Let’s start off on the right foot

“Do not edit your desires.” – Stacey Abrams 

The skinny

To make a hybrid workforce model work, try focusing on process and people.

♦

The two Ps?

You got it. A strong, repeatable process brings in the best people. Just like the delicious predictability of microwave popcorn, you too must follow the directions on the package for best results. 

Like, using the popcorn setting?

Basically. We’ve all been there­­–we want to get our snack on stat and so instead of repeating a predictable list of instructions, we click the highest power on the microwave to speed up the pop process. Then, come back to find a burnt kernel #fail.

That disappointment is real.

So real. Speeding up hiring and not having a repeatable process can lead to unexpected fails down the road when it comes to hiring the right people for your organization.

What else?

Leveraging assessment tools to help understand candidates’ personality traits and strengths can help predict if they will pop, burn or stay annoyingly un-popped at your organization (yup, we’re sticking with this metaphor). 

Do you mean professional Horoscopes?

Ox no. We mean something like these. Don’t assume that building a team of all one type of personality is going to be your hack to glory. Building a team of different individuals who have strengths that play off each other can be very lucrative to your productivity, innovation and overall success.

Interesting.

Indeed. Which brings us back to popcorn. JK, we’re moving on to people. Focusing on building an intentional culture can create an identity and common organizational experience for your people.

Doubtful.

Intentional culture is what all the cool kids are doing! Culture creates accountability for our work and each other. When employees are connected, collaboration comes as naturally as butter, popcorn and binging.

Ok fine, like the cool kids, I’m here for it.

We’re not kitten about this. Another pro tip to focus on is specific communication cadences with leadership. These consistent communications (like a weekly team check in or monthly CEO roundtable) can reinforce engagement and culture in teams.

Date with data: 83% of organizations foresee providing more flexibility moving forward. 

Totes quotes: “For HR professionals it’s been a long year, but there is a silver lining to the challenges we’ve faced. This is a once-in-a-career opportunity to help reimagine and re-engineer how and where work gets done. Leveraging what other employers have done successfully can help.” – Marcy Klipfel, Chief Engagement Officer, Forbes HR Council.

The skinny

Since the start of the pandemic, working parents have lost a cumulative 720 hours of work productivity per week.

♦

Feels like more…

Sure, there have been many cycles of h-e-double hockey sticks during this pandemic. But working parents have been hit with Dante-level infernos when it comes to balancing child care, work and home responsibilities.

Juggling sucks.

Hear you. With schools and daycares closed, finding reliable and consistent childcare has been an ongoing challenge. And y’all already know about women dropping out of the workforce in droves because of this issue. Employers (and the GDP for that matter) have a major bag of steaming **poo emoji** sitting on their doorstep.

At least it’s not flaming…

Sure, but the bright side remains pretty dim as the childcare crisis has been around for decades. However, there are some organizations like Microsoft, PwC, Maven and Cleo that have expanded their childcare benefits and other benefits that would help alleviate this issue.

Like what?

Like, more time off, childcare reimbursements, tutoring sessions and more flexibility to name a few. And despite the pain and struggle, there are some new services popping up like Flexable, which provides on-demand, virtual child care.

Totes quotes: “The average working parent is losing three hours per day in productivity. It’s terrible because you feel guilty that you’re failing at everything. We’re on a mission to say, if we can even give one of those hours back, what type of effect can we have, not only to the bottom line of an organization, but to the well-being of that parent.” – Priya Amin, Founder of Flexable

Date with data: Only 21% of working parents had consistent child care, and 34% of working parents had no child care at all according to recent study.

Feeling check-up: Is this you?

The skinny

Setting boundaries with family and friends is a necessary component to mental health.

♦

HA.

I know what you’re probably thinking, “Boundaries?! Those are more slippery than the Smithsonian Zoo.” And you’re right, setting and following through with healthy boundaries is really tricky. However, maintaining them is a way of taking care of your closest relationships.

Go on.

First of all, ask yourself, “what do I need?” Prioritizing your own needs and wants is an important step to inform the boundaries you create and trust yourself to know you best.

Who me?

Yes. You. Another good trick is to write down your boundary circle. Draw a circle on a page and inside the circle write down the things you need in order to be seen, supported and heard. Leave anything that distracts from that outside the circle.

Drawing circle now.

Excellent. But before you draw your lines in permanent ink, remember that boundaries (just like you) can shift. People change, situations change, and unlike Groundhog Day, we have the ability to break an unhealthy cycle by establishing the right boundaries. Don’t forget, work is also a great place for setting up some boundaries!

Include this in your boundary circle: Why you feel so guilty when you’re not working.

Now a break from the news… NFL – Bad Lip Reading

Compliance Corner DOL proposes delay of Trump admin’s independent contractor rule.

Here’s something to…

• Watch: 17 movies about Black history.
• Read: Employee mental health at an all-time low.
• Munch: 80+ super bowl apps.
• Clean: Tiny chores.
• Listen to: Best parenting podcasts.
• Remember: Whitney Houston’s Star Spangled Banner.
• Try: How to cook without a recipe.

Benefits Pulse at a glance

COBRA is trending up this week.