It seems we’re a bit obsessed with the word “normal.” We talk about what used to be “normal” and the “new normal” and when we can “return to normal.” In the midst of all this chaos and uncertainty, we want to feel grounded. We miss people and experiences. We want to feel comfortable and at …
As the weeks of business closures have turned into months, many employees haven’t been able to work because their jobs aren’t designed to be remote. With restaurants, retail stores, child care businesses, hotels, and a number of other industries, many of their employees are in jobs that are designed to be done onsite. According to …
Hiring freezes are common strategies when companies need to reduce costs. While the concept may easily make sense on the surface, it must be thoughtfully implemented to make sure you retain employees during a hiring freeze. Current employees dealing with an increased workload and no end in sight can lead to decreased morale, burnout, and …
As the weeks of this pandemic stretch on, we’re coming to really appreciate the jobs and employees we rely on to keep our everyday life intact. Certainly, healthcare workers quickly come to mind, and some healthcare jobs will fall into the scope of this article. Our focus today is on front-line workers in a variety …
Performance management is one of a manager’s most important responsibilities. It helps set the tone for your entire department. Recognizing your high performers while addressing your low performers keeps your employees motivated and moving in the right direction. It tells employees what you’ve determined is important, which indicates the direction in which you’re leading the …
Having trouble keeping your employees engaged while everyone is working from home? Are you getting the sense that they’re losing their motivation? (Maybe you are too?) Many employees have been working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. For a lot of employees, it looks like this will continue for a while. In some ways, we’re …
An article from Today’s Parent popped up in my newsfeed this week describing how working parents are losing steam as they juggle working full-time jobs while also caring full-time for their children without the typical support systems. Being a working parent can already be a difficult juggling act. Add a COVID-19 pandemic shutdown to the …
Here in Georgia, there’s a lot of attention on our state right now as we’ve started reopening. Some businesses were allowed to reopen last week, and restaurants are now allowed to reopen. It’s not “business as usual,” though. For businesses that do choose to reopen, there is a list of guidelines they are required to …
For the week ending April 18, 2020, over 4 million U.S. workers filed for unemployment insurance. This means that, since March 15, over 26 million workers have filed for benefits. If you’re one of the many businesses struggling right now due to COVID-19, you may find yourself considering furloughs, layoffs, or pay reductions. This news …
Earlier this week, SeaWorld disclosed that, while their top executives have received 20% temporary pay cuts, they also received $6.8 million in stock options. This occurred while 90% of their employees are furloughed, not receiving any pay since April 1 and, for the most part, not having their health benefits paid for either. While the …
