The US had a seasonally adjusted total of 11.3 million job openings in May, a strong figure although down from a revised 11.7 million in April, the Labor Department reported. The latest figure is nearly double the 5.95 million unemployed Americans looking for work in May.

When working on equity and inclusion and re-imagining return-to-work policies, HR officers should make sure those plans are flexible and include various work options and leave options, writes consultant Nika White. Making sure policies also include gender-inclusive language and ensuring employees can maintain work-life balance will also help keep employees, White suggests.

Some states have enacted or are considering proposals to prevent wage violations, although some attorneys representing employers have expressed concerns about the potential for additional litigation and other challenges. Alison Silveira, an employment lawyer at Seyfarth Shaw LLP in Boston, noted that a Massachusetts proposal would punish honest mistakes in "the same way as someone who was trying to steal the wages of their workers."

Maria Reis, who is part of the HR team at LG Electronics North America, focuses on creating a positive work culture and making the workplace desirable. When Reis began at LG, she noticed a lack of trust and communication but has spent the last four years focusing on improving that and enhancing the work culture, as well as welcoming change and empowering workers.

NextPlay is an online platform that helps student athletes and alumni connect with each other, leading to professional networking opportunities. "Our platform is a hub for former players to stay engaged with their team, for current players to learn from those who came before them, and for programs to build a legacy that lasts beyond the game into the rest of their lives," says CEO Kyle Mumma.