AI integration raises job security concerns among workers | 5 ways data analytics is reshaping the practice of HR | Study: 89% of US workers say flexible work is a primary mental health need
Forty-four percent of US employees have seen AI processes integrated into their roles over the past year, with 28% fearing job reduction or replacement, according to a recent Grant Thornton survey. The report suggests that understanding AI's benefits could ease these concerns. Grant Thornton advises business leaders to address concerns to maintain organizational effectiveness. Full Story: CFO Dive (11/5)
Recruiting & Retention
5 ways data analytics is reshaping the practice of HR Using the power of data analytics in HR can improve recruitment, make it easier to manage performance, identify skills gaps to design training modules, contribute to succession planning and provide more insight into employee satisfaction. Best practices when using data analytics for HR include specifying objectives, including team members from diverse functional areas and safeguarding private data. Full Story: Tech Funnel (10/31)
Survey: Many Americans support pensions for all workers A National Institute on Retirement Security survey shows that 86% of Americans believe all workers should have pensions, not just public employees. The survey highlights pensions as effective tools for attracting and retaining public service workers. Full Story: BenefitsPRO (free registration) (11/5)
Path to Workforce
Is academia starting to "get it" with the trades? Amid a shift away from traditional college paths, educational institutions are increasingly embracing skilled trades, with many high schools and colleges now incorporating career and technology education programs and facilities to meet workforce demands. Cliff Whittingstall of PBK notes that these modern training centers, which prioritize advanced machinery, collaboration spaces and industry partnerships, are helping reshape perceptions of trade careers, offering students debt-free pathways to stable, high-paying jobs and fostering closer ties between education and local businesses to address the skilled labor shortage. Full Story: Forbes (tiered subscription model) (11/3)
Kate Rehling outlines 12 key talent management strategies for 2025, emphasizing the importance of growth guides, recruitment, onboarding and employee engagement. Each month focuses on a specific area, such as using Growth Guides to enhance manager-employee relationships in January and conducting Culture and Engagement Surveys in June to boost productivity and retention. Full Story: The Center for Sales Strategy (11/4)
SmartBreak: Question of the Day
On Nov. 6, 1988, long distance running great Grete Waitz crossed the finish line first among all women at the New York City Marathon, tallying nine career wins up to that point. What place did she finish in her 10th race?
It’s been a tense week. My 5-year-old grandson was admitted to the hospital Sunday for Scalded Skin Syndrome, a condition where the skin blisters and peels. It’s a bacterial infection and highly painful. He wasn’t able to talk or walk for the first few days because it hurt for him to do so. He’s being treated and seems to be on the road up, but hasn’t been released to go home yet. Kiaha and his wife have taken time off work to be at the hospital with him. I was concerned that my son would be nervous about missing work, even in this circumstance. Turns out, I had no reason to worry. When Kiaha told his supervisor what was happening, he received this note: “[T]ake the time you need. [T]hese are other folks’ kids. Yours needs his daddy. I’ll be praying for him.” That is a leader. That text eliminated all of Kiaha’s work concerns, and he was able to be mentally and physically present for his son and wife. Smart managers know the power and importance of exercising empathy with their teams. They make it part of their leader toolkit, as we see in today’s Leadership & Development story: “The understanding of empathy in the workplace – the ability to understand and share the feelings or perspectives of others – has evolved from a ‘nice-to-have’ leadership trait to an essential component of a thriving working environment. Organizations that actively cultivate empathy are better equipped to address the employee stress and burnout that often leads to low morale, absenteeism, and turnover,” writes Marcy Klipfel. How do you nurture empathy in your leaders? How do you identify this quality in potential leader job candidates? Drop me a line. I’d love to hear your experiences. Do you enjoy this brief? Share it with others. Want different stories? Something about it bug you? Tell me. In the words of Frasier Crane, “I’m listening.”
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