American Psychological Association research shows that more than one in five US employees have experienced mental health harm in the workplace, and 22% say they have been the target of harassment compared to 14% last year, while other research shows that 64% of employees have experienced toxic behavior including disrespectful, unethical, abusive and noninclusive treatment. It's incumbent on employers and human resource departments to provide environments where staff members feel more supported, experts say. Full Story: Employee Benefit News (free registration) (10/12)
Initial jobless claims stay at 209K Initial jobless claims held steady at 209,000 for the week through Oct. 7, according to the Labor Department, and the four-week moving average of claims declined to 206,250. "Even as the Fed has taken aggressive action to soften labor market conditions, businesses are not shedding workers at a rapid pace," said Rubeela Farooqi of High Frequency Economics. Full Story: The Associated Press (10/12)
RD: Watch for habits that may sabotage healthful eating Even if your intention is to eat a healthful diet, several habits can sabotage your efforts, according to registered dietitian LeeAnn Weintraub, who lists the more common ways people undermine their healthful eating patterns. Weintraub says to avoid skipping meals or overly restricting what you eat, eating mindlessly while watching television or scrolling social media, or developing unhealthful snacking habits. Full Story: Los Angeles Daily News (10/10)
Benefits & Compensation
SSA announces cost of living increase for retirees The Social Security Administration announced that beginning in January 2024, retired Americans' average monthly Social Security payment will increase by $59 to $1,906, a rise of 3.2%. Some experts contend that the Social Security cost of living increase doesn't accurately reflect the real rate of inflation experienced by older adults because of their age group's particular spending habits. Full Story: BenefitsPRO (free registration) (10/12)
A leader's most valuable superpower is seeing the future, which is possible by keeping abreast of studies and analyses. "[L]eaders with the superpower of seeing (and seizing) this future are well poised to plan for -- and even change it -- by taking several steps today," leadership coach Julie Winkle Giulioni writes. Full Story: SmartBrief/Leadership (10/12)
What kind of leader are you? If there’s a need, are you able to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty to fill the gap? That’s what Randal Lutz, superintendent of Baldwin-Whitehall School District in Pittsburgh, is doing for his students. Like many districts across the country, Baldwin-Whitehall is dealing with a shortage of bus drivers. The shortage caused the the school district to close its doors for two days last month. That was unacceptable to Lutz. To make sure it didn’t happen again, he began the process of getting his commercial driver’s license. “I have been interested in getting a commercial driver’s license for several years, as the driver-shortage problem started to accelerate. I started the training three weeks ago. I’ll complete it in eight weeks, best-case scenario,” Lutz told Education Week. That’s the kind of leader I want to be -- the kind that is multi-skilled, has no ego and can step in wherever there’s a need to solve problems. What about you? Can you do a Lutz? 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.
