Behind the workplace suicide of a Wells Fargo employee | Recovering manager-subordinate time in a remote world | Why you should be more flexible about daily habits
Greg Beckett, a Wells Fargo employee, ended his life at his workplace in January, leaving no note or signs of distress in his final hours, but family and friends say his suicide came during an extended period of stress and long hours at work. Behavioral scientist Larry Barton says companies seeking help from his practice for workplace suicides or mental-health issues have risen by a third this year. Full Story: The Wall Street Journal (9/30)
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Recruiting & Retention
Recovering manager-subordinate time in a remote world Opportunities for employees to keep their managers updated on projects, goals and challenges have dwindled since so many work arrangements have become remote, but there are ways to address this issue, writes Sandra Vogel. Carving out opportunities to be approachable, such as videoconference catch-ups that don't have strict agendas, can help, writes Vogel. Full Story: IT Pro (9/28)
Certain exercises are beneficial at different life stages Exercise experts say nearly any type of physical activity that provides enjoyment and makes people feel good can be appropriate and healthful at different age levels. Still, there are some types of activity that are especially beneficial for particular age groups, ranging from active play in children to balance and core strength exercises for people ages 80 and older. Full Story: The Guardian (London) (9/29)
Benefits & Compensation
Research shows firms that rank high in benefit satisfaction Recent surveys indicate that 78% of US workers are more likely to stay with an employer because of good benefits, and 61% of companies and organizations are actively polling their people to find out which benefit offerings they care about most. An analysis by Comparably lists large employers that rank highly in terms of staff satisfaction with company benefits. Full Story: Employee Benefit News (free registration) (9/28)
The HR Leader
How well do you speak without words? A manager's body language plays a vital role in others' views and responses to their leadership, executive leadership coach Lolly Daskal writes, noting that 93% of communication has been shown to be nonverbal. To be an effective communicator, practice some key body language tips, such as maintaining eye contact and using a physically open posture. Daskal advises. Full Story: Lolly Daskal (9/29)
Happy 99th birthday, Jimmy Carter (b. Oct. 1, 1924)! With a resume that included the Camp David Accords and the Panama Canal and SALT treaties, he won a Nobel Peace Prize in what year?
Reading today’s top story about Wells Fargo employee Greg Beckett taking his own life at work hurt. It reminded me that many people around me are buckling under heavy burdens. A rebellious child. Financial insecurity. Broken marriages and relationships. Health concerns. Carrying for a family member. What we carry in our hearts, we bring into our workplaces. We try to shelve these issues during the work day, but they still derail our attention. And they can drive us to the frayed edges of our emotional resolve. Experts are calling on employers to step into the gap and boost their support for employees. Are you doing that? Have you added mental wellness support to your benefits packages? Are you providing training to your managers so they can identify someone who’s hurting and might be considering death by suicide? If you are not doing these things now, do you plan to do them in 2024? Let me know! And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also.
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