Brenton Yuen, former chief of psychiatry at Hawaii State Hospital, has filed a lawsuit against the hospital, alleging he was demoted for raising concerns about severe understaffing and a dangerous work environment. Yuen, who has witnessed attacks on staff by patients, says the patient-to-psychiatrist ratio is often double the recommended level, creating safety risks. The hospital has faced similar issues for decades, including a recent incident where a nurse was fatally stabbed by a patient. Full Story: Honolulu Civil Beat (6/19)
Recruiting & Retention
HR leader: Employee well-being key to business success Part of what makes companies successful is their focus on the well-being of their employees, says Amalgamated Life Insurance HR executive Leslie Bostic. "Employees are more actively using their benefits, and companies are more supportive of this, understanding that a balanced life leads to a more positive, productive workforce," says Bostic, who notes mental health support, paid family leave and hybrid work are critical benefits for employee satisfaction and retention. Full Story: StrategicCHRO360 (6/16)
Report: Many workers fail to invest money in HSA accounts A report from the Employee Benefit Research Institute finds that 85% of health savings account holders aren't investing their funds, despite HSAs being a powerful long-term savings vehicle -- especially for retirement health care costs. Among the reasons the report cites for lack of investment are holders using them for short-term medical costs, low account balances and a lack of education about the accounts' tax benefits. Full Story: Financial Planning (6/18)
Helicopter managers, who hover over their teams and are reluctant to delegate, may be acting from anxiety (unlike micromanagers who are fueled by distrust and perfectionism) and can adversely affect team morale, but Betterwork's Michelle Gouldsberry recommends setting clear goals and outcomes for managers, training them in effective feedback techniques and coaching them in the essentials of their job. "When helicopter behaviors occur across teams, it's a sign that the system, not just the individuals, needs attention," Gouldsberry writes. Full Story: Betterworks (6/13)
Welcome to Friday Faves! Every Friday, I spotlight books, podcasts, articles, email newsletters, documentaries or other content pieces that I enjoy. I also share suggestions that I get from you. Got a favorite for your peers? Send it to me. I may include it here for a future column. Aloha dear SmartBrief on Workforce readers, You may have noticed that our Workplace Chatter section has changed in recent weeks. Instead of running one story each week, I’m running five -- fun, interesting stories that I collect throughout the week. You guys are thinkers. You enjoy intelligent content that gives you something to chew on and ponder. So I know you’re going to enjoy today’s selection. The section is my pick for Friday Faves. And believe it or not, there was a rhyme or reason for each story. Ever wonder which bread is better for you, sourdough or whole wheat? That’s me, every week in the bread aisle at Whole Foods (muttering to myself). My agony is now over, thanks to two dieticians who break it all down in plain, simple English. Finally. The pandemic was rough on everyone, but especially for brand-new teachers. Their careers were supposed to start in classrooms, not on Zoom calls. Many left the field before the pandemic was declared over. Not Alicia Simba, though. The transitional kindergarten teacher in Oakland, California not only stuck it out, she fell in love with the profession. Don’t miss this story. It’s your shot of feel good for the week. The smell of charcoal and teriyaki will always remind me of happy times at family barbecues. Plates loaded with Dad’s teriyaki chicken, rice, Grandma’s Chinese noodles and Aunty Kathy’s mac salad. Everyone ate, talked story, laughed and just enjoyed being together. When we pau eat, the uncles and Grandpa would get out their ukulele and play music. What foods and smells bring back warm memories for you? Books are my happy place. They have been my whole life. My bookshelves are crowded with books about theology and doctrine, history, parenting, business strategy, and education practices. My childhood favorites, which I shared with my kids, are on the bottom shelf so my grandchildren can enjoy them too. Reading is soothing and comforting to me. What about you? Unicorn trainer and crayon color picker could be jobs one day, according to the results of a LinkedIn poll by Education Week. Teachers asked their students about jobs they would like to have and shared some of their input in the comments section. Sign me up for chocolate taster, for sure. I’ll pass on the pet food taster and on running a daycare in a casino (little concerned about these kids). What stories struck your fancy? Let me know! I’ll see you back here Monday. Have a great weekend! 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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