Report: US labor market splitting into two tracks | How a store manager in Georgia prioritizes employees | Home office layout advice to enhance your working day
The US labor market is shifting into two tracks, with skilled worker jobs thriving while knowledge worker jobs dwindling, according to data from Glassdoor. "The evidence can be found in the data, which shows a higher unemployment rate for professional and business services workers, and a lower one for people who work in manufacturing," said Glassdoor's chief economist, Aaron Terrazas. Full Story: Forbes (tiered subscription model) (6/17)
The motivational speeches, funny uniform inscriptions, team huddles and "Hero-of-the-Week" awards Rita Khijakadze has used as manager of a SPAR Georgia store in Tbilisi, Georgia, have been so inspiring the grocer has rolled out the initiatives chainwide, and the efforts earned Khijakadze the 2024 Store Manager Award in the International category from FMI -- The Food Industry Association. "Creating a supportive and positive work environment where everyone feels valued and respected is a significant reward in itself and, of course (brings) personal growth," Khijakadze said. Full Story: SmartBrief/Food (6/17)
The Right People For Today & Tomorrow Beacon Hill doesn't just fill seats. We find the right people for the right jobs. Our experienced team knows how to source talent that can adapt and excel in an evolving world so that you can achieve your business goals. Schedule an Appointment »
Ore. prison system repays wages garnished for prostheses As a result of a 2021 class-action lawsuit, the Oregon Department of Corrections has refunded more than $77,000 to 870 prisoners who had their wages garnished for medical devices such as prosthetic limbs. Under prior rules, prisoners had no access to health insurance so the state would deduct the cost of prosthetic devices from their pay, which was less than $100 per month. Full Story: Oregon Public Broadcasting (6/17)
Technology
Survey: Generative AI's effect on workplace remain minimal Despite high valuations and predictions of societal transformation, generative AI's impact on the workplace and jobs remains minimal, according to a global survey of tech leaders by consultancy EY. While over half of organizations have deployed generative AI to some extent, 39% of them report little to no impact, with its primary use being as a personal productivity tool. Full Story: The Register (UK) (6/19)
The HR Leader
Using humor properly: A toolkit of practical dos and don'ts A sense of humor is a valuable tool for leaders and can enhance the workplace, boosting employee empowerment, job performance, and wellbeing, according to researchers from RMIT University and Monash University. The trio introduces a 'humor toolkit' that offers guidance on how to use humor effectively and practical dos and don'ts for people to follow. Full Story: The Conversation (6/17)
SmartBreak: Question of the Day
Francis Drake declared this present-day location to be "Nova Albion" when he landed there in the Golden Hind while circumnavigating the world.
My home office is in the corner of my dining room, adjacent to my TV and den area. It’s all one big open space and it looks out over the pond behind my house. The china hutch next to my dining table holds files, office supplies and books. The shelves above and near my desk hold reference books, my printer and the files I use daily. Everything is styled to be functional and show my personality and what matters to me -- photos of my family, my collection of vintage typewriters, my favorite devotional and street signs from Hawaii. Does your workspace work for you? How you lay out and organize this space can affect your productivity and physical and mental wellbeing, according to today’s Leadership & Development story from Homebuilding. If you love your home office or need new ideas for refreshing it, check out this story. I got several ideas I plan to try in my home office. And don’t miss today’s HR Leader story about humor as a leadership skill and how to use it effectively in the workplace. There’s an art to this, I’ve learned. Used right, it can help you break the ice and connect with people. It can help diffuse tense, difficult situations. It can help alleviate stress and boost motivation. But if it’s used improperly, it can be poisonous. It can sour relationships and leave people feeling deflated. Fortunately, the researchers who wrote this piece included a toolkit for using humor right. It’s smart! I agreed with all the tips. Don’t miss this article. How do you organize your home work space? How do you use humor to connect with your colleagues? Let me know! And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also.
Sharing SmartBrief on Workforce with your network keeps the quality of content high and these newsletters free.
