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Productivity / Performance

Survey: Less than half of employees achieving ‘optimal’ performance

05/30/2023
Only 41% of employees are currently performing optimally—that is, consistently producing their best work in a way they and HR professionals feel confident is sustainable over the next year—according to a new survey by the Gartner business advisory firm.

Survey: 34% say they’ve called in sick when they weren’t

05/30/2023
The most sick-day-fib-prone state was Missouri, where 45.4% of respondents said they had called in sick when they weren’t.

Distracted Gen Zers? Maybe it’s the moonlighting

05/30/2023
Do your Gen Z employees seem a little more preoccupied and absent-minded than usual these days? The problem might be their other jobs—driving for rideshare companies, selling stuff online, influencing on social media and otherwise engaging in part-time work. According to a recent study by the Deloitte consulting firm, almost half of nearly 15,000 Gen Z workers surveyed hold down a second job or side hustle.

‘That’s not my job!’ How to shut down those slackers

05/17/2023
Some employees resent it when their employer directs them to perform work that appears to fall outside their usual job duties. But contrary to what those employees think, there is nothing illegal about assigning them tasks that aren’t listed in their job descriptions. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals just said so.

Uncover top motivators for employee learning

05/10/2023
Competitive companies know that the ever-changing world requires them to adapt on a regular basis. LinkedIn’s 2023 Workplace Learning Report notes that skill sets for jobs have changed by around 25% since 2015, and this number is expected to double by 2027. Organizations lacking workers dedicated to continuous professional development jeopardize their future.

Case of the Week: Ensure HR reviews, signs off on all PIPs

04/17/2023
When an employee needs to do a better job, supervisors are often the ones charged with creating a performance improvement plan. Since PIPs are often a last-chance option for underperforming employees, it’s common for them to include stringent attendance requirements. But allowing supervisors to set the terms of a PIP without close HR supervision can be a big mistake.  

Understanding what motivates your direct reports

04/07/2023
It’s clear that motivating your direct reports yields many benefits, but how do you know what works for each employee? After all, everyone’s sources of motivation are different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all approach for your team. But there is a list of effective techniques for discovering what motivates your direct reports.

Set your employees up for success with a strong onboarding program

03/29/2023
You’ve spent a ton of time crafting a compelling ad and clear job description, interviewing numerous candidates and analyzing their job fit assessments, and you’ve identified a great candidate. What’s your next move to ensure they turn up on day one and stay for a while? The answer is your onboarding program.

Here comes the summer help!

03/23/2023
How to welcome, prep and manage those seasonal employees.

5 trends shaping the state of remote work

03/20/2023
The sudden shift to remote and hybrid work spurred significant change for employers and employees. But after three years of adjusting, what’s the current state of practice telling workers where and when they can perform their jobs?