The shootings last weekend in Texas and Ohio have prompted new conversations among employees and managers about workplace safety, especially at businesses with high consumer foot traffic. Some workers say they are devising their own safety plans, including hiding in walk-in coolers in a food shop or among racks of clothes in a retail store.

More companies are offering employee student-loan repayment help as a way to attract employees, particularly millennials. House and Senate lawmakers introduced a bill in February that, if passed, would provide tax relief to companies offering this incentive.

When adjusted for inflation, income hasn't increased significantly over the past two decades because of skyrocketing health care costs for employers, writes Bob Herman. Studies have found the average cut a family health plan took from employee take-home pay rose from 14% in 1999 to 31% in 2017.

Repeated cyberattacks on the financial sector show the importance of employee cybersecurity training at all levels. HR departments must comply with and enforce security policies related to email, password strength, technology for remote workers and 401(k) plan cybersecurity, writes Roy Maurer.

HR leaders face the task of building workplace cultures that engage and connect diverse talent, according to research by Willis Towers Watson and HR People + Strategy. "Just as organizations strive to be customer-centric, they must also endeavor to create a talent experience that puts workers at its center," write Suzanne McAndrew and HR People + Strategy Executive Director Lisa Connell.