Returning to work is faltering: Seven steps for productive hybrid working

Three years after the start of the pandemic, the call by CEOs to return to the office is faltering for several reasons. There is no grand “fix” for hybrid working. The ideal solution for each organization will depend on the…

As work reopens, studies show workers prefer remote work, especially women

Studies by Pew Research and the Labor Department show that as work reopens, most employees prefer working from home, especially women. After the pandemic, women lag men in rejoining the labor force, exacerbating our labor shortage. Preference has replaced fear…

Seven solutions to overcome the double tsunami of labor shortages and rocking wages.

The turnover tsunami of 9.3 million US open jobs is now being joined by a new storm: labor wage increases. Total private sector US wages are now up 7.9 percent from February 2020, and the wages for low-wage earners in…

Back by Popular Demand! Managing a Flexible and Remote Workforce. 

Over 4.7 million people now work remotely. Employers reap the rewards of a cost savings of $11k/person. Learn up to date best practices for managing a remote workforce to ramp up productivity, save costs, recruit top talent & maintain accountability.…

Try the No. 1 non-pay benefit that saves you money!

A CEO exclaimed that she could not compete with the higher-than-average pay and benefits of large employers. “What can I do?” she asked. I told her she should offer flexible work arrangements to her employees who did most of their…

How to Avoid IBM’s Woes with Telework

Recent headlines proclaimed that many IBM departments have ditched the company’s long-standing and successful remote work program. Despite the attention those headlines garnered, empirical evidence shows that teleworking is on the upswing with many companies because it improves productivity, and…

Studies Show that Open Offices Negatively Impact Employees and Productivity

Many studies, including ones conducted by the manufacturers that sell office furniture used for open offices, have shown that open floor plans hurt productivity and dampen employee morale. And, contrary to what was first thought, they are not the panacea…

What Does 80% of the U.S. Workforce Want?

A pay raise? A compliment from the boss? The answer may surprise you - 80 to 90% of the workforce wants to be telecommuters.[i] And why not? As telecommuters, workers are typically more productive, have higher morale, save commuting costs,…

Will Perks and Wellness Benefits Alone Enable You to Compete in a Tight Labor Market?

A recent survey from Robert Half shows that while Chief Financial Officers want to expand health and wellness benefits, employees prefer additional vacation days, telecommuting options, and non-traditional work hours[i]. CFOs and employees do agree, however, on the popularity of…