The Senate announced the elimination of its formal dress code, adhering to the more casual trend sweeping workplaces across the country, but experts warn that image is still important. "[T]here's always a need to look appropriate, especially when it comes to the Senate floor, and that can just be elevated business casual," advises Robin Fisher, an executive image consultant. Full Story: The Wall Street Journal (9/19)
Recruiting & Retention
Analysis: "Quiet cutting" can damage morale Some companies are reassigning employees to jobs that don't match their career goals in hopes that they will quit, avoiding the costly layoff process, Lucas Mearian writes, noting the morale of remaining employees can take a hit in the process. Zachary Chertok of IDC's Employee Experience practice says the "organizational reorientation" tactic can also lead to "disengagement." Full Story: Computerworld (9/19)
4 Trends in Employee Learning & Development L&D has undergone a profound transformation in recent months as the age of the pandemic ends, much of the workforce returns to the workforce, and the era of AI begins. This eBook looks at four emerging trends in L&D today. Access eBook »
How to make your diverse workers feel less "other" A truly inclusive culture works to make employees feel less "other" and instead celebrates and rewards individual talents and contributions, Tricia Montalvo Timm writes. Employers can do 7 things to drive an inclusive culture, including welcoming diverse opinions, getting rid of terms such as "diversity hire" and avoiding moments of "otherness" like asking diverse workers to be featured on corporate websites, Montalvo Timm advises. Full Story: Training magazine (9/15)
Benefits & Compensation
Lack of fertility coverage affects employee finances World Health Organization research shows that about one in six people experience fertility problems, but some employees noted in a survey that they would have to incur major debt, take money from their savings or get a second job to pay for fertility treatment because their workplace plans don't cover it. In vitro fertilization can cost a patient up to $25,000 without insurance, and intrauterine insemination may cost several thousand dollars. Full Story: Employee Benefit News (free registration) (9/15)
Path to Workforce
NACE calls out unpaid internships The National Association of Colleges and Employers is championing paid work for interns with a humorous series of six videos. One 60-second video shows an intern trying to secure an apartment by giving a realtor the commemorative mug and high five she received for her work. Full Story: Ad Age (tiered subscription model) (9/19)
The Mayo Clinic's model of care -- completely patient-focused and each person's responsibilities clear -- is a great template for a new leadership development clinic model, executive coach and author Art Petty writes. It would approach leadership development as core to the company, tailored to the individual and requiring a team effort, Petty asserts. Full Story: SmartBrief/Leadership (9/19)
SmartBreak: Question of the Day
Inventor Elisha Otis wanted to go to California to join the gold rush, but he decided to stay in New York once he sold his first passenger elevator. Who bought it?
In January, my dear friend Paul* and his wife Vanessa* welcomed adorable twin boys into the world. I wasn’t there at the birth, but I know Paul well enough to know that he was a mess of tears when he saw his boys emerge from their cocoon. As well he should. Paul and Vanessa went through to rounds of in vitro fertilization to get pregnant. The first two rounds were unsuccessful. Their third try would be the last. Their employer-supplied insurance covered up to three rounds. “After that, we’re done,” he told me. “We’ll be tapped out, moneywise.” But the third time is the charm, as they say. The IVF worked. Paul was over-the-moon joyful when he contacted me with the news. “Twin boys!” he texted with excitement. “They’re due in January!” I thought of Paul and Vanessa as I read today’s Benefits & Compensation story. Family matters to employees and those struggling to conceive will likely be drawn to organizations that offer fertility benefits. Right now, under 50% of US organizations offer fertility benefits in their 2023 benefits packages, according to a report from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. But that is likely to change -- and soon. A study by virtual platform Maven found that 63% of HR professionals expect their organization to increase family health benefit options over the next few years. Where are you in this conversation? Does your organization cover fertility benefits? Let me know! And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also. *Names changed to protect subject privacy.
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