PwC Survey: Half of US firms mulling layoffs | Cardona: States should use federal funds for teachers | Judge: Starbucks must offer jobs back to Memphis Seven
Reductions in headcount are underway or being planned at half of US firms, according to a PwC poll of more than 700 US executives and board members, which also indicates pay raises and benefit expansions are taking place at roughly two-thirds of firms. The PwC survey illustrates the ever-present dichotomies in the labor market and economy, with firms at odds in their approaches to hiring, remote work and real estate investment.
US Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said on "Face the Nation" Sunday that money from the American Rescue Plan is available for states to help shore up a longstanding teacher shortage by recruiting retired educators and providing salaries for student-teachers. A lack of educators has prompted some districts to make tough decisions, including moving to four-day weeks.
Taking a hiatus from social media can be good for mental health by encouraging living in the moment, limiting how much information and bad news is taken in, and lessening fears of missing out, says licensed master social worker Amira Johnson. However, Kiana Shelton, a licensed clinical social worker, notes that a break from social media won't, by itself, fix mental health problems.
Employers with older personnel should pay attention to and try to prevent workplace risks that could lead to discomfort, fatigue or injury. Problems related to posture, bending, stooping, repetitive motion and other activities can be mitigated by encouraging stretching and movement, consulting an ergonomist or risk-control professional, analyzing employee reports of discomfort, encouraging proper footwear and body mechanics, employing fit-for-duty testing and establishing an ergonomics committee, among other protocols.
Differing experiences with burnout have shaped the way workers of various generations view retention efforts, and employers must understand that history when striving for employees' trust, write Hise Gibson of Harvard Business School and MaShon Wilson, a former management consultant. Companies should experiment with programs addressing such areas as reflection, insight and action to find what eases burnout for employees of all ages, Gibson and Wilson note.
Back-to-school season is upon us. Parents are nudging kids through morning routines and navigating school drop-off lines. Principals and teachers are manning their stations. And students, donning the latest backpacks and Jordans, are laughing and hugging as they fill hallways and classrooms, reconnecting with friends and staff.
It’s great to be back, but many school districts and campuses are operating with severe staffing deficits, including teachers, as we see in today’s Recruiting & Retention story. School leaders are getting creative to address these shortages. Some are shortening the school week while others are implementing hybrid schedules. They’re doing what’s needed to stretch their resources and keep students on track for learning.
So please bear this in mind as you drop your children off at school. There’s bound to be some bumpiness with communication, school bus routes (talk about shortages -- yikes!), scheduling and more. Be kind, please. These problems are complicated and will take time to address. A little patience now will save everyone some stress and frustration.
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