A new report from Quest Diagnosis finds that more workers are cheating on their employment drug tests, with invalid urine samples increasing by 45% in a year. Positive tests for marijuana are relatively unchanged in the 24 states that legalized recreational marijuana and the 14 states with medical marijuana, and 6.7% lower in states where marijuana is not legal. Full Story: McKnight's Senior Living (5/16)
Employers should try to move employees to new jobs, other parts of the company or part-time roles before carrying out layoffs, which can have a negative effect on business, say executives, who also suggest salary freezes as an alternative. "I would ask every business to find ways to treat their workers as partners with whom they share their dreams, fears, hopes and goals, while demonstrating to them how they too can achieve their goals while working with you on your dream," says Henry Lukenge, CEO of Nexim Healthcare Consultants. Full Story: The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (tiered subscription model) (5/14)
$20 minimum wage approved for parts of Wash. county The minimum wage in King County, Wash., will be $20.29, effective Jan. 1, for businesses with more than 500 employees in unincorporated parts of the county following a 7-2 council vote. Smaller businesses in the same regions will be required to gradually step up wages to meet the new minimum by 2030. Full Story: The Bellevue Reporter (Wash.) (5/14)
Technology
Wearables help Texas workers stay safe in heat Rogers-O'Brien Construction is complementing its annual spring training for workers on heat safety with technology in the form of wearable sensors. The SafeGuard solution monitors a worker's biometrics including heart rate and core body temperature to issue alerts warning the worker to slow down and, if matters don't improve, alert a safety manager to provide cooling and water. Full Story: Fast Company (tiered subscription model) (5/14)
The HR Leader
Why diversity succeeds when employees feel included Some companies suggest diversity, equity and inclusion should be rebranded, but the better approach is to develop actionable plans for diversity and inclusion and set goals, writes Johannes Lenhard, co-author of "Better Venture" and a University of Cambridge instructor. "The new people you bring in need to be included in your processes: They need to be able to raise their voices, have a share of both power and equity, and feel a sense of belonging," Lenhard writes. Full Story: Fast Company (tiered subscription model) (5/10)
SmartBreak: Question of the Day
AI futurist Fei Fei Li helped develop which imaging technology used to train AI systems?
What say you? Tattoos Yesterday’s column focused on Axios CEO Jim VandeHei and his career journey. Part of that journey included getting a tattoo of the Malawi word “zotheka” on his shoulder. Zotheka means “it’s possible” and, for VandeHei, summed up the essence of his personal journey. It was so meaningful to VandeHei that he used it for the opening chapter of his new book. Tattoos have personal meaning for those who get them. There’s always a story behind them. I have one on my left wrist. It’s the Hebrew word “yovel” which means “jubilee.” It comes from Leviticus 25:10. I got it when my bible study class was learning about the life of Moses. I was struck by the practices of the Jubilee year -- people who were enslaved to pay off debts were freed; property was returned to its original owner; and the land was allowed to rest for one year. I loved that God honored freedom, reset and rest and that he built these ideas into the practices of his community. So just a few weeks later, I got the word tattoed on me. What about you, Workforce readers? Do you have tattoos? What’s your story? Answer our poll below and drop me a line to tell me more.
