Tax break offered for hiring teenagers this summer | Pennsylvania gets ahead of 18K state job retirements | Use these 3 steps to make hard conversations easier
Hiring a teenager for a summer job comes with a bonus for the business -- a $1,200 work opportunity tax credit, part of a federal program to provide incentives for hiring certain demographic groups. To qualify, the teenager must live in an empowerment zone, be 16 or 17 years old and work between May 1 and Sept. 15. Full Story: Inc. (tiered subscription model) (5/15)
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Recruiting & Retention
Pennsylvania gets ahead of 18K state job retirements Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order at a state job fair to make public service jobs more attractive amid an impending retirement wave of 18,000 workers, a quarter of the state workforce, in the next five years. The job fair featured 40 state agencies recruiting for nearly 600 positions. The order establishes the HIRE Committee to pioneer initiatives such as recruitment incentives, mentorship programs, expanded childcare and mental health support. Full Story: Governing (5/14)
Uncover the hidden force impacting performance Arbinger's latest survey revealed that 100% of workplace challenges that were reported, tie back to people and culture issues. Yet, cultural issues are largely underestimated as the culprit for workplace challenges. We've found an undeniable link between cultural strength and team performance. Download Arbinger's new research report to see the data results for yourself.
The average supply chain salary rose above $100,000 for the first time in 2023, hitting an average of $103,000, according to a survey from the Association for Supply Chain Management. Professionals with a degree earned $25,000 more on average than colleagues without a degree, while certifications also boosted salaries by a median of $10,000. Full Story: Supply Chain Management Review (5/14)
The HR Leader
HR leader spearheads LGBTQ+ initiatives at Coca-Cola Antony Kontellis, senior HR director at Coca-Cola and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, reflects on how his challenges in youth inspired his dedication to diversity and inclusion, leading him to spearhead Coca-Cola's LGBTQI+ Inclusion Network. "Our overall DEI strategy focuses on creating a better shared future for all, and leading the way in our workplace, community, and business," said Kontellis, adding that one of the main goals of Coca-Cola's European LGBTQI+ Inclusion Network is to create a safe space for all employees. Full Story: Attitude (U.K.) (5/13)
Crop tops have joined the business casual wardrobe, paired with high-waisted slacks, skirts, and a blazer. While not suitable in all business settings, women say they can be done in an "executive-friendly" way acceptable for most corporate dress codes. Full Story: The Wall Street Journal (5/9)
SmartBreak: Question of the Day
The fictional kingdom of Listentoemholler comes from the imagination of which author?
My friend Kari* recently moved out of the house she was sharing with a traveling nurse. She and the nurse, who owned the home, got along well, but weren’t close. I asked her if that’s why she moved out. “Kind of,” she said, looking at me over her coffee cup. She leaned in and whispered, “She asked me for my urine.” My mouth dropped open and I did a double take. Kari explained that the woman had been chosen at random for a drug test. Her employer held these regularly. Unfortunately for her, she had gotten high over the weekend while hanging out with some friends and was concerned that there was still traces of marijuana in her system. If the test came back positive, she would lose her job. Kari is a straight shooter. She enjoys wine, but doesn’t do drugs of any kind. She quickly, but politely, turned down the request. Yesterday’s top story about the number of employees cheating on employer drug tests had me raising an eyebrow. I was stunned to see that the percentage of invalid urine specimens spiked from .31% in 2022 to 45.2% in 2023. That’s a six-fold jump, year over year. Six. Fold. Let that sink in. What do you think? Does this bother you at all? It bothers me. I get that society now looks at weed like it’s kale (though some experts disagree), but it seems very cavalier to shirk one’s work policy. I’m not talking about people who use it for medicinal purposes. They’re in a different category. Let me know your thoughts, provided they are expressed with respect. And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also. * Name changed to preserve privacy.
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