June 2022 | 24th EDITION NEWSLETTER
WHAT'S NEW(S)?
Finding Strength in Diversity
HR Magazine | Tamara Lytle | March 9, 2022

Building a diverse workforce helps companies stay competitive. When Yolanda Evans worked for a company with facilities in rural Ohio, she initially found it difficult to locate and recruit people of color. But then she got involved in the local Boys & Girls Club. As she helped the club’s kids apply for summer jobs, she found out about local technical schools she hadn’t heard of. By searching for those schools online, she discovered the types of certificates they offered and was able to recruit candidates who held those certificates.
Breaking The ‘Bamboo Ceiling': Capital One Executive Shares His Insights
HR Brew | Susanna Vogel | May 20, 2022
 
SVP Dave Kang says the path forward for Asian Americans requires “a mindset shift.” In the first decade of Dave Kang’s career, he lived in Atlanta, Singapore, and Dallas, yet despite changing locations, he never seemed to land in an office where he felt like he belonged. Kang told HR Brew that his feelings changed when he joined Capital One and found senior leadership that looked like him.
Airbnb: Offices Are Over. Apple: Come Here and Hold My Beer.
HR Brew | Sam Blum | May 12, 2022
 
The new pandemic workplace policies outlined by each company will be worth watching. In the modern workplace odyssey that is Return to Office, there are two prominent ships in Silicon Valley charting very different courses: One is sailing toward tradition; the other is sailing into a new, hybrid sunset. The good ship Apple announced that all employees at its corporate headquarters in Cupertino, California, must report to their desks “three fixed days” a week, while the pirate schooner Airbnb instituted a “live and work anywhere” policy, according to a letter CEO Brian Chesky sent to employees last month.
As A Mental Health Crisis Grips American Kids, Employers Look for Ways to Help Parents.
HR Brew | Susanna Vogel | May 16, 2022
 
Some employers are beginning to offer tools for parents and caregivers to help them help their struggling kids. Since the onset of the pandemic, child suicides and suicide attempts have spiked, including among kids as young as 10 years old. The troubles are even more dire for teenage girls, who, during 2021, attempted suicide ~50% more frequently than they did in 2019. In March, the CDC’s Debra Houry called data on teen mental health a “cry for help.” Some employers, seeing the toll children’s mental health can take on working parents, are taking action by adding well-being benefits—not just for the people on payroll, but also for their children—to their total rewards packages. 
Why More Businesses Are Considering Ending The 40-Hour Work Week
Fast Company | Stephanie Vozza | May 31. 2022
 
With the shift in working arrangements during the pandemic, businesses are taking a closer look at their schedules. Ever wonder why we work eight hours a day, five days a week? Or why we clock in from 9 to 5? It started with the shift from agriculture to manufacturing during the industrial revolution. Originally, factory workers clocked in long hours six days a week. A 70-hour workweek wasn’t uncommon. In the 1920s, Henry Ford implemented an eight-hour workday with three shifts to run his factories around the clock. Then, during the Great Depression, government used a 40-hour workweek as a tool for addressing unemployment. It stuck and has been standard practice for more than 80 years. It’s relevance in today’s workplace, however, is being questioned. “The 40-hour workweek was based on one person—male—performing labor for pay that he brings home to his family,” says Stephanie Bolster McCannon, organizational psychologist and wellness coach. 
Being an Employer of Choice
HR Today | Zee Johnson | May 26, 2022
 
When life sciences organizations combine the latest technology with a strong EVP, they are setting themselves up to become a company that candidates want to work for. The life sciences industry is undergoing a digital transformation. Though the process has been underway since before the pandemic, like many sectors, the past two years have caused leaders to put the pedal to floor with technological upgrades. Shifts are happening quickly, but life sciences organizations aren’t quite where they’d like to be in their advancement goals. However, one aspect driving the transformation is the desire for a top-of-the-line, first-class experience. 
4 Ways to Find the Best Candidates on LinkedIn
 
HR Today | Manatal | May 24, 2022
 
2022 sees the ongoing challenge of candidate shortages across industries and rising competition for talent. It is becoming harder to find qualified and skilled candidates as new roles become available. In the interest of staying ahead of the competition, it’s more important than ever for recruitment agencies to exercise best practices in the search to source new talent. A multi-faceted and active approach to recruitment should include the use of the professional network, LinkedIn. 
The 5 Biggest Compensation Strategy Challenges for HR Leaders
 HR Today | Nicole Klemp | May 2022
 
With today’s competitive talent market compounded by economic factors like high inflation, people leaders face tremendous pressure to create a competitive compensation strategy. Most employees want more from work than just a paycheck — they want community, purpose, career growth, and professional development. They also want fairness and equity, both in the way they’re treated and how they’re compensated. 
What’s Your Listening Style?
 
Harvard Business Review | Rebecca D Minehart, Benjamin B. Symon, Laura K. Rock | May 31, 2022
 
A good manager knows that listening is important, but too few people know how to listen well. Even common techniques, like “active listening” can be counterproductive. After all, merely sharing the amount of speaking time, or parroting back what a speaker said, does not achieve understanding.
Consider three common conversations:
Employee: “I’m worried about my presentation for the board meeting.”
Office Politics Don’t Have to Be Toxic
Harvard Business Review | Madeleine Wyatt, Elena Doldor | May 30, 2022

There’s no escaping office politics. It might get a bad rap, but the ability to network, build relationships, and influence others is critical in any workplace. Unfortunately, research has shown that all too often, office politics is a white man’s game, as women and ethnic minorities often have less powerful networks and benefit less from engaging in politics than their white, male counterparts do. 
Five Easy Ways to Lose Your Best Talent
The Center for Association Leadership |AssociationsNow.com | By Michael Hickey May 17, 2022
 
Why are professionals leaving jobs? Low pay, limited career growth opportunities, and lack of flexibility, to name a few reasons. Make sure your top performers aren’t the next to leave by avoiding these common pitfalls. It’s a hot job market now, making it easy for your strongest people to jump ship. 
We Asked, You Answered: How Do You Work Efficiently in the Hybrid Office Environment?
The Center for Association Leadership Associationsnow.com | By Rasheeda Childress Apr 15, 2022
 
With more association professionals working hybrid schedule that has them at home some days and in the office others, many are still figuring out how to do it best. Readers offered advice to help teams feel included no matter where they’re working from.
Inflation Is Taking a Bite Out of Employees’ Salaries — Here’s How Employers Can Help
Employee Benefits News | Deanna Cuadra | May 24, 2022
 
Rodnae Productions from Pexels
After fighting to survive a yearslong pandemic and a national labor shortage, employers and employees have been served up one more helping of hardship on their financial plate: inflation. The Consumer Price Index rose nearly 8% this year — a 40-year high for inflation in the United States. Since inflation measures the increase in the prices of goods and services, this means the cost of living in America has gotten even higher, taking a toll on both employees’ salaries and employers’ budgets as they try to remain competitive in today’s labor market. “The cost of living represents a market basket of goods, housing, food and energy, all of which we pay for on a weekly or monthly basis,” says Lauren Mason, senior principal at Mercer, an asset management firm. “The pay you received for doing your job represents your buying power to buy all that stuff, while inflation represents the rising costs of that basket.” 
 
Update Your Social Media Policy To Engage And Empower Employees, Not Alienate Them
Employee Benefits News | Stephanie Schomer | March 08, 2022
 
In an increasingly connected world — one where remote work is very much the norm — employees are engaging and communicating on digital apps, platforms and social media more than ever before. But what does that mean for the employer/employee relationship? Over the past 15 years, social media has had an outsize impact on the way we work and communicate. And while we’ve all accepted that theTwitters, Facebooks and even TikToks of the world are here to stay, plenty of employers still struggle to understand how social media can be a benefit to their business rather than a threat.
Go Green or Go Home: Employees Want Their 401(K)S To Reflect ESG Goals
Employee Benefits News | Paola Peralta | May 24, 2022
 
Putting away retirement savings has been common practice for employees for decades, but where that investment goes and what it supports has often been a mystery. Today’s employees, however, don’t just want to secure their own future. They want to help save the world.
In 2020, a total of $2.3 trillion was invested in impact funds, which support companies, organizations and funds that aim to generate a measurable and positive social or environmental impact — along with a financial return. ns, personal bios, and more.
Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace
 
Purpose
This guidance is designed to help employers protect workers who are unvaccinated (including people who are not fully vaccinated) or otherwise at-risk (as defined in the text box below), including if they are immunocompromised, and also implement new guidance involving workers who are fully vaccinated but located in areas of substantial or high community transmission.
 
READ MORE
Forms
 
These are the most frequently requested U.S. Department of Labor forms. You can complete some forms online, while you can download and print all others.
 
CLICK HERE
This section provides information for employers and other participants about the verification process, including detailed instructions on handling an employee’s Tentative Nonconfirmation and other related topics.
 
For the latest about E-Verify, check out What's New.
 
 
If you are not already enrolled in E-Verify, explore the program and what it can do for your business, then learn how to enroll.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR IMPORTANT DATES IN JUNE...
 
June 1 - Global Day of Parents
June 5 - World Environment Day
June 8 - World Brain Tumor Day
June 8 - World Ocean Day
June 14 - World Blood Donor Day
June 14 - Flag Day
June 18 - Autistic Pride Day
June 19 - World Father's Day
June 19 - Juneteenth
June 21- International Yoga Day
June 21 - Summer Begins
June 25 - Global Beetles Day
A WORD FROM OUR SPONSORS
But First, Let's Talk About the Cruise...

Attendees & Sponsors had the opportunity to join a beautiful sunset cruise on the evening of Day 1 of the conference! So much fun! Thank you Bukaty Companies!
A special THANK YOU to all of the 2022 Conference Sponsors!

Your support of the conference is integral in continuing the growth, quality & integrity of the continuing education unique to this conference year after year. You are appreciated!
Still thinking about partnering with the Missouri Employment Conference to reach hundreds of attendees?

CONFERENCE ON THE BRAIN
2022 SPRING CONFERENCE WAS A HUGE SUCCESS!

2 DAYS OF LEARNING & HAVING A GREAT TIME NETWORKING WITH LIKE-MINDED PROFESSIONALS & EXTRAORDINARY COMPANIES.
LUCKY CONFERENCE PRIZE WINNERS!

Mandy Keifer, Community Counseling Center, Perryville - $1500 door prize: 1 night stay at Four Seasons, golf for 2 + cart, and a Spa Package!

Ryan Morris, CoxHealth, Springfield - Free registration to the 2023 Spring conference! 
The MEC article library is growing monthly with valuable information relevant to the ever-changing work environment. Check the website frequently for updates. If you have something important for our readers to benefit from, reach out to us to be included in the next newsletter or article library!
Earn Continuing Education Credits!
Sharpen Your Knowledge!
Network With Professionals!
Motivate Your Team!
Meet Vendors!
No need to be certified to attend the conference.
If you have a desire to learn, improve, network or motivate yourself or your team, you will find great value in attending the conference!
STRONG MINDS | STRONG HEARTS
SHARE THE HARVEST FOOD PANTRY NEEDS YOUR HELP!
We are looking for regular/consistent volunteers for our Thrift Store/Sort Room, Food Pantry/Warehouse and Garden. Interested in serving on our Board of Directors? We can use your help, too!

FAMILY FORTUNE
Events
Whatever the season or day of the week, there’s always something new to explore in Missouri.
THE YUM FACTOR
16 Grilling Recipes You’ll Want to Make All Summer Long
 
Cookouts are making a comeback, and these never-fail recipes will guarantee your best get-together yet.
 
 
 
nytimes.com | By Margaux Laskey | April 28, 2021
(H)EROES (R)ECOGNIZED
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 free conference registration + a $50 VISA gift card! We will announce the winner in the following month's newsletters.
NOTES FROM NAN & SUE
Conference 2022 was EPIC! We were so grateful for knowledgeable speakers, generous & valuable sponsors & awesome attendees! The sunset cruise was enjoyed by all & a great addition to the week. We can't wait to unveil the plans for the next conference!
 
We've all been waiting for summer; sunny days, kids & pets chomping at the bit to get outside and run & educators basking in a little peace & quiet. Gardens need tended, the beautiful Missouri landscape begins to come alive & the grills are getting fired up! Summer is always a time to renew our spirits by breathing in the blue skies & fresh air.
 
While it is important to set new goals for yourself & look forward to the weekends & summer holidays, don't forget to take the time to live in the present moment. Take advantage of the lakes & parks around us & feel the blessings of this all-too-short season before fall comes knocking at our doors.
 
ENJOY!
Nan & Sue