Study: Robots are killing jobs A recent paper argues that six jobs are lost for every robot per 1,000 workers, along with a decline in wages. “The conclusion is that even if overall employment and wages recover, there will be losers in the process, and it’s going to take a very long time for these communities to recover,” said economist Daron Acemoglu, a co-author of the paper. The New York Times (free-article access for SmartBrief readers) (3/28)
Generation Z, born from roughly 1995 to 2010, is starting to enter the workforce. For organizations trying to prepare, "[i]t's not about 'out with the old and in with the new,' it's about anticipating where the conflicts might be and how best to prepare," says David Stillman. HR People + Strategy Blog (3/27)
Leadership & Development
How to help employees get more sleep Company sleep-wellness programs and nap rooms can help employees who suffer from sleep deprivation, which can hurt productivity, increase absenteeism and lead to injury. The programs screen workers for sleep disorders, provide sleep coaches and offer therapy. Bloomberg BNA (free content) (3/28)
Benefits & Compensation
States consider expanding Medicaid after AHCA failure More states are taking steps toward expanding Medicaid eligibility, with Kansas legislators voting in favor of expansion this week, while other states are exploring the idea after the failure of the American Health Care Act. Virginia's governor plans to use a budget amendment for expansion; Maine residents will vote on the idea in November; North Carolina's governor is pushing for expansion, although that effort was halted by a federal court; and Idaho, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Utah and Wyoming may also revisit expansion. The Atlantic online (3/29),The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (3/28)
Technology
Experts: Fitness trackers increase security risks Companies may not face a big security risk by including wearable devices in their wellness programs, experts say, but the trackers can be hacked so precautions are needed. Some steps include making sure that employee health data collected is anonymized, segregating the devices to their own network and limiting access to the information. CIO.com (3/28)
Companies should update social media guidelines annually to keep employees aware of what's acceptable behavior, as well as to avoid legal problems and protect company information, writes Meghan Biro, CEO of TalentCulture Consulting Group. "It's always better to err on the side of caution and be as specific as possible in your social media document," she writes. Entrepreneur online (3/27)
