Mask Mandates Lift Across the Nation, Leaving Coworkers at Odds

HR expert explains how to navigate conflicting mask viewpoints in the office

MaskAs counties and states across the nation drop their mask mandates, Americans are at odds over whether the decision to un-mask is safe or not.

“What we are seeing is that many people are afraid to take their masks off,” says Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA, a national employment solutions firm. “And not necessarily because of the virus. But because they worry that they will be judged or their careers will be harmed if they drop the mask.”

Wilson says industries like hospitality are in a particularly tricky spot.

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Office Romances Increase as Workers Go Back to the Office

Employment trends expert Rob Wilson weighs in on the rise of office romances

Office Romances Increase as Workers Go Back to the Office Earlier this year CNN President Jeff Zucker was forced to resign from his position due to a consensual relationship he had with a junior employee. Zucker and his employee didn’t disclose their relationship, which apparently continued on for many years, until the long-kept secret finally came to light.

“Zucker’s shocking secret couldn’t have been revealed at a more opportune time. With millions of employees returning to in-office work in 2022, it is time to reconsider office romance,” says Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA and employment trends expert. “After the last 2 years on Zoom or on rotating schedules, this year will probably be the first time that many Americans are fully back in the office with all of their coworkers.”

And after so much time behind a Zoom screen and isolated from in-person human contact, office romances could be on the rise.

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HR Chat w/Employco USA: The Great Resignation

We receive a number of questions from our clients as we consult them on a variety of HR issues.

In this video, Rob and Jason discuss why employees are quitting their jobs. They cover the Great Resignation, recent stats from the last 6 months of 2021, boomerang employees, the biggest industries being affected, and more.

Questions? We’re here to help. Contact us for strategies to help retain employees and attract new talent via our website or email hr@employco.com.

HR Newsletter: Voluntary Benefits Trends to Watch in 2022

Voluntary Benefits Trends to Watch in 2022

Benefits have always been crucial for attracting and retaining top performers, and voluntary benefits are a great way for employers to round off their offerings. These extra perks allow for more personalization that can help satisfy the unique needs of each worker, especially in today’s multigenerational workforce. A rising number of organizations recognize that voluntary benefits are beneficial to employees and their families—and many come at little to no cost for the employer. This article highlights three voluntary benefits trends to monitor in 2022.

  1. Emphasis on Holistic Voluntary Benefits Offerings – The voluntary benefits market has been expanding steadily over the years and will continue to grow in 2022. Nearly all employers (94%) find voluntary benefits important to their talent and total rewards strategies over the next three years. Back in 2018, just 36% of employers felt that way. It’s expected that more employers this year will offer a wide range of voluntary benefits options to meet the needs of their current and prospective employees. Dental and vision care continue to be standard voluntary benefits. As the pandemic continues to impact workplaces and personal lives, nontraditional offerings like critical illness, hospital indemnity, pet insurance, identity theft and group legal are becoming popular. One of the best perks of voluntary benefits is that they are, in fact, optional, so employees can opt for the coverage that matters most to them. Since employees often face unique stressors or challenges, employers can offer a wide array of benefits or services to support their workforces. Supplemental offerings could be precisely what employees need to fill in coverage gaps as the pandemic continues.

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HR Newsletter: The Case for Mental Health Benefits

The Case for Mental Health Benefits

Mental health has been a hot topic recently, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past two years, so many people have experienced issues such as burnout, depression, anxiety and substance addiction. In fact, 40% of U.S. adults said they have struggled with mental health or substance abuse during the pandemic, according to a Jellyvision survey.

In 2022, mental health will continue to be a top concern for workplaces, and employers are taking notice. Over 30% of employers have added new mental health benefits within the past year, McKinsey and Company says. Yet, despite increased efforts, nearly 25% of employees still don’t feel supported when it comes to their mental health.

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HR Newsletter: Hybrid Work Model Mistakes to Avoid

Hybrid Work Model Mistakes to Avoid

It’s no shock that the COVID-19 pandemic fueled a pivot towards remote work. And as workplaces reopen, a significant number of employees want to retain their remote status. To accommodate this desire, many employers are using a hybrid work model, allowing employees to work in person some of the time and remotely for the rest. Within this model, it’s critical for employers to understand potential pitfalls and adapt as necessary. Here are three common hybrid work model mistakes to avoid.

  1. Inadequate Policies – If employers don’t have clearly defined hybrid policies detailed in writing, employees and their managers may not understand expectations, which could lead to confusion, improper conduct or missed deadlines. Among other topics, a hybrid work policy might include details on who is eligible for hybrid work, scheduling expectations and technology specifics.

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HR Newsletter: New Infographics

HR Trends 2022

We recently released two new infographics covering new trends in human resources and employee wellness.

2022 HR Trends – In today’s workplace, managers and HR departments are given high levels of responsibility, often with limited budgets. As a result, employers must constantly innovate and stay on top of trends to remain competitive in the current labor market. Click the following link for a PDF copy of our infographic on 2022 HR Trends:

2022 HR Trends Infographic

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(Podcast) Relationships in the Workplace

On this month’s podcast Rob, Scott, and Jason discuss relationships in the workplace. They cover recent news stories, pandemic relationship stats, reviewing your handbook, putting company policies in place, the importance of employee communication and disclosure, Title VII, what’s prohibited by law, and more.

We’re always happy to help with any questions you may have on the latest regulations, government policies, and trending HR topics: hr@employco.com

(Podcast) Relationships in the Workplace

Mandate Madness Wreaks Havoc on Economic Recovery

HR expert discusses how vaccine mandates have slowed down the supply chain and job stability

TruckersTruckers protesting mandated vaccines at the Canadian border have vastly slowed down the supply chain, which was sputtering back to a slow start after a difficult year. However, supply chain slowdowns are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the issues that are arising from vaccine mandates.

“The Freedom Convoy 2022 speaks to a larger social movement that is happening in Canada, the United States, and across the globe,” says employment expert Rob Wilson, President of employment solutions firm Employco USA. “While we all want to reduce COVID rates and recover from this pandemic, businesses are faced with a tough decision when it comes to mandating vaccines and potentially losing employees in an already competitive job market.”

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