More workforce cost-cutting measures at Gannett | Specifics entice compatible workers, recruiter says | How to ensure effectiveness in a hybrid meeting
Gannett is continuing cost-cutting measures following the axing of 400 open posts and the layoff of 400 employees two months ago. The company has paused recruitment, suspended 401(k) matching, is requiring all employees to take a week of unpaid leave in December and is offering voluntary redundancies, unpaid sabbaticals of up to six months and work schedules with less hours. Full Story: Poynter (10/12),USA Today (10/12),The New York Times (10/12)
Municipal Credit Backdrop Institutional investors, time to consider a strategic allocation to muni bonds? MFS' experts explore opportunities and potential headwinds. Learn more
ADVERTISEMENT:
Recruiting & Retention
Specifics entice compatible workers, recruiter says Applicants tend to ignore job postings that lack detail or compensation information, Caitlyn Metteer, a recruitment director, says. Transparency and specifics about the job and its role in the company can help prospects evaluate their compatibility with the culture, adds Metteer, who suggests using "You'll get to work with..." or "We value..." or other similar phrases. Full Story: Employee Benefit News (free registration) (10/12)
HR is constantly changing, don't fall behind Ensure you are prepared for the evolving world of work with SHRM educational programs. With a wide variety of courses to choose from, there is something for everyone. Find yours today.
Many Americans are looking to delay retirement Many baby boomers are planning to work longer or skip retirement entirely, according to a study by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies in collaboration with the Transamerica Institute. However, having a contingency plan is crucial, as unforeseen events can sometimes force people to retire sooner than they expect. Full Story: MarketWatch (tiered subscription model) (10/12)
Technology
Online tool rates employers' military leave policies The Friendly Forces advocacy group has launched an online tool that rates employers based on their military leave policies, with those offering paid leave and differential pay on top. "Just saying you love veterans and troops doesn't really help me if you don't have a policy that supports them getting called up for a domestic emergency or deployment or anything like that, because you can talk all day about loving veterans, but it really comes down to, 'Are your policies truly supporting them or not?' " asked Eric Evans, an Army Reserve captain and CEO of Friendly Forces. Full Story: Military online (10/7)
The HR Leader
5 rules to create effective one-on-one meetings One-on-one meetings with direct reports are more effective when they have a clear purpose, active listening from leaders and end on a proactive note, writes John Schwepker, executive vice president of sales at Abstrakt Marketing Group. "Actions speak much louder than words, and maintaining a set schedule for one-on-ones lets your employees know you are serious about their success," Schwepker writes. Full Story: SmartBrief/Leadership (10/12)
About the Editor
Kanoe Namahoe
My son wanted career advice. He was applying for a few IT jobs in Texas, where he and his family are planning to move. He wanted my input on the jobs and on earning IT certifications. “Here’s the thing,” he started. “Some of the certs I’m looking at aren’t a direct link to the jobs I’m applying for. It won’t hurt me to have them. I just don’t know if I should waste my time on them.” I smiled. “Do them,” I said, putting my hand on his arm. My own career journey flashed through my head. I thought of all the times I took on projects and tasks that weren’t directly relevant to my job but did give me some valuable experiences and increased my skill set. They also led me to the work I do now, as an editor and manager. “They may not be a direct link, but they will beef up your resume and your IT expertise. And they make you more marketable and that will often lead you to work that you really love,” I explained. Our SmartQuote today is from Dame Angela Lansbury, who passed this week at her home in Los Angeles. Her storied career included work in film, television and on the stage. My mother loved her as Jessica Fletcher on “Murder, She Wrote.” Lansbury believed, as I do, in taking advantage of different trainings and professional opportunities. "When you get the opportunity to do something that seems above and beyond, or way off center of what you think you should be doing, if you feel you can bring something to the project and do it well, it will often lead you to the thing you really want to do,” Lansbury said in a 2019 article for Backstage. Good words. Thank you, Dame Angela. How can I serve you better with this brief? Let me know! And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also.
Sharing SmartBrief on Workforce with your network keeps the quality of content high and these newsletters free.
