Initial claims for unemployment totaled 498,000 last week, the first time the total dipped below 500,000 since the pandemic began, the Labor Department reported on Thursday. On Friday, the nonfarm payroll count for April is to be released, and economists expect it will show 1 million jobs were added during that month. Full Story: CNBC (5/6)
3 Reasons OKRs Fail Growing Organizations Will growing pains break your business this year? Learn the top three reasons why midmarket companies are especially at risk of missing exponential growth opportunities, and how HR and the C-suite can better align to successfully execute on strategy.
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Recruiting & Retention
Google offers flexibility in future work plans Google has detailed its plan for employees to return to the office with a focus on a hybrid schedule in which employees will work on-site about three days a week. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said the company envisions that about one-fifth of staff members will work from home permanently, another fifth will move to new offices and the rest will work from their current location. Full Story: The Wall Street Journal (5/5),CNBC (5/5)
Sick of biased news? 1440’s got you covered 1440 is the fastest way to an impartial point-of-view. The team at 1440 scours over 100+ media sources ranging from culture and science to sports and politics to create one email that gets you all caught up on the day's events in 5 minutes. It's 100% free, so sign up for 1440 here.
Are you prepared to support employees' mental health? Employers should get ready to help returning employees deal with mental health issues brought on by anxiety and lack of sleep and exercise during the pandemic, psychologists and executives say. "Employees will tell you what they need if you listen," says Rue Dooley, HR knowledge adviser for the Society for Human Resource Management. Full Story: BNN Bloomberg (Canada) (5/5)
The HR Leader
4 characteristics that show you are an authentic leader Leaders can boost morale, productivity and engagement by taking a personal interest in people's lives, being respectful of their time, recognizing success and communicating openly, writes Mike Horne. "Words and actions matter in organizations, and authentic leaders are at the helm of high-performing teams and organizations," he writes. Full Story: SmartBrief/Leadership (5/6)
Workplace Chatter
Mermaids are a big deal in China A resort on the Chinese island of Hainan recently set a world record by having 100 mermaid swimmers in an underwater mermaid show, just one sign of the growing popularity of mermaid diving. Leading instructor Dada Li, who founded a professional team in 2015, says the movie 1980s "Splash" inspired her interest in mermaids. Full Story: CNN (4/30)
About the Editor
Kanoe Namahoe
Today’s SmartQuote highlights wisdom from one of my football favorites, retired Pittsburgh Steeler Troy Polamalu. I’m a huge fan of strong safeties and he’s easily one of the most lethal to play the position (that hit at :45!). He also has a down-to-earth wisdom that I appreciate. He once said in an interview, “I don’t love football -- I love life. Football is not who we are; it’s what we do."
I need this reminder from time to time. We should invest in our careers -- time, effort, energy -- but it shouldn’t define us. It shouldn’t own us. It’s the means to an end but not the whole of our character. Have a terrific Mother’s Day weekend, everyone. Big mahalo nui loa to my mother, Keala Namahoe, and all the mothers in the Workforce audience for your love and endless patience. Your work allows your families to achieve their best. Tell me how this brief can serve you better. And send this link to others who should receive it.
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