Robust job market, spending point to healthy 2019 A healthy labor market and strong consumer spending will help the economy continue growing in 2019 despite the recent scares prompted by a dipping stock market. In addition, overall annual inflation is expected to measure at about 1.9%, which is close to where the Federal Reserve wants it to be, writes Paul Davidson. USA Today (12/28)
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Members of Generation Z are more educated than members of previous generations, have the highest cellphone ownership rate and prioritize job security and work-life balance, writes Cord Himelstein of HALO Recognition. Himelstein offers five ways to better engage with Gen Z workers, including incorporating wellness initiatives into daily operations and offering mentorship programs to nurture career development. SmartBrief/Leadership (12/31)
Tips for managing a flexible workforce A move toward flexibility and the rise of the gig workforce are prompting employers to rethink the way they manage their staff, Stuck On Start Coaching President Curtis Odom writes. Odom offers three strategies for boosting retention, including dropping the 9-to-5 mandate but providing workers a place to mix and collaborate on projects. Training magazine (12/20)
Benefits & Compensation
Suit alleges government is violating fair-labor law The American Federation of Government Employees has sued the government on behalf of federal employees who must work without pay through the shutdown. Heidi Burakiewicz, an attorney representing the employees, says withholding pay violates the Fair Labor Standards Act. HuffPost (12/31)
Path to Workforce
College preps students for careers in natural gas A West Virginia college is helping students prepare for careers in the natural gas industry through its instrumentation program. "The program was started at the request of the gas industry, due to their inability to find candidates with the necessary technical skills for the available positions," says Ken Haynes, an instructional specialist in the program. The Herald-Dispatch (Huntington, W.Va.) (12/30)
The HR Leader
Management and leadership are different things Every organization needs management and leadership, as well as the understanding of their differences, writes Steve Keating. "When you apply management principles to situations where you should be showing leadership characteristics you often make the situation worse," he writes. LeadToday (12/28)
Every grain of experience is food for the greedy growing soul of the artist.
