Women are being driven out of the workforce during the pandemic for many reasons, but the most significant factor is the "time bias," says "Fair Play" author Eve Rodsky. "Since birth, women have been conditioned to value their time less than men's time," Rodsky says, noting that it's no surprise women are struggling more during the pandemic when they are "drowning in the invisible work."

Companies are increasingly adding flexibility to their time-off policies, including floating holidays, PTO, and time off for caregiving. Three-quarters of companies also offer paid time off immediately for new hires, according to a recent report from International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.

American LGBTQ workers have no federal workplace protection, no protection in 29 states, and 53% feel driven to keep their identity secret at work, writes Dexter Morse, former director of industry risk management and insurance at The International Air Transport Association. Morse offers suggestions for creating an inclusive workplace culture, such as by implementing a zero-tolerance harassment policy and creating LGBTQ employee groups and mentoring programs.

The pandemic has spurred a change in the use of employer benefits, including a major drop in the use of commuter benefits and preventative health care, and increases in mental health provisions, flexible work schedules and child care support. "The enhanced and flexible benefit offerings as a response to COVID-19 may set the bar for the way talent is recruited and retained," says TriNet CEO and president Burton Goldfield.

Stay in control of your emotions during a conflict by deescalating your reactions as the other person grows more agitated, writes Gary Genard. "The rule of thumb is: the louder your opponent becomes, the softer you should be in reply," he writes.

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