HR Newsletter: Forging Stronger Virtual Connections Among Employees

Employco USA

Virtual Connections

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, remote work was a fringe benefit at many organizations. Now, nearly 40% of employees have transitioned to remote working arrangements. This signals the new workplace reality: Remote work is here to stay.

Unfortunately, that’s not a welcomed change for many people. Namely, some employers are concerned about burnout and dwindling employee connections. Considering that impromptu hallway talks and quick chats after meetings are effectively gone, this sentiment is understandable. With workers virtually isolated, it can seem like entire teams have been broken up into individual silos, no longer operating in tandem.

However, remote work doesn’t need to come at the cost of human connections. With a little effort, employers can help foster virtual connections among their employees. And that’s important, especially given that 43% of workers consider team building and collaboration as critical workplace aspects.

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HR Newsletter: Workplace Virtual Holiday Parties

Employco USA

Virtual Holiday Parties

At the end of the year, workplace holiday celebrations are experiences that many employees look forward to. However, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations are evaluating how to engage employees safely this holiday season. Leaders find themselves tasked with deciding whether they should cancel or postpone celebrations, or offer an amended version that prioritizes safety—with many choosing to offer a virtual holiday party.

Considerations for Employers – Holiday celebrations can positively impact employee engagement, but benefits should be weighed against other factors such as financial costs and concerns over safety. For employers choosing to offer a celebration, an event can be comprised of a variety of activities—with many options that can take place virtually.  These include a:

  • Secret Santa gift exchange
  • Virtual mixer
  • Gingerbread house contest
  • Ugly sweater contest
  • Holiday karaoke
  • Online escape room
  • Trivia contest

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Can Your Employer Punish You for Traveling During the Holidays?

Employco USA

HR expert discusses employers’ rights and responsibilities this holiday season

COVID TravelMany employees were asked to sign waivers promising their employers that they would not travel or attend mass gatherings this Thanksgiving season. As we head into another round of holidays, it is expected that even more employers will ask employees to refrain from traveling or gathering with their families. But do employers have this right, and to what extent can companies enforce these COVID-19 policies?

“Yes, employers have the right to ask employees not to travel, and to even formally discipline if they do so,” says Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA and human resources expert. “For example, we have seen cases in which a worker has posted examples of their risky behavior on social media, such as going to a bar and not wearing a mask, or having a large party with friends indoors. When this is brought to the employer’s attention, they have the right and even the responsibility to discuss this problematic issue with the employee and cut the worker’s hours or take them off the schedule until they are proven virus-free.”

This will be happening a lot as we get deeper in the holiday season, says Wilson, and employers should become well-versed on how to handle employees who boldly refuse to limit their social interactions.

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The PTO Time Bomb That Will Explode by Dec. 31st

Employco USA

HR expert Rob Wilson comments on how employers can avoid ending up with a skeleton crew this holiday season  

Cancelled TravelWith the COVID-19 pandemic, many people were forced to cancel their vacations, weddings, cruises, and other planned leisure activities. As a result, workers across the country have collected many days’ worth (or even weeks’ worth) of paid time off, which will need to be used by year’s end or could be potentially lost forever.

Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA and human resources expert, comments on this breaking topic below:

“The COVID-19 shutdown impeded workflow in many ways, but it also created a situation in which employees could no longer travel or engage in their planned vacations. As a result, we saw many employees simply forgo their time off, and instead work through 2020 without a designated break. But this has now led us to a serious HR quandary: All of these workers who didn’t use their PTO have an impending deadline of December 31st, by which they need to use their paid time off or possibly see it disappear.”

As a result, says Wilson, workplaces could be looking at many empty desks for the next few weeks, as employees shoehorn their PTO onto the holiday season.

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Can Your Employer Require You to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

Employco USA

Human resources expert Rob Wilson weighs in on COVID-19 vaccines and the workplace 

COVID-19 VaccineQantas Airlines made global news this week when their CEO said they would require international travelers to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

“It’s called a digital vaccination passport, and we are expecting many airlines will follow suit and require their passengers to submit proof of their immunization,” says Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA and human resources expert. “Of course, this means that not only will internationally-bound passengers on Qantas Airlines need to be immunized,  but so will their employees.”

This raises one of the most pressing and complicated human resources issues of our time, says Wilson. Can employers require their employees or prospective employees to be vaccinated if they want to retain or attain a position at their company?

“Well, the short answer is yes,” says Wilson. “There is a precedent that has been set which allows for healthcare employers to require their medical staff to be immunized, and the same is true for those who work in the armed forces or in certain federal or state jobs. But, until now, most employers outside of these branches have not issued company-wide requirements for immunizations.”

However, Wilson says, that’s about to change.

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Podcast: The Top 5 Employment Law Changes Expected Under Joe Biden

Employco USA

On this month’s podcast Rob, Scott, and Jason discuss “The Top 5 Employment Law Changes Expected Under Joe Biden,” including: the Affordable Care Act (ACA), employee leaves of absence, labor relations, independent contractors, minimum wage, and more.

Podcast: The Top 5 Employment Law Changes Expected Under Joe Biden

Contact us with any questions you may have, we’re here to help: hr@employco.com

HR Newsletter: Importance of Employee Recognition

Employco USA

Employee Recognition

Employees want not only good pay and benefits, but also opportunities to contribute to their employer, customers and other stakeholders through their work, and feel valued and appreciated for their efforts in the workplace. Unfortunately, 65% of employees reported that it had been over one year since they received any form of recognition for their work, according to a Gallup poll.

To help express appreciation, many employers implement ongoing employee recognition programs. A more promising statistic from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) survey revealed that 80% of organizations have an employee recognition program in place. The goal of employee recognition is to reinforce certain behaviors, practices or activities that result in better performance and positive business results. It comes down to acknowledging and appreciating exemplary performance.

While most would relate rewards and recognition to monetary bonuses or award ceremonies, employee recognition or appreciation doesn’t have to be that expensive or glamorous. Praise can be as simple as a pat on the back or a genuine compliment. Just as informal, a thank-you email or a friendly greeting in the workplace can go a long way with employees too.

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HR Newsletter: Remote Employee Well-Being

Employco USA

Employee Well-being

An employee’s well-being is defined by various factors, both inside and outside of work—including physical, mental, social and financial well-being. Overall well-being is something that employees desire but can be challenging to achieve. Not only can employees who achieve well-being thrive in their personal and professional lives—they offer immense benefits to organizations.

The good news for employers is that the efforts they take to ensure employee well-being can not only help their employees and their bottom line, but are also very attainable. A Harvard Business Review survey found that 95% of employees feel that their organization has at least some control over employee well-being, with 38% reporting that they feel their organization has a high degree of control.

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, many employers find themselves revamping their remote work arrangements. According to a study from PwC, 55% of executives plan to have employees work remotely at least one day a week post-coronavirus. Likewise, the same survey found that 72% of employees would prefer to work from home at least two days a week. While some employees may desire to go back-and-forth between an on-site and remote location, 32% of employees reported that they would prefer to work entirely remotely. That means that, as leaders plan to achieve a high level of employee well-being, remote employees should be accounted for.

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