Hourly workers make up more than 60% of the US workforce, but many feel excluded from development initiatives, according to a report from McLean \\& Co. Human resources leaders can enhance retention and performance by designing programs that reflect the front-line experience, the report says. Full Story: HR Dive (5/7)
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Recruiting & Retention
Brightline turns trains into coworking spaces The Florida rail service Brightline has partnered with Industrious to give passengers in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando dedicated work areas at stations and in train cars. "If people can work from anywhere, then anywhere can be a workplace," says Jamie Hodari, co-founder and CEO of Industrious. Full Story: Fast Company (tiered subscription model) (5/7)
Remote work encourages later retirement for some workers The option to work remotely could lead to delayed retirement for many individuals, and according to the Center for Retirement Research, older workers who have the flexibility to work from home are less likely to retire early. This trend can encourage older employees to extend their careers, increasing their retirement income and benefiting employers with reduced turnover costs. Full Story: Kiplinger (5/2)
Path to Workforce
Labor shortages create opportunities in key industries A report from Resume Now and Talroo's Frontline Worker Index shows significant labor shortages in industries such as warehousing, health care and customer service despite employers raising wages and offering incentives. Job seekers willing to pivot or upskill can find opportunities in these areas, with roles such as medical assistants and patient care technicians in high demand, writes career expert Keith Spencer. Full Story: Salon (5/6)
President Donald Trump's tariff policies are causing anxiety among frontline employees, with a UKG survey showing more than half fear layoffs and most believe their earnings will be affected. HR leaders can help by communicating transparently, offering cross-training and providing financial and mental health support, workforce leaders say. Full Story: WorkLife (5/6)
About the Editor
Reflections
(Kanoe Namahoe)
Skims and Good American co-founder Emma Grede kicked up a firestorm recently when she said that it’s up to employees -- not bosses -- to balance their personal and professional lives. "Work-life balance is your problem. It isn't your employer's responsibility," Grede said during an episode of the podcast Diary of a CEO hosted by Steve Bartlett. You know what? I agree with this statement. Hold on. Easy. Some of you are ready to pounce. Let me explain. My first responsibility to my employer is to do the job I was hired to do, which is to manage a team and create content products. Within that role, I must support my team members and make sure they have everything they need -- resources, systems, equipment, etc -- to do their job. Part of that support includes checking in with my team on a regular basis to make sure everyone is doing well. It means a good human being to them. But there is a line. I care a lot for my team members, but I cannot be responsible for how they balance work and home. They need to do that. They’re adults and professionals. And they’re the only ones who know how to manage that balance. “What if they want to volunteer time each Friday to be in their child’s classroom? Or have to attend to a sick spouse?” Communicate. Talk to me. Let’s discuss a game plan that fits the employee's needs and ensures that the work gets done. That’s fair and reasonable. “Well, people shouldn’t be expected to work outside of normal business hours, or more than 40 hours in a work week.” Flexibility works both ways. If employees want to take time during normal business hours to handle personal affairs, they may have to work outside of those hours to get their work done. This is simple math and common sense. But again, communication can help sort out the details and ensure everyone has what they need. As for the 40-hour work week, I agree. I don’t expect anyone on my team to work more than that. The exception is when we are on assignment covering events. Conferences are long days. But they’re infrequent. And after the event is over, we take time off to relax and decompress. Again, common sense. Give and take. What do you think? What did you think about Grede’s statement that working weekends is necessary to have an “extraordinary life”? (I disagreed, but that’s me.) Let me know! Let’s talk. 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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