June 2026 | 72nd EDITION NEWSLETTER

While the articles selected for this newsletter may not directly represent the opinions of the Missouri Employment Conference, they have been thoughtfully curated to spark interest and engagement among HR professionals. Each piece offers unique insights and perspectives that can enhance your understanding of the dynamic field of human resources. We encourage you to approach these articles with an open mind, as they are designed to inspire dialogue and promote a deeper exploration of the trends shaping our industry today.

Brené Brown’s Big Challenge (and Advice) for Every CHRO

HR Executive | Jill Barth | May 26, 2026

Brené Brown has a challenge for every HR leader who starts their morning scrolling email before getting out of bed.

During a recent fireside chat at BambooHR‘s HR Virtual Summit, Brown suggested opening whatever AI tool you use and building an agent. Tell it your role, your company and your function. Then ask it for a two-page brief every morning covering geopolitics affecting your business and what the market is saying about your organization.



“That tool exists today for all of us,” said Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston and executive chair of the Center for Daring Leadership at BetterUp. “We can literally do it.” Her most recent book, Strong Ground: The Lessons of Daring Leadership, the Tenacity of Paradox, and the Wisdom of the Human Spirit, is out now.

How to Know if Your Solo Business Needs to Evolve, Innovate, or Pivot

Fast Company | Anna Burgess Yang | May 27, 2026

These are the signs.



Ever get the feeling that you need to make a change in your business? Your pipeline has dried up, your prospective clients’ needs have changed, or something just feels “off”?

Companies have entire teams dedicated to strategy and innovation. They hold quarterly planning meetings and build roadmaps when they sense that they need to change direction.

Solopreneurs have to do this work themselves (often in between everything else they need to do to keep their business running). No one taps you on the shoulder and tells you it’s time to evolve your business.  

Research: As Careers Get Longer, Midcareer Work Needs to Change

Harvard Business Review | Lynda Gratton | May 27, 2026

At a recent leadership meeting that I attended as an advisor, the CEO of a large global company paused midway through a discussion on talent. “We have a problem,” he said. “Burnout is becoming a real issue.”

That came as no surprise. But what he went on to tell the group next caught everyone in the room off guard. “It’s not where we expected it,” he said. “It’s not early career employees. And it’s not people at the end of their careers. It’s people in their mid-40s and early 50s.”



The CEO went on to explain that many of those struggling were not average performers. They were among the organization’s most experienced and capable leaders—the very people the company was expecting to move into its most senior roles. 

Rising Burnout and Sinking Confidence: What the Latest Glassdoor Data Reveals

The HR Digest | Jane Harper | May 25, 2026

Workers are feeling the heat right now. According to recent data from Glassdoor, worker burnout has jumped 65% year over year. At the same time, employee confidence has plummeted to a record low.

Workers mentioned burnout 2.5 times more in first quarter 2026 reviews than they did prior to the pandemic. Chris Martin, a senior economist at Glassdoor, notes that burnout occurs when staff deal with a chronic, unmanageable amount of stress. This combination of high stress and low confidence is creating a difficult environment for both staff and management across the country.

The Numbers Behind the Stress



The current data highlights a clear problem in the modern workplace. 

Mentoring Done Right: Quick Tips on How to Be a Good Mentor at Work

The HR Digest | Anuradha Mukherjee | May 27, 2026

Looking for tips on mentoring so you can level up your support skills? One of the best uses of industry knowledge lies in mentoring the future generation of workers on what’s to come, but it can be hard to know exactly how to be a good mentor without any guidance on training.



Not every employee in the workplace is naturally suited to the role of mentor, and yet each one has the ability to contribute something critical to the future careers of junior employees. While some employees lack the communication skills or the confidence in their abilities, they can still develop the qualities of a good mentor and effectively contribute to the onboarding and support of a new hire. Developing mentorship skills isn’t something that can always be comprehensively covered with a checklist, but if you’re eager to don the mentorship role and make a difference beyond your own role, these mentoring tips and best practices should help.

A Better Way to Connect with Missouri Talent

Missouri is preparing to launch Talify Plus this July -- an enhancement to Talify Missouri that will introduce a modern labor exchange designed to help employers connect with job seekers, promote opportunities, and engage with talent across the state.

Built to support both employers and job seekers, Talify Plus delivers an intuitive, user-focused experience for posting jobs, managing opportunities, and sharing the information candidates need to take the next step. The platform is designed to make hiring and job exploration clearer, easier to navigate, and more closely aligned with Missouri’s evolving workforce needs.

For Missouri employers, Talify Plus will:

• Increase visibility for open positions across a robust statewide talent network.
• Simplify recruitment through an intuitive employer experience.
• Improve candidate understanding of roles, qualifications, and locations.
• Strengthen connections among employers, job seekers, and Missouri workforce staff.
• Deliver a consistent labor exchange experience across the state.

Talify Plus is more than a job board. It is a best-in-class workforce platform built to support stronger workforce connections, help employers find the talent they need, and help Missourians discover opportunities for growth and success.

What’s Next?  Additional launch details, training resources, and implementation information will be shared ahead of the July launch. 

In the meantime, click below to be informed of upcoming employer sessions and be among the first to access the platform.

Sabbaticals: Mental Health, Talent and Rest as a Business Strategy

HR Executive | Mike Nemeth | May 27, 2026

Workplace stress has become one of the biggest challenges facing employees and employers today. Whether during Mental Health Awareness Month or the the rest of the year, it’s important that we move beyond simply acknowledging the issue and start looking at practical ways companies can build healthier, more sustainable careers.

According to the American Institute of Stress, 83% of U.S. workers experience work-related stress. For employers, that stress shows up in turnover, absenteeism, disengagement and lost productivity. Many companies have responded with wellness tools like meditation apps, hotlines or the occasional mental health day. 

Should HR Tell Employees Layoffs Are Coming? Workplace Experts Weigh In.

HR Brew | Mikaela Cohen | May 27, 2026

The short answer is, it depends.

Last week, Meta started layoffs affecting roughly 10% of its workforce, or 8,000 employees, CNBC reported.

The cuts are just the latest at the company, which laid off 21,000 workers in 2023 and more than 1,000 between January and March of this year. More are expected in the coming months.

Meta had nearly 78,000 employees as of March 31. It informed them of this latest round of layoffs in late April after the news unexpectedly leaked, Business Insider reported.

MUNICIPALITIES IN MOTION

From Chaos to Coordination: What True Payment Alignment Looks Like for Cities in 2026

Route Fifty | Gene Rohrwasser | May 22, 2026

Staff currently spend hours reconciling payments from disparate systems. Having operational unity helps departments get on the same page.

A new wave of federal infrastructure funding has poured billions into state and local governments, but many cities are still wrestling with an older problem: their payment systems. 



From parking meters and transit fares to building permits and utility bills, revenue streams flow through a patchwork of disconnected vendors, portals and spreadsheets. Finance teams burn hours on manual reconciliations while leaders struggle to see a clear picture of public funds, turning what should be a streamlined back office into a drag on digital progress.

Report: Public Sector Hiring Systems Not Keeping Up with Applicant Interest

PSHRA | May 2026

New research assessing hiring conditions across state and local government finds applicant volume increasing, but internal system performance is holding the public sector back from effective hiring.



Work for America’s recently released From the Frontlines 2026 report sees AI-enabled job search tools and “a historic outflow of federal workers” driving up the number of local government applicants.

However, the research also “illustrates how hiring challenges stem not only from limited candidate supply, but also from government’s ability to process applicants effectively, revealing longstanding efficiencies in hiring systems,” according to Work for America.

The Century-Old GS System is 'Disintegrating' and Government Can't Agree on How to Fix it

Government Executive | May 19, 2026

Though both political parties view the General Schedule as a problem, they have totally different reasons, creating a "compliance culture" that makes reform impossible.

Both Republicans and Democrats see it as a barrier to better government but for totally different reasons. It is central to the “compliance culture” that impedes better government. It still reflects the way work and workers were managed a century ago. It has not been modified, except for separating the Senior Executive Service and adding locality pay, since it was created in 1923.

Infrastructure Week 2026: Takeaways for Local Governments

NLC Blog | Annie Mazzarella and Melissa Williams | May 22, 2026

This May, NLC has been highlighting the role that municipalities play in updating critical infrastructure in our communities. As we close out Infrastructure Week 2026, we’re recapping key updates on federal reauthorization discussions and advocacy efforts that will shape transportation and water priorities in cities nationwide.

Partnership Is Power

NLC was proud to participate in a coalition group with United for Infrastructure to celebrate Infrastructure Week 2026. We know that a stronger America depends on modern, reliable infrastructure, and achieving that goal requires collaboration across sectors. The National League of Cities was pleased to work alongside organizations including the Business Roundtable, TTD, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, American Society of Civil Engineers and National Association of Manufacturers, among others.

Federal transportation reauthorization took center stage at the kickoff event, where congressional and industry leaders discussed the programs and investments needed to support the nation’s transportation system over the next five years. NLC was honored to introduce House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA) who had just released a bipartisan draft transportation bill — the Build America 250 Act — with Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) and to reiterate much how cities, towns and villages support America’s infrastructure.

Purpose and Responsibilities

The Missouri Association of Counties (MAC), formed in 1972, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan member service organization dedicated to the improvement of county government. It was designed and incorporated by county elected officials to provide services, research, uniformity, and coordination among member counties, in order for the county elected officials to best serve their constituents.

MAC’S TRIMESTER MAGAZINE

Missouri County Record

Covering all statewide news and information important to counties and county governance.

The Missouri County Record is a magazine published quarterly by the Missouri Association of Counties, a statewide lobbying group headquartered in Jefferson City, Mo. The publication generally runs 32 pages in length, and it is distributed to more than 1,400 subscribers (including county elected officials who purchase supplies, equipment, and services for Missouri county governments; all state administrative, commission, and department directors; members of the state General Assembly; as well as national affiliate associations.

WORKPLACE WATCH

As an organization with diverse functions, the U.S. Department of Labor carries out its mission through a number of offices and agencies. These are organized into major program areas, and headed by an Assistant Secretary or other official. 

I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification

Use Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States. All U.S. employers must properly complete Form I-9 for every individual they hire for employment in the United States. This includes citizens and aliens. Both employees and employers (or authorized representatives of the employer) must complete the form.

On the form, an employee must attest to their employment authorization. The employee must also present their employer with acceptable documents as evidence of identity and employment authorization. The employer must examine these documents to determine whether they reasonably appear to be genuine and relate to the employee, then record the document information on the employee’s Form I-9. Certain employers who choose to remotely examine the employee’s documentation under a DHS-authorized alternative procedure rather than via physical examination must indicate they did so by checking the box provided. 

Confirm with Confidence

Enroll in E-Verify for fast and efficient employment eligibility verification.

It only takes a few simple steps to enroll in E-Verify and begin confirming the employment eligibility of all of your new hires. 

E‑Verify: Widening Use, Lingering Challenges

American Immigration Council | Micaela McConnell and Leslie Dellon and Victoria Francis and Juan Avilez | April 15, 2026

Electronic employment verification is a central feature of modern immigration compliance in the United States. At the heart of this system is E-Verify, an online federal system that allows employers to confirm whether newly hired employees are authorized to work in the country. E-Verify, which Congress created in 1996, was launched in 1997 as a pilot program to supplement the employment verification framework established under the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) and emerged from concern that unauthorized employment was a primary driver of unlawful immigration.

E-Verify is administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) alongside the Social Security Administration. Although federal law generally makes E-Verify voluntary for private employers, Congress has required its use for certain federal contractors.

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.

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.

Have a minute? Watch this short video to learn about available resources to protect your mental health at work. You can also visit our website for resources on workplace stress and suicide prevention.

We appreciate your commitment to keeping informed about that affect the safety and health of America's workers.

Monthly newsletter featuring compliance assistance, training and other workplace safety and health resources.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person's race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions, transgender status, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Most employers with at least 15 employees are covered by EEOC laws (20 employees in age discrimination cases). Most labor unions and employment agencies are also covered.



The laws apply to all types of work situations, including hiring, firing, promotions, harassment, training, wages, and benefits.

EEOC Resources

Need information about a specific discrimination topic? We've categorized EEOC material for small businesses categorized by topic, so you can find what you need quickly and easily. 

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. 

National Law Review:

Latest business law news and legal analysis...

THANK YOU 2026 SPONSORS!!

First 10 Registrations Unlock This Limited‑Time Savings!

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Bukaty Companies is one of Kansas City’s top-ranked employee benefits and insurance brokerage firms.

Contact Kent Friend 913-777-7535 for more info!

Thank you, Captain Kent and Bukaty, for generously sponsoring the private yacht ride and snacks. Your support truly elevated the experience for everyone.

HR CONSULTING & TRAINING

Shifting rules and new regulations are complicating the human resource world. Our HR Consulting & Training team has the expertise to navigate through the catalog of compliance requirements – FMLA, FLSA, ADA, CAA, and more. We offer a wide array of services to address common challenges today’s HR professionals face.

Strengthen Employee Connections with Stay Interviews

MEC Presenting Sponsor Bukaty Companies | August 6, 2024

Beyond offering employees experience-enhancing perks, like free lunches, casual dress codes and gym memberships, employers should supplement retention and job satisfaction efforts to connect with employees at different times throughout the year. Stay interviews are one simple and cost-effective option that ensures employees feel valued throughout their employment lifecycle.

Much like initial onboarding and exit interviews, stay interviews provide an opportunity for the employer and employee to have an open dialogue throughout their employment lifecycle. Stay interviews occur during an employee's tenure and are an effective communication channel between employees and management. Employees can share and receive feedback on their employee experience. Management can use stay interviews to identify and mediate issues within their employee population that would have otherwise gone undetected. Stay interviews highlight where an organization excels in the eyes of employees and what could be improved upon. 

MEC is THE source for classroom instruction covering topics in the areas of employment, training, benefits & wellness education.

It remains an essential event for those who want to stay up-to-date and compliant with the latest developments in labor and employment law, best practices, healthcare reform, training, wellness, analysis, trends, and more.

Earn CEUs while networking with top industry professionals!

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING SPRING 2026!! WHAT A SUCCESS!!

Missouri Employment Conference

The mission of the Missouri Employment Conference is to deliver an affordable conference that provides the opportunity to develop professionally as well as receive continuing education credits through multiple professional associations such as:

• Human Resource Certification Institute Credits
• Society for Human Resource Management Professional Development Credits
• Continuing Legal Education Credits
• Continuing Professional Education Credits
• Missouri Municipal Finance Officers Association Certification
• American Society of Association Executives CAE Credits

The Missouri Employment Conference is the fastest growing conference of its kind in Missouri, offering multiple informative, interactive and educational sessions delivered by some of the top employment lawyers, payroll professionals, workforce development leaders and many others, from Missouri and surrounding states. It remains an essential event for those who want to stay up-to-date and compliant with the latest developments in labor and employment law, best practices, healthcare reform, how-to’s, wellness, analysis, trends, and more.

This program has been pre-approved for HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, aPHRi™, PHR™, PHRca™, SPHR™, GPHR™, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute™ (HRCI™).

Missouri Employment Conference is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

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. 

GLP-1 Medications: What Employers Should Know

eMED | Dr. Dyan Hes | April 21, 2026

As GLP-1 utilization increases, low adherence and inconsistent treatment management are driving higher employer healthcare costs and variable outcomes.

GLP-1 medications have quickly become one of the most talked-about topics in healthcare, with more than 500,000 providers prescribing these medications in 2025, reflecting rapid expansion across clinical settings, according to the IQVIA analysis reported by Becker’s Hospital Review.

Employees are asking about them in increasing numbers. Physicians are prescribing them more often. Employers are being pulled into the conversation, whether they are ready or not.

To understand why, it helps to start with what these medications actually do.

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.

Are you Struggling with Work-Family Balance? Let Purpose Guide You

Greater Good Magazine | Laura Guzman | May 27, 2026

Focusing on what matters most can help ease the stress of competing work and family demands.

The idea of work-life balance has been around for decades, but today the combination of rising financial pressures, gig-work, cobbling together of part-time jobs, and (for white-collar workers) nonstop digital contact, flexible schedules, and remote work can make it difficult for many of us to ever truly “switch off.”



For some families, long hours are a necessity. But for others, the pressure to keep working can be rooted in a sense of obligation—to be ever more successful, maintain a certain lifestyle, or simply keep up with expectations shaped by a consumeristic and highly individualistic culture. No matter what the motivation, over time, these pressures can accumulate, leaving parents feeling stretched thin, chronically stressed, and out of balance.

The Best New Groceries Hitting the Market This Year, According to a Dietitian Who Just Tried Hundreds

Food Network Shopping Experts | Toby Amidor, M.S., R.D., C.D.N. | March 30, 2026

A registered dietitian sampled hundreds of new foods and drinks at one of the largest food shows. See the products that earned Food Network's "Best in Show" seal of approval at Expo West.

Price and stock could change after publish date, and we may make money off these affiliate links. Learn more.

I recently attended the Natural Food Expo West, the largest natural foods trade show in North America, which takes place annually in Anaheim, California. The show has close to 80,000 guests and over 3,000 booths, with many new product innovations and health trends.

Over the two-and-a-half days when the expo halls are open, it’s impossible to visit all 3,000+ booths, but I certainly covered a lot of ground wearing my comfiest sneakers and toting my reusable bottle of water (hydration is key!). I opt to have a protein-filled breakfast at my hotel and then take small bites throughout the show to avoid a stomachache! The show was filled with all sorts of products — some really good options that can be part of a healthy, balanced diet, but also some overhyped without solid scientific evidence. Sifting through all the claims takes a bit of time, but after sitting back and reflecting on everything I checked out, I opted to showcase my top picks below.

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.

As summer settles in across Missouri, we hope you're finding opportunities to enjoy the season with family, friends, and your communities. Whether you're attending local festivals, spending time outdoors, traveling, or simply enjoying a slower pace, summer offers a welcome reminder to appreciate the people and moments that matter most.

This time of year also highlights the importance of giving back. Communities thrive because of individuals who are willing to volunteer, support local causes, lend a helping hand, and invest in the success of others. We are continually inspired by the HR professionals, municipal leaders, attorneys, supervisors, and public servants who make a difference every day through their commitment to serving others. Your dedication strengthens workplaces, organizations, and communities throughout Missouri.

As we reflect on the success of the Missouri Employment Conference last month, we are filled with gratitude. The energy, engagement, and enthusiasm from attendees, speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors made the event an incredible experience. The meaningful conversations, practical takeaways, and valuable networking opportunities reminded us why this conference continues to be such an important resource for professionals across the region. We are grateful for everyone who contributed to its success.

Looking ahead to Spring 2027, planning is already underway—and we're especially excited because 2027 will mark the 10th anniversary of the Missouri Employment Conference!!

What began as an idea to bring employment law, HR, and workplace professionals together has grown into a thriving community of learning, collaboration, and professional development. As we prepare for this milestone event, we're exploring new ideas, timely topics, and special opportunities to celebrate the people and partnerships that have helped make MEC successful over the past decade.

Thank you for being part of this outstanding community. Your support, participation, and enthusiasm have played an important role in the conference's growth and success. We look forward to celebrating this exciting milestone with you in 2027. Until then, we wish you a summer filled with fun, relaxation, meaningful experiences, and plenty of time spent with the people who matter most.

Nan and Sue