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...

“A dollar invested into mental health will yield 5x return, with productivity, higher retention, less absenteeism, and lower error rate.” (Dan Simons, TEDxFoggyBottom) Life is challenging. It seems like every year brings more things to worry about: Economic uncertainty, climate change, social and political divisions, the technological changes of AI. The list goes on.   A significant portion of the workforce experiences mental health challenges. A report from HHS.gov found that 76% of U.S workers reported at least one symptom of a mental health issue, and 84% attributed these challenges to workplace stress. Globally, an estimated 12 billion working days are lost annually...

Security in Unsettling Times Job Growth is Slowing   As reported by Paul Wiseman and Christopher Rugaber, the current administration’s erratic and radical trade policies are having a significant negative impact on hiring.    The U.S. Labor Department had forecast job growth at 115,000 for last month. The actual number was 73,000, a 37% gap. July wasn’t the only month with disappointing results. Combined, May and June payrolls were lowered by 258,000, resulting in a slight rise in unemployment (4.2%), or an increase in the unemployed of 221,000.   Scott Anderson, chief U.S. economist at BMO Capital Markets, said, “A notable deterioration in U.S. labor market conditions...

Who (or What) Are You Talking To? On average, there are around 250 applicants for every job posting. Of course, this varies depending on whether it is an entry-level position, the industry, location, and the skills required.   As reported by Emily McCrary-Ruzz-Esparza in a recent Inc. article, “According to applicant tracking system Greenhouse, the number of applications per role has nearly tripled since 2021, thanks to the ubiquity of AI tools that let job seekers multiply their applications with little effort. Greenhouse’s customers received an average of 222 applications per role in 2024. Gem, another ATS, reports that recruiters manage 56...