Going to the Dogs? ALMOST 3 QUARTERS OF U.S. HOUSEHOLDS OWN A PET   Surveys show that approximately 94 million U.S. households own a pet, which is about 71% of all households, according to the 2024-2025 American Pet Products Association (APPA). This number has been gradually rising, with dog ownership at around 68 million households, followed by cat ownership at 49 million households.   According to the Pew Research Center, 50% of U.S. pet owners say their pets are as much a part of their family as a human member.   RTO MANDATES AND PET OWNERSHIP   According to a recent Inc. article, written by Bruce Crumley, nearly half...

The Essential Economy College Vs. Trades   The mantra that “college is the road to success” has been the clarion call for high school students for so long that it would seem to be a sacred text. The reasons touted include increased potential earnings, higher chances of employment, expanded opportunities, practical life skills, building relationships, achieving personal goals, and making a positive impact in the world.   These reasons were all mentioned in a recent article by Southern New Hampshire University. Of course, given that the article was released by a university, it may be slightly skewed in favor of higher education.   In a blog published...

Is AI Really Helping Your Employees? A recent article in the Harvard Business Review (HBR) had this to saw about the usefulness of AI in the workplace.   "A confusing contradiction is unfolding in companies embracing generative AI tools: while workers are largely following mandates to embrace the technology, few are seeing it create real value. Consider, for instance, that the number of companies with fully AI-led processes nearly doubled last year, while AI use has likewise doubled at work since 2023. Yet a recent report from the MIT Media Lab found that 95% of organizations see no measurable return on their investment...

Today's Number 1 HR Priority HR Challenges   Economic uncertainties, changing technologies, evolving business needs, and talent shortages all combine to give even the seasoned HR professional a headache. On again, off again, on again tariffs, deportations, government funding uncertainties add to the confusion.   According to Gartner,the focus of HR professionals in the future will mostly center on: Rethinking the method of leadership development to help fill critical talent gaps. Re-establishing the importance of culture within all levels of the organization for successful activation. Redefining the organization's approach to workforce planning to make progress and drive impact., and Reviewing HR technology strategies to unlock new ways of...

JOB HUGGING IS A THING NOW The Great Resignation   In the wake of COVID, employers were coping with unprecedented turnover rates. As the COVID pandemic was winding down, workers found themselves anxious to spread their wings. Having been locked down, they wanted to break out. And break out they did - as job hopping became the new trend. As late as 2024, a Gallup poll found that 48% of U.S. employees were seeking new roles.   What a difference a year makes.   Economic uncertainties and drastically changing policies have cooled the hoppers down. Writing in Forbes, Bryan Robison says, "...as Labor Day approaches, new research...