Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang expects employees to work long hours. (Bloomberg/Getty Images)
While Nvidia's stock has soared 3,776% since 2019, turning many employees into millionaires, CEO Jensen Huang's leadership style pushes employees to their limits, with some working up to seven days a week. Although the financial rewards are substantial, many employees feel the pressure outweighs the benefits. Nvidia's retention rates benefit from long-term stock grants, but the work culture remains a contentious issue among staff. Full Story: Bloomberg (8/26)
Is your workplace really age-inclusive? Off-handed, dismissive age- or generation-related comments can prevent the kind of collaboration a thriving workplace needs. With five generations working together at the same time, subtle and overt discrimination isn't uncommon. Read more from AARP to learn if your company is as inclusive as you think.
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Recruiting & Retention
How to tap into the refugee talent pool Employers should recruit more refugees, write researchers Betina Szkudlarek and Eun Su Lee, who recommend companies seek candidates from the largely untapped talent pool by focusing on experience over credentials, testing applicants' practical skills and seeking recruitment help from nonprofit groups that support refugees. "Those who have never recruited from this group tend to undervalue the benefits of this talent pool, and hold various misconceptions and biases around recruiting and hiring refugees," the researchers write. Full Story: Harvard Business Review (tiered subscription model) (8/27)
Business principles can help employee financial wellness Financial wellness is a growing concern among employees, and employers see value in financial wellness benefits, such as improving retention and job satisfaction. Employees can apply business principles, such as long-term planning, budgeting and cost management, to their personal finances to help them achieve their financial goals and improve overall financial health. Full Story: BenefitsPRO (free registration) (8/27)
Technology
Employees warm to AI-based "passive listening" Employees show a surprising openness to AI-driven passive listening, with 61% comfortable with employers that use AI to analyze direct messages so the insights can be used to improve the workplace, according to a Qualtrics report. "Passive listening allows employees to raise topics that don't show up in employee surveys and open up new lines of communication," says Qualtrics' Benjamin Granger. Full Story: Human Resources Director (8/26)
The HR Leader
Are you ready for career coaching from an AI chatbot? Several employment platforms, including LinkedIn and BetterUp, are betting that AI-powered chatbots can provide useful advice on navigating workplace situations or planning careers. However, skeptics like Joseph Fuller of Harvard Business School argue that "we're a long way from a typical human being wanting [coaching] from a machine" while admitting it would be "pretty dumb" to bet that AI won't eventually show its mastery. Full Story: Forbes (tiered subscription model) (8/25)
Editor's Note
SmartBrief will not publish on Labor Day In observance of Labor Day in the US, SmartBrief will not publish Monday, Sept. 2.
SmartBreak: Question of the Day
Claiming to be one of the biggest batteries in the world is a lithium-ion battery that went online in California 2020. The inventors say it can potentially power up how many homes?
Money is nice, but there’s no way I let it put its leash around my neck and drag me through life. That’s how I felt after reading today’s top story about Nvidia’s high-stress, break-neck workplace culture that promises riches to those who can withstand the pressure. Like the marketer who said she attended up to 10 meetings daily that often included “bouts of fighting and shouting.” She endured it for two years “because of the ‘golden handcuffs’ — the opportunity for even more wealth.” No thanks. Wealth isn’t worth it to me. I prefer joy and contentment. What about you? Love this brief? Share it with others. Want different stories? Something about it bug you? Tell me. In the words of Frasier Crane, “I’m listening.”
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