Nearly half of employers are running etiquette training for workers, per ResumeBuilder.com, with education related to appropriate dress and workplace conversations some of the top skills covered. The need is due to a lack of soft skills among younger workers as companies bring employees back to the office, the survey suggests. Full Story: WorkLife (7/26)
Recruiting & Retention
UPS avoids strike after reaching agreement with union A potential strike at UPS has been averted after the company reached an agreement with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters over a five-year labor contract, applicable to roughly 330,000 union members including package delivery drivers and sorters. The package, valued at around $30 billion, features a key concession from UPS on pay levels for temporary workers. Full Story: The Wall Street Journal (7/25),Bloomberg (7/25),The Associated Press (7/25),Reuters (7/25)
Executive salary cuts part of cost-reduction playbook Some technology companies are cutting executive base salaries as part of their cost reduction efforts. Executives' base salaries comprise a fraction of overall executive compensation, and the cuts are largely a symbolic gesture to show solidarity with employees and acknowledge tough economic conditions. Such cuts have extended beyond chief executives to CFOs, operations leaders and corporate attorneys. Full Story: The Wall Street Journal (7/24)
Path to Workforce
Toyota investment seeks to boost STEM education, careers Toyota USA Foundation has announced grants of up to $5.7 million to support STEM education in two Kentucky counties, along with the Ignite Institute in Northern Kentucky. The Driving Possibilities initiative is intended to prepare students for STEM careers, fostering collaboration and partnerships to develop a skilled workforce. Full Story: WDKY-TV (Danville, Ky.) (7/24)
Creating a cohesive, happy team is the cornerstone of success, and Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone insists it's all about "building relationships and instilling belief." Business consultant S. Chris Edmonds explains that "[p]urposeful, positive, productive work cultures generate remarkable benefits," including significant employee engagement and retention, strong customer service and much better profits. Full Story: SmartBrief/Leadership (7/25)
SmartBreak: Question of the Day
The first US postage stamps issued in 1847 were 5 cents for a half-ounce letter. What's the maximum distance your letter could be delivered back then? Check your answer here.
A Starbucks run for a grande Americano with a splash of oatmilk. Tossing a load of laundry into the washing machine. Tidying up the kitchen. Placing an Instacart order. Answering a text from my granddaughter. Running to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription. Starting dinner. These are some of the ways I, as a remote worker, use breaks during my day, which is the topic of our Leadership & Development story from the Wall Street Journal. The story talks about the differences in breaks among people who work remotely and those who work in the office. For me breaks are about productivity, no matter where I am. If I’m stepping away from my desk for 10 minutes to marinate steaks or grab a snack from the office vending machine, I’m giving my brain a break. This is especially important when I’m editing or writing. The refresh allows me to tackle a task with fresh eyes -- and with fresh eyes I can spot errors or gaps that I missed before. Do you take breaks? How do you spend them? Do you think about breaks as deeply as this story does -- or is a break just a break for you? Let me know! And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also.
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