Proposed bill would toughen labor laws, protect children | Survey: Third of employees would negotiate to keep jobs | Create a culture of "in-role CEOs" to successfully implement change
Democrats have introduced the Let's Protect Workers Act to increase penalties for child labor violations and other labor law breaches, including minimum wage and health and safety rules. This legislative move comes as child labor violations have surged 88% in the US from 2019 to 2023. Full Story: The Guardian (London) (7/26)
Employees are showing they're willing to negotiate to keep their jobs as the employment market becomes more favorable for employers and the cost of living goes up, according to a Resume Builder survey, which found close to a third of employees say they'd take a pay reduction or demotion to avoid getting laid off. Employers should be honest about the reason for layoffs and help employees adjust to their next career move because companies reducing employment now will likely need to replenish their workforce when economic conditions change, says Stacie Haller, chief career adviser at Resume Builder. Full Story: Employee Benefit News (free registration) (7/24)
Calif. high court: Gig workers are independent contractors The California Supreme Court, ruling in favor of ride-share companies including Uber and Lyft, has maintained the state's classification of gig workers as independent contractors. The court dismissed a legal challenge by a drivers' group and a labor union and upheld Proposition 22, which mandates certain benefits for gig workers, but not at the same level as for workers classified as employees. Full Story: Engadget (7/25)
In "Star Wars," the character of Han Solo is a consummate "space cowboy" who can get himself and others out of a jam, but team members who like to save the day cannot thrive unless your culture invites them to become a team player as well, writes leadership coach Kristin Hendrix. "When our environment encourages team over self, every Han has a choice: Be 'Han about it' or grow into a team player with cool ideas, creative problem solving, and yes, the ability to get out of jam," Hendrix writes. Full Story: Leadership Vitae (7/25)
Workplace Chatter
"Skywalkers: A Love Story" was hard to NOT watch If you are scared of heights, do not watch this documentary because there are moments in the film when you might feel queasy ... even though you are watching from the safety and comfort of your own home! To be clear, rooftoppers are the death-defying kind of crazy that puts them in a category like the people who free solo in wingsuits. This documentary takes you behind-the-scenes with the most famous rooftopping couple in the world. Full Story: Netflix (6/22)
SmartBreak: Question of the Day
I just learned that Hello Kitty is NOT a cat, but what?
Employees want to work remotely. Employers want workers in the office. The tug-of-war has been going back and forth over the last two years, as the pandemic waned and work life returned to normal (or some semblance thereof.) But some employees need remote work or hybrid work accommodations, as we see in our Leadership & Development story today from SmartBrief Leadership. Author and behaviorial scientist Gleb Tsipursky -- dubbed the “Office Whisperer” by The New York Times -- speaks with Keith Sonderling, commissioner of the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, about how to manage the murky waters of remote and hybrid work policies. Employers have the right to call workers to their offices -- there’s no federal protection for telework, Sonderling says -- but this can get a bit complicated when workers made requests for special accommodations, under the Americans with Disabilities Act. And it’s not just the challenge of working out the accommodations. It’s also handling the potential perception, by other employees, of inequity and unfairness. That could turn into a workplace into a war field. But Tsispursky outlines a detailed three-point plan -- educate and communicate; transparency and consistency; and empathy and support -- that does a good job of balancing legal mandates with workplace morale. Don’t miss this story. I put it in my Pocket and plan to reread it. It’s got a lot of good nuggets for managing employee conversations, applying EEOC guidance and training your managers. Let me know what you think. And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also.
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