. Days after payments restarted, U.S. president Joe Biden canceled another $9 billion in student loan debt for 125,000 borrowers.

Unfortunately, employees’ financial stress can have significant repercussions for employers. In a study from Workplace Intelligence and BrightPlan (9), they found that on average employees are experiencing a productivity loss of eight hours a week due to their financial stress. This is costing U.S. businesses potentially $200 billion annually in lost productivity and engagement.

For employers, there’s a clear opportunity to support people’s financial well-being and ensure employees can stay focused at work. While SHRM reports (in it 2023 Employee Benefits Survey) that only 8% of U.S. employers currently provide student loan repayments for employees. This may be an attractor for you when hiring.

Talent Shortage

This continues to be the revolving door challenge for many HR departments. While numerous organizations continue to source and recruit talent, they continue to be disappointed in what they are finding. Two key themes are emerging. One alternative is to look internally and to develop from within. More and more organizations are creating opportunities, establishing learning environments and tools to promote from within and build the talent pool they need. The other option is to bring people on and understand you will need to teach on-the-job the knowledge and skills needed to perform at the level needed to be successful. Both will require a long-term approach to your investment in people.

Shorter Workweek

Although the idea of a shorter work week is nothing new, in 2024 we’ll see this approach gain traction as employees continue to struggle with burnout and an overall poor state of health. According to 976 business leaders surveyed by ResumeBuilder.com, 20 percent of the employers already have a four-day workweek. Another 41 percent said they plan to implement a four-day week, at least on a trial basis.

We all know that just like all positions cannot work remotely some organizations have departments and positions that reducing the workweek may have other complications. Some organizations that are 24/7 or serving customers outside US and other considerations will have to carefully be weighed before implementation. HR will have to conduct a SWOT analysis to consider the payoffs vs. challenges and where the benefits lie for the organization and its employees.  What HR department would not like to see less burnout, improved health, and more job satisfaction among its employees?

However, most organizations are helping their team members now achieve greater efficiency by reviewing job descriptions, eliminating unnecessary meetings, encouraging the use of blocking out time for focused work, and automating basic tasks. Perhaps this is where adopting AI usage comes in – to complete some job tasks to make them more efficient.

Labor – Union Strikes

Across the U.S., a tight labor market, working conditions, and other considerations have led to contract negotiations, strikes, and walkouts in numerous industries in 2023. According to Bureau Labor Statistics data (10), through August 2023 nearly 309,700 workers have been involved in work stoppages, which means 2023 will likely be the busiest year for strikes since 2019.

We all heard and saw the news covering The United Auto Workers, Hollywood writers’ strike, Las Vegas to boost wages for hospitality workers, Kaiser Permanente workers walked off the job in the largest ever strike in the U.S. healthcare field, Pharmacy workers reduced hours or closures and the most recent public transit walkout and strike activity. HR needs to keep an eye out for how employees are viewing their environments and how the culture is treating them. This is a time for truly listening to our people to learn what is working and what is not and how we can come together and work together to solve the challenges.

We invite you to join us for a discussion on What’s Next For HR on March 13th during our monthly HR Lunch Bunch. We will discuss these and other trends and predictions for HR – for 2024 and beyond.  You can RSVP here.

Citations

  1. The Future of the Office Has Arrived: It’s Hybrid; By Ben Wigert, Jim Harter, and Sangeeta Agrawal https://www.gallup.com/workplace/511994/future-office-arrived-hybrid.aspx
  1. The End of Pandemic Funding Stands to Further Disrupt Childcare, Especially for Working Moms https://civicscience.com/the-end-of-pandemic-funding-stands-to-further-disrupt-childcare-especially-for-working-moms/
  1. What’s the Future of Generative AI? From McKinsey and Company https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-explainers/whats-the-future-of-generative-ai-an-early-view-in-15-charts
  1. . State of the Global Workplace: 2023 Report https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx
  1. As Workforce Well-being Clips, Leaders Ask: What Will it Take to Move the Needle? https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/talent/workplace-well-being-research.html
  1. 2024 Large Employer Health Care Strategy Survey https://www.businessgrouphealth.org/resources/2024-large-employer-health-care-strategy-survey-intro
  1. Changing a Toxic Company Culture https://www.greatplacetowork.com/resources/blog/changing-a-toxic-company-culture-3-steps
  1. Health Benefit Cost Expected to rise 5.4% in 2024  https://www.mercer.com/en-us/insights/us-health-news/health-benefit-cost-expected-to-rise-54-in-2024-mercer-survey/
  1. Financial Stress is Hurting Relationships, Well-being and Organizational Success https://www.brightplan.com/2023-wellness-barometer-survey
  1. BLS – U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics https://www.bls.gov/wsp/

Celebrating Innovation and Ingenuity: National Engineers Week

Every year, during the third week of February, the United States celebrates National Engineers Week, a time dedicated to honoring the contributions of engineers to society and inspiring future generations to pursue careers in engineering. From groundbreaking innovations to transformative technologies, engineers play a crucial role in shaping the world we live in today. Let’s delve into the history of National Engineers Week, explore lesser-known but significant achievements in the field over the past decade, and discuss practical ways organizations and co-workers can honor engineering employees.

History of National Engineers Week:

National Engineers Week, also known as EWeek, was first established in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE). It began as a way to increase public understanding and appreciation of the engineering profession while promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. Since then, National Engineers Week has grown into a nationwide celebration, featuring various events, activities, and outreach programs aimed at showcasing the importance of engineering in our daily lives.

Notable Achievements in Engineering in the United States in the Last 10 Years:

1. Development of Soft Robotics: Soft robotics is an emerging field that focuses on creating robots with flexible and adaptable structures, inspired by biological systems. Engineers like Rebecca Kramer-Bottiglio from Yale University have made significant contributions to this field, developing soft robotic devices capable of performing delicate tasks in medical, industrial, and environmental settings. These innovations have the potential to revolutionize industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and exploration.

2. Advancements in Biomedical Engineering: Biomedical engineers like Jordan Miller from Rice University have pioneered new techniques for 3D bioprinting, allowing the fabrication of living tissues and organs with unprecedented precision and complexity. This technology holds promise for regenerative medicine, drug discovery, and personalized healthcare, offering new solutions to complex medical challenges and improving patient outcomes.

3. Development of Energy Harvesting Technologies: Engineers like Cary Pint from Vanderbilt University have been instrumental in developing energy harvesting technologies that harness ambient sources of energy, such as vibrations, heat, and light, to power electronic devices. These innovations have the potential to reduce reliance on traditional power sources, improve energy efficiency, and enable the deployment of autonomous sensors and wearable devices in remote or resource-constrained environments.

Practical Ways to Honor Engineering Employees:

1. Recognition and Appreciation: Organizations can recognize the hard work and dedication of engineering employees through awards, ceremonies, or public acknowledgments. Highlighting their contributions to projects, innovations, or problem-solving can boost morale and foster a culture of appreciation within the workplace.

2. Professional Development Opportunities: Providing opportunities for continuous learning and skill development is crucial for engineering employees to stay updated with the latest technologies and advancements in their field. Organizations can offer training programs, workshops, or mentorship opportunities to support their professional growth and career advancement.

3. Community Engagement and Outreach: Encouraging engineering employees to participate in community outreach programs or mentorship initiatives can help inspire the next generation of engineers. By sharing their knowledge, expertise, and passion for engineering, employees can make a positive impact on their communities while fostering a sense of pride in their profession.

National Engineers Week serves as a reminder of the invaluable contributions of engineers to society and the importance of nurturing future talent in the field of engineering. By celebrating achievements, recognizing engineering employees, and promoting STEM education, we can inspire innovation, drive progress, and build a brighter future for generations to come. So, let’s take this opportunity to thank and honor the engineers who continue to shape the world with their creativity, ingenuity, and dedication.

International Women’s Day is March 8, 2024: Empowering and Recognizing Women in the Workplace

International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on March 8th, serves as a global platform to acknowledge the achievements and contributions of women throughout history. It is a day to honor the progress made in gender equality and to reflect on the challenges that persist. In 2024, the focus is on women in the workplace, highlighting their triumphs, advocating for equal opportunities, and recognizing the advancements that have occurred over the past 30 years.

The roots of International Women’s Day trace back to the early 20th century when the labor movement and feminist activism gained momentum. The day became officially recognized by the United Nations in 1977, but its origins can be linked to the struggles of women in the workforce, demanding better working conditions, equal pay, and the right to vote.

Empowering Women in the Workplace: 5 Modern Achievements

1. Breakthroughs in STEM Fields:
Over the last 30 years, women have made significant strides in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Breaking the gender barrier, women have excelled in traditionally male-dominated professions, contributing to groundbreaking discoveries and technological innovations. For instance, women like Dr. Jennifer Doudna, co-inventor of CRISPR gene-editing technology, and Dr. Katie Bouman, who played a pivotal role in capturing the first image of a black hole, have become influential figures in STEM.

2. Leadership in Corporate Boardrooms:
The push for gender diversity in corporate leadership has seen remarkable progress in recent decades. Women are now occupying executive roles and board seats in major companies, challenging the glass ceiling. Notable figures such as Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, and Ginni Rometty, former CEO of IBM, have shattered stereotypes and demonstrated that women can lead successfully in the corporate world.

3. Global Movements for Equality:
The #MeToo movement, initiated in 2006 but gaining global prominence around 2017, has empowered women to speak out against sexual harassment and discrimination in various industries. This movement has sparked conversations about workplace culture and led to increased awareness and accountability. Women are now more vocal about their rights, fostering an environment where perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.

4. Entrepreneurial Success:
The rise of female entrepreneurs has been a defining feature of the past few decades. Women have been breaking into traditionally male-dominated sectors, launching successful startups, and making significant economic contributions. Entrepreneurs like Oprah Winfrey, Sara Blakely (founder of Spanx), and Arianna Huffington (founder of The Huffington Post) have not only built successful businesses but have also become role models for aspiring women entrepreneurs worldwide.

5. Political Leadership and Representation:
In the political arena, women have achieved unprecedented success in the past 30 years. Several countries have witnessed the election of female heads of state, breaking the political glass ceiling. Examples include Angela Merkel, who served as the Chancellor of Germany for 16 years, and Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, who has been praised for her leadership, especially during times of crisis.

As we commemorate International Women’s Day in 2024, it is crucial to recognize the progress made in empowering women in the workplace. The achievements of the past 30 years illustrate that barriers are being dismantled, and women are increasingly taking on influential roles across various fields. However, there is still work to be done to ensure true gender equality. By acknowledging the accomplishments of women and advocating for continued progress, we contribute to a more inclusive and equitable future for all.

Important Bulletin from the Oregon Employment Department

Important information about Unemployment Insurance Benefits launching in Frances Online

The Oregon Employment Department is launching Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits through Frances Online. The new UI benefits system is scheduled to go live through Frances Online on Monday, March 4.   

Here is what you need to know:

  • Frances Online will not be available during the migration.
    The Frances Online website will be unavailable from 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 28, to 8 a.m. on Monday, March 4.
  • Customer service by phone or email will not be available.
    Phone lines for UI, Paid Leave Oregon, and employer contributions will be unavailable from 8 a.m. on Wednesday, February 28, to 8 a.m. on Monday, March 4.

Here is what you can do:   

  • Finish any outstanding tasks you need to do in your Frances Online account before it goes offline at 5 p.m. on February 28. You will not have access to any account information in Frances Online from 5 p.m. Wednesday, February 28, until 8 a.m. Monday, March 4.
  • Note that our staff will not be answering phone calls or emails starting at 8 a.m. from Wednesday, February 28, until 8 a.m. Monday, March 4.
  • To reduce processing delays during this time frame, please respond to all requests for information promptly.

We understand this may cause an inconvenience. We are doing everything we can to make this process as easy as possible. We encourage you to review all correspondence from the Oregon Employment Department in the coming weeks.

Visit the Employer page of the OED website and follow us on social media (Facebook, LinkedIn) for important updates about the migration. 
Thank you for your patience.  

Soup-er Bowl: Celebrating National Homemade Soup Day!

Greetings, soup enthusiasts and culinary daredevils! It’s that time of the year again when the heavens open up, and angels sing praises to the magical elixir that warms our souls and bellies – it’s National Homemade Soup Day on February 4th! So, grab your ladles, dust off your grandma’s secret spice rack, and let’s dive headfirst into the bubbling cauldron of comfort that is homemade soup.

As National Homemade Soup Day approaches, why not turn your kitchen into a battlefield of broths and bisques by organizing the Soup-er Bowl Showdown? It’s time to don your soup-strategist hat and ladle your way to glory. Here’s a step-by-step guide to orchestrating the most epic soup contest your neighborhood has ever seen.

Step 1: Rally the Troops

Begin by spreading the word. Create eye-catching posters, digital invitations, or even send out carrier pigeons if you’re feeling whimsical. Invite friends, family, neighbors, and anyone with a passion for slurping sensational soups. The more, the merrier!

Step 2: Choose a Location

Decide whether you want to host the contest at home, a local community center, or even a park if the weather permits. Make sure the venue has sufficient kitchen facilities and space for participants and spectators alike. A well-equipped kitchen is a soup chef’s playground.

Step 3: Set the Date and Time

Coordinate with potential participants to find a date and time that works for everyone. National Homemade Soup Day falls on February 4th, but feel free to extend the celebration throughout the weekend to accommodate busy schedules.

Step 4: Establish Categories

Diversify the competition by creating categories like “Most Creative Soup,” “Spiciest Soup,” or “Classic Comfort Soup.” This encourages participants to unleash their culinary creativity.

Step 5: Create Entry Guidelines

Clearly outline the rules for entering the Soup-er Bowl Showdown. Include details such as recipe submission deadlines, ingredients restrictions (if any), and any presentation requirements. Embrace the creativity but maintain a level playing field.

Step 6: Assemble an Expert Panel

Recruit judges with discerning taste buds to crown the soup champions. Consider including local chefs, food bloggers, or even willing neighbors who appreciate a good bowl of soup. Ensure the judging criteria are fair and communicated to all participants.

Step 7: Soup Sampling for Spectators

Don’t forget the spectators! Allow them to purchase tasting tickets, and set up sampling stations where they can savor the soups on display. This adds an interactive element and turns your contest into a community event.

Step 8: Prizes Galore

Secure prizes for the winners. We’ve already suggested Golden Ladle Trophies, Soup-er Chef Aprons, Personalized Soup Spoons, Soup Pot Upgrades, and even a Soup-themed Weekend Getaway. Make sure the prizes are as enticing as the soups themselves.

Step 9: Promote, Promote, Promote!

Spread the soup love far and wide. Leverage social media, local newspapers, and community bulletin boards to promote the Soup-er Bowl Showdown. The more buzz you create, the bigger the turnout.

Step 10: Capture the Soupy Spectacle

Document the event with photos and videos. Share the joy, laughter, and steaming soups on social media platforms using the event hashtag. This not only captures memories but also ensures that the Soup-er Bowl Showdown becomes a yearly tradition.

Winter is a time when we all transform into cozy beings, wrapped in layers like delicious soup dumplings. And what better way to celebrate this transformation than by indulging in the symphony of flavors and warmth that a homemade soup provides? It’s like a hug from the inside – a liquid blanket for your taste buds.

Our Top Picks: Soups that Will Make You Slurp with Joy

1. Baked Potato Soup: A Spud-tacular Adventure

Ingredients:

4 large russet potatoes (because why settle for small when you can go big?)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (the cheesier, the better)
1/2 cup sour cream (for that tangy twist)
1/4 cup bacon bits (because everything’s better with bacon)
4 green onions, chopped (for a touch of sophistication)
Salt and pepper to taste (because seasoning is an art)
Instructions:

Bake those potatoes until they’re softer than a puppy’s snuggle.
Scoop out the potato insides like you’re on a treasure hunt for creamy gold.
Mash them taters with all the love in your heart.
Mix in the cheese, sour cream, bacon bits, and green onions. Stir like nobody’s watching.
Season to taste and let it simmer until your kitchen smells like a potato paradise.
Serve with a dollop of extra sour cream and a sprinkle of cheddar on top. Voila! You’ve just made winter edible.

2. Chicken Tortilla Soup: A Fiesta in Your Mouth

Ingredients:

1 lb chicken breasts (because poultry is the unsung hero of soups)
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed (because beans are the musical notes in this symphony)
1 cup corn kernels (because corn is the life of the party)
1 cup diced tomatoes (for that juicy burst)
1 jalapeño, minced (spice up your life)
1 onion, chopped (because an onion a day keeps blandness away)
3 cloves garlic, minced (to keep vampires and winter blues at bay)
1 teaspoon cumin (because life is bland without it)
1 teaspoon chili powder (for that smoky dance)
Salt and pepper to taste (because seasoning is still an art)
Instructions:

Cook the chicken breasts until they’re no longer clucking.
Shred the chicken like it just spilled the hottest gossip in the coop.
In a pot, sauté the onion, garlic, and jalapeño until your kitchen smells like a fiesta.
Add in the shredded chicken, black beans, corn, and tomatoes. Stir like you’re salsa dancing.
Sprinkle in the cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Let the flavors dance together.
Simmer until you can’t resist the tantalizing aroma any longer.
Serve with tortilla chips and a sprinkle of cheese. Ole! You’ve just made winter a spicy celebration.

So, dear readers, grab your pots, pans, and a dash of creativity. Let’s turn National Homemade Soup Day into a slurping spectacular that leaves us all feeling warm, fuzzy, and a little bit like soup royalty. May your ladles be mighty and your soups even mightier!