(ARCHIVE) Where is your employee handbook?

Happy May! Summer is certainly on its way. Let’s start the month off right with some breaking workplace news.

Vacation time? No, thanks.

4 out 10 Canadians admit they don’t utilize vacation time allotted to them. Why?!* Canada holds the status of being the most vacation deprived workforce because their employees on average “receive” the fewest vacation time than any other industrial country. Additionally they take very little of the few vacation days that are rightfully theirs. However, TD Canada Trust, a Canadian bank, conducted research that found Canadians still feel that taking vacations is vitally important:

93% of Canadians feel that vacations are vitally important in maintaining a happy life

92% of Canadians feel that vacations are important to take for reconnecting with family and loved ones

But what are the specific reasons these hard working Canadians pass on vacation time?

Too busy (29

Last minute/unforeseen challenges at work (25

Don’t want to invest in planning a vacation (21%

Simply can’t afford it (2 in 5)

Managing ‘critical’ talent

Mercer, a global consulting organization, recently released the results of their “Critical Talent Practices Survey”. In reviewing the data, a key reality emerged. Lorie Griffith, Mercer’s Talent Practice Principal, found that companies may benefit from utilizing workforce analytics as a resource in managing talent.

"While companies spend a good deal of time and money identifying and rewarding top employees, they put much less effort into formally tracking and communicating the development of talent — areas that can surely make talent strategies more effective." (Lorie Griffith, Critical Talent Practices Survey, 2014)

2 most effective ways they suggest to retain critical talent?

1. Better communication with critical talent

2. Increased transparency regarding the employment status of critical talent

* Additionally noted, 3. Focus on Employee Branding 4. Identify non-cash rewards

Organizations also expressed the following as effective in engaging their critical talent

Providing the ability to make a difference within their job functions (59%)

Providing an opportunity for career progression (other non-cash rewards) = 53%

Providing recognition for achievement & success = 49%

Providing competitive pay = 27%

Other key findings?

49% of organizations notify critical talent of their employment status

34% of organizations tracked the status of their critical talent within their HR systems

75% of organizations engaged a formal process or program to assist in identifying critical talent

30% feel their programs are extremely effective in managing critical talent

64% or organizations believe that managing critical talent in essential to their success

So, . . . . where is your employee handbook?

Can you pull it out right now? Did you get one? Did you actually read it? GuideSpark, an employee communications consulting organization, conducted a survey investigating the perception of the infamous employee handbook amongst Millennials and Employees over 60. Let’s take a look.

50% of Millennials didn't read most of their employee handbook (versus 33% of those over 60)

36% of Millennials don't know where it is anymore (versus 23% of those over 60),

50% of Millennials (versus 20% of those over 60) don’t have a complete understanding of the benefit options available to them at work

Less than 25% of Millennials surveyed claimed to find the employee handbook "very helpful" and

11% of Millennials claim they didn't open the employee handbook at all.

56% of respondents wish their employers would communicate benefits in a way that is easier to understand.

(51%) of respondents agree that while they want to leverage their benefits, their goal is to spend as little time as possible to learn about them.

Social media, mobile, and digital communications channels may, increasingly, prove to challenge their reign of traditional handbooks and brochures.

WBI Spotlight

Have a family member or loved one that has experienced Workplace Bullying? Do you simply want to understand this phenomenon on a greater level? Dr. _______, , has shared a webinar on educating family and friends on the experience of Workplace Bullying. This webinar is designed to assist targets with engaging those around them in achieving a stronger understanding of their experiences.

It is important for HR professionals and employees to understand the impact and dangers of this workplace phenomenon that will inevitably cost employees and employers alike. Enlighten yourself today!

Check in with us each month as we share a new webinar from the WBI.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn4OuGM-NlE

Save the Month!!! Throughout the month of June we’ll be supporting you in celebrating National Employee Wellness Month. Stay tuned!!

Happy ‘Famous Birthdays’ Week to . . . . . . .

Adele, British pop singer, will turn 26

Ann B. Davis, TV actress famous for her role as housekeeper Alice on the Brady Bunch, will turn 88

Chris Brown, R&B music entertainer, will turn 25

And tomorrow . . .,

Chris Pall, Clippers Point Guard, will turn will be 28

George Clooney, Actor & Activist, will turn 52

Willie Mays, former Baseball Player, will turn 82