April 2025 | 58th EDITION NEWSLETTER

WE CAN'T WAIT TO WELCOME YOU BACK!

4 Ways Giving Employees More Freedom Sparks Innovation

Fast Company | Osama Elkady | March 19, 2025

The best leaders find ways to create environments where employees can challenge the status quo, says this CEO.

Innovation doesn’t happen in environments bogged down by rigid rules, excessive oversight, or unnecessary bureaucracy. The most transformative ideas actually emerge when employees have the freedom to experiment, take risks, and truly own their work.

As a former executive at Oracle and the current CEO of the software company Incorta, I’ve seen firsthand that traditional leadership structures often do more to stifle innovation than foster it.

14 Strategies to Build a Positive Work Environment in 2025

Wellness 360 Blog | Madhu Latha | January 14, 2025

Picture this: a workplace where employees don’t just work – they thrive. They’re excited, engaged, and passionate about their work. Innovation flows, collaboration sparks, and challenges are met with enthusiasm. A positive work environment isn’t just a trend; it’s the foundation of a successful, sustainable business.  

In 2025, the most successful companies will prioritize trust, well-being, and connection, creating an atmosphere where employees feel good.  

In this blog, we will discuss what a positive work environment is, why it is important, its benefits, and strategies for creating one. 

Employees Seek Hope, Trust from Workplace Leaders, Gallup Finds

HR Dive | Laurel Kalser | February 13, 2025

Hope is a powerful motivator; without it, people disengage, lose confidence and become less resilient, the firm said.

Workplace leaders hold tremendous potential to improve their employees’ lives: 34% of employed individuals say they are most influenced by a manager, colleague or organizational leader, a percentage slightly less than those who name a family member (44%), according to a Feb. 11 report from Gallup.

The Rise of AI Resentment at Work: Why Employees Are Pushing Back

Forbes | Dr. Diane Hamilton | February 3, 2025

AI has been billed as the ultimate productivity booster, promising to eliminate tedious tasks, enhance decision-making, and even create new opportunities for workers. Yet, in many workplaces, AI is not being met with excitement—it’s being met with resistance. Employees are frustrated, skeptical, and in some cases, outright resentful of the growing role of automation in their jobs. Where is this pushback coming from? And what can companies do to address it?

Best is a tough score to reach, but your conference is right up there with the best ones that I have participated in.

It was an awesome event filled with helpful tools and tips to make HR better.

The team was a true pleasure to work with and put on an awesome event!

Feedback from Spring 2024 MEC Speakers 

Learning From Leveraging the Power of PI Hire - Supporting Hiring for Success

MEC Sponsor BecomeMore Blog | Susan Elder | March 7, 2025

As companies strive to align their talent with business goals, the right hiring decisions are more crucial than ever. Over the past few months, I’ve had the chance to dive deeper into PI Hire, a tool supported by the Predictive Index, a behavioral assessment tool designed to match the right talent with any open roles you are hiring for within your organization. It’s been incredibly insightful, and even though PI has made a few changes to its software, the core of the tool remains as strong as ever when it comes to supporting a company’s hiring process.

Aligning Talent with Organizational Success

One of the biggest learning lessons from supporting client who are currently using PI Hire is the sheer power of understanding behavioral drives and how each of them relates to hiring. While traditional hiring methods often rely heavily on resumes, interviews, and qualifications, PI goes beyond that. It helps uncover a candidate’s natural tendencies, motivations, and their needs—offering a deeper understanding of how they will truly perform in the job and if they will be set up for success in this new role.

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10 Ways Managers Accidentally Destroy Team Morale

FastCompany | featured.com | February 17, 2025

Learn why setting clear expectations and tracking progress is key to a thriving team.

Even managers with the best intentions can sometimes compromise team morale without realizing it. The art of team management involves balancing professional competence with genuine interpersonal connection.

We consulted with 10 experienced industry professionals who shared the common pitfalls that can zap a team’s spirit as well as practical tips to help you avoid missteps and lead a motivated, high-performing group.

A Crash Course in Conducting Layoff Communications

HR Brew | Mikaela Cohen | January 22, 2025

Layoffs should be a collaborative effort between the company’s CEO, and the HR, legal, and communications teams, says Teal Pennebaker, a founding partner at Shallot Communications.

Discover the true cost of employee turnover with Express Pro’s turnover calculator. Identify the costs of separation, replacement, and productivity loss to understand the full picture of turnover.

What’s worse than being laid off? Maybe being laid off with an image of a duck?

Payments company Stripe recently announced a 300-person workforce reduction, Business Insider reported.

MEC is a great conference. I have referred you to a lot of my HR friends and colleagues.

Overall, the conference was great! I love that you offer a variety of topics ranging from employment law to self-care.

Thank you, ladies. I appreciate all the hard work that goes into this event. You nailed it once again.

Keep up the with the great conference!

You guys did an amazing job putting this conference together. I thought it ran very smoothly.

Feedback from Spring 2024 MEC Attendees

I really enjoyed this year’s conference. The weather was great until the very end, the lunches were good. I really like this conference because it is small enough that you get to know people and can have real conversations. The session topics and speakers were great this year! Everything was very relevant to our current environment and what is important to both employers and employees alike. This conference is always so organized and well put together. Hope to see you next year!!  - 2024 MEC Attendee Jennifer Knigge 

5 Warning Signs It’s Time to Make a Change to Your Executive Team

FastCompany | Nathan Christensen | February 14, 2025

Unfortunately, just because a leader excelled previously, doesn’t mean they’re still the right fit. Here’s what CEOs should look out for.

I once hired an executive—we’ll call her Alice—who elevated our company overnight. She helped shape our strategy, built a great team, and brought instant credibility to our brand. Our growth accelerated. The board respected her. The team loved her. I felt lucky to have her.

Empowering People in The Age Of AI: 3 Essential Skills For 2025

HR Executive | Yolanda Seals-Coffield | February 19, 2025

In 2024, the widespread adoption of generative artificial intelligence was nearly impossible to ignore. From boardrooms to team brainstorms to industry conferences, the message was clear: AI is reshaping the future of work.

As we settle into 2025, nearly every conversation I’ve had with my team, our clients and our people has explored what comes next and what skills we’ll need to succeed.

IT Leaders Turn to Upskilling to Close Looming Skills Gap

HR Dive | Roberto Torres | February 11, 2025

Artificial intelligence, data and cloud rank highest among in-demand skills, according to Revature data.

More than three-quarters of businesses have struggled to meet their IT talent needs, pushing most to upskill their current staffers, according to a Revature survey of 230 IT and HR decision-makers published last week.

More than 4 in 5 decision-makers are concerned about finding technology talent this year, according to the report. Just over half of leaders plan to deploy upskilling and reskilling initiatives in their organizations.

Leaders: Sometimes Your Best Move Is Calling A ‘Time-Out’ 

FastCompany | Chris O'Neill | February 18, 2025

‘Move fast and break things’ is overly glorified. Here’s when you should take a strategic pause, says this CEO.

In sports, time-outs are a strategic weapon. Super Bowl teams don’t just go full speed from kickoff until the clock runs out; they pause at the right moments to regroup, recalibrate, and regain momentum. In business, the same principle applies. High-performing teams know when to stop, reassess, and make adjustments before forging ahead.

Stop Being Nice, Start Being Kind: Why Real Connection at Work Matters

HR Executive | Maria O'Keeffe | February 5, 2025

Guest viewpoints

It’s performance review season again at my company, which always gets me thinking about the broader topic of human connection in the workplace. Throughout my 25 years of leading teams, we’ve navigated some pretty significant shifts in workplace culture - everything from a global pandemic to evolving generational dynamics and the transformative impact of AI. These experiences have shown me just how crucial it is to communicate and engage with people in a truly human-centric way.

Training Requirements and Resources

OSHA provides information on employers' training requirements and offers resources such as free publications, videos, and other assistance to help employers protect workers against injuries and illnesses.

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OSHA provides safety and health resources specifically designed for small businesses. Find information on complying with OSHA standards and receive advice you can trust through OSHA's no-cost and confidential On-Site Consultation Program.

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By 2033, 1 in 8 New Jobs Will Be in This Sector

Department of Labor Blog | Stanislava Ilic-Godfrey | November 12, 2024

Many of the activities Americans love — like eating out, traveling and recreation — depend on a large workforce. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show that the leisure and hospitality sector is growing, adding many new jobs to support these activities! 

BLS projects the U.S. economy to add 6.7 million jobs from 2023 to 2033. Of that, about 1 in 8 will be added in the leisure and hospitality sector — that’s 822,700 new jobs. This is the third largest projected employment increase of all 17 major sectors after professional business services and healthcare and social assistance.

As of 2023, leisure and hospitality recovered all jobs lost in 2020 during the pandemic. Employment is projected to grow from 16.6 million today to 17.4 million jobs by 2033. Within this sector, there are three main industries: accommodation; food service and drinking places; and arts, entertainment, and recreation.

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Employer Resources

When you hire a new employee, you must verify their identity and employment eligibility using Form I-9. You may be among the nearly 3 million proactive worksites that also use E-Verify to electronically verify Form I-9 information. The checklists, videos, and other English resources on this page will help you understand your responsibilities and make the hiring process easy.

Check out the resources customized for employers like you.

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Laws Enforced by EEOC

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Employers

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforces Federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. These laws protect employees and job applicants against employment discrimination when it involves:

• Unfair treatment because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
• Harassment by managers, co-workers, or others in the workplace, because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
• Denial of a reasonable workplace accommodation that the employee needs because of religious beliefs, disability, or pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.
•  Retaliation because the employee complained about job discrimination or assisted with a job discrimination investigation or lawsuit. 

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Thank you for hosting us, MEC. Making connections, both professional and furry, has been the highlight of our day.

Spring 2024 MEC Sponsor UMSL Graduate Business Programs

CLICK HERE FOR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES! 

Grow with the Conference & Benefit from the Marketing Enhancements

PRESENTING SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

We can't wait to show you what we have in store for the 2025 conference!!

SAVE THE DATES 4/30 + 5/1!

I really enjoyed this conference and hope to be able to attend in the future. Thank you for your hard work and dedication :) I was very impressed.

I appreciate the friendly environment. This conference was well organized.

Love this conference! Sue & Nan do such a great job organizing this event!

Definitely would recommend.

Feedback from Spring 2024 MEC Attendees

Thanks to Nan Boland and Sue Kmet and the teams putting on the Iowa and Missouri Employment Conferences! - Barb Ranck

Enjoyed my time! They do a phenomenal job! Just finished with a cruise of the lake on top of fun and great experience!! - Reggie Harris

Had a great time at the Missouri Employment Conference this week presenting on behalf of Cottingham & Butler on ways to measure, prioritize, and strategize on your employees’ wants. I took it as a positive sign to have Dubuque coffee served at the event. I’m so grateful for the time I spent in HR where I was able to implement various solution to drive retention and optimize health plan performance, and love sharing some of the great experiences! - Julie Oeth

Spring 2024 MEC Speakers

Had a blast sharing the infinite ROI of leading with care with 200+ HR professionals at the Missouri Employment Conference! I always feel humbled and lucky every opportunity I have to share my message on the new rules of care. Thank you Nan Boland and Sue Kmet for inviting me to join this wonderful event! - Danny Goldberg

Another successful presentation on workplace anxiety and stress. Today’s breakout room was packed with HR representatives who are all too familiar with organizational stress. Thank you Missouri Employment Conference for inviting me back to speak. - Kelli Risse

Spring 2024 MEC Speakers

Michelle, Lisa, Nan, Sarah & Sue

MIND MATTERS

Resources for Mental Health Support

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org/chat for free and confidential support from trained crisis counselors 24/7. 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's free help line: Call 800-662-4357 for 24/7 mental health support in English or Spanish. 

David Woods Bartley has seen his fair share of successes and setbacks, from directing a nationally recognized nonprofit to battling the long-term effects of childhood sexual trauma and a life-threatening mental illness. The latter, a brutal knock-down, drag-out fight with clinical depression, led David to a suicide attempt.

Thanks to the support of many people and being shown the necessity of putting one’s self-care on a pedestal, David continues the essential yet challenging journey from the isolation of mental “hellness” to the inclusive space of mental wellness. His life having been saved, David is committed to moving the conversation about suicide, male sexual trauma, and mental illness from the dark shadows where they now live to the forefront of public concern.

In doing so, his mission is to shine a bright light on the crisis we now face and open doors to the possibility of mental health for everyone, everywhere.

David was recently featured in a really great TV interview about one of the therapies that has changed and saved his life!

STRONG MINDS | STRONG HEARTS

SERVANT LEADERSHIP

By definition, Servant Leadership is a leadership philosophy in which the goal of the leader is to serve. If you are in a place where your talent and skills will help others, by all means, use them. We are proud of the work our leaders have done and hope that if you are in a place to serve, you choose to step up.

Join the fight against human trafficking.

Together, we can raise awareness, educate and work towards bringing an end to human trafficking.

What is Human Trafficking?

Find out here!

57 Fun Spring Craft Ideas to Nourish Creativity in 2025

Class pop! | Abigail Ford | December 19, 2024

These spring craft ideas for adults and kids let everyone express their creativity. Wondering how to make spring season craft? This guide will make craft time simple, with 57 easy spring crafts for adults and kiddos alike.



These ideas make excellent Easter craft ideas or just fun seasonal crafts to make. Read on and discover fun options for the whole family. 

1. Pressed Flower Suncatcher

Create a suncatcher using contact paper, pressed flowers and a frame. Place the flowers on the sticky side of the contact paper and seal with another layer. Hang in a sunny window for a colorful, nature-inspired decoration that promotes creativity and fine motor skills.

2. Raindrop Suncatchers

Cut raindrop shapes from clear plastic sheets, color them with markers and hang them near windows. This spring craft idea allows kids to mimic the beauty of spring rain while exploring patterns and color combinations, fostering their artistic development.

Recipe of the Day: What to Cook in April

Food Network | April 2025

Get the best Food Network recipes every day of the week with our daily dish picks, starting with Rachael Ray’s nachos.

Rachael tops her Mexican-style meal with traditional nacho fixings, including homemade pico de gallo salsa, made with ripe tomatoes, a jalapeno and fragrant cilantro.

HELP AN HR HERO WIN A $50 VISA GIFT CARD!

Do you know someone in your HR department (or company-wide) who deserves to be recognized for making a positive impact in your company from day to day??

Whether personal or professional, in a big or a small way, we all know those people who go above & beyond for the greater good.

We want to help these everyday (H)eroes be (R)ecognized! Send your nominations to us & one deserving person each month leading up to the current conference will be selected to receive a $50 VISA gift card! We will announce the winner in the following month's newsletters.

The Missouri Employment Conference is just around the corner, taking place April 30th & May 1st! Our team has been working tirelessly, pulling together all hands on deck to ensure everything runs smoothly. We're excited to present a fantastic lineup of speakers who are experts in their fields, as well as highlight our amazing sponsors whose support makes this event possible.



With their help, we’re confident this will be the best conference in Missouri! We can't wait to see you there!

Nan, Sue & the team at Missouri Employment Conference