In the latest episode of Transform Your Workplace, host Brandon Laws sits down with Lacey Partipilo, Director of HR and Client Success at Xenium HR, to discuss the recent decline in US employee engagement, now at its lowest in 11 years. Partipilo draws insights from a recent Gallup report and highlights some innovative strategies to re-engage employees. With a focus on building a positive workplace culture, this episode provides valuable guidance for employers striving to navigate the new normal and boost employee engagement.

TAKEAWAYS

• By early 2024, employee engagement in the US had reached its lowest level in 11 years, with only 30% of workers feeling highly engaged.

• The lingering impacts of the pandemic continue to disrupt employee sentiment and stability in the workplace.

• Economic uncertainty significantly affects employee engagement, causing increased anxiety and lower commitment levels.

• Many organizations struggle to effectively manage a hybrid or fully remote workforce, leading to decreased engagement.

• Employees, particularly younger ones, desire to see the impact of their work on the organization and broader community.

• High-engagement organizations prioritize regular surveys and actionable feedback.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In his own words: “The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.

Join us for a never-before-discussed topic on our podcast: safety at work. Our two guests, Deb Bridges, a health and safety consultant at Safety Northwest, and Xenium’s own Emily Etherington, an HR business partner, share insights on how to combat safety concerns while fostering a culture of safety. Deb explains the importance of regular risk assessments and proper training, while Emily emphasizes the role of clear communication and supportive policies. Together, they provide practical strategies for creating a safer workplace and discuss the critical partnership between HR and safety professionals in achieving this goal.

TAKEAWAYS

• The significance of going beyond compliance in safety programs.

• Understanding the financial and personal implications of safety incidents.

• The importance of top-down buy-in and team effort in prioritizing safety.

• Effective communication about safety laws and regulations with employees.

• The necessity of having a well-developed, practiced emergency response plan.

• Making safety work meaningful and rewarding to ensure effective execution.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In his own words: “The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.

If you want to see lasting culture change, you’ve got to fall in love with the process, not the goal. In the latest episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, leadership and culture expert James Ferguson discusses his new role as Director of Culture for the Wurzak Hotel Group. He shares his insights on shaping organizational culture with increased engagement, focus on mission, and employee recognition. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to enhance workplace culture and foster a sense of belonging among team members.

TAKEAWAYS

• Lasting cultural change requires embracing the improvement process rather than just aiming for the end goal.

• Effective internal communication helps team members understand the company’s mission, which is crucial for cultural cohesion.

• Orientation “done right” creates context, connection, and culture, which can significantly reduce turnover and unify the team.

• Wurzak’s recognition initiative celebrates employees daily and weekly for living out the company's brand pillars, reinforcing the value of their contributions.

• “Culture Committees” give employees a voice, building trust and encouraging participation in the company’s cultural development efforts.

Sign up for Xenium’s annual What People Want from Work survey before August 16th - https://xeniumhr.com/what-people-want-from-work/

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In his own words: “The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.

Listen in on a thought-provoking episode of Transform Your Workplace, where host Brandon Laws sits down with linguistic anthropologist Dr. Suzanne Wertheim to discuss insights from her book, The Inclusive Language Field Guide. To foster respectful communication, she teaches us that context is key and offers guiding principles rather than rigid lists. Dr. Wertheim's insights give listeners practical tools to avoid painful mistakes and engage in meaningful conversations. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to communicate more effectively in our ever-changing world.

TAKEAWAYS

• Language is constantly changing, and it's important to stay updated to communicate effectively and respectfully.

• Instead of relying on fixed lists of acceptable and unacceptable words, it's crucial to understand the context in which language is used, as meanings and appropriateness can change.

• Dr. Wertheim offers six principles of inclusive language that act as guardrails to help ensure respectful and meaningful communication.

• By following the principles of inclusive language, we can all avoid unintentional harm and engage in conversations that are safe and respectful.

• Those who want to change should commit to continuous learning and adaptability because making small, consistent efforts can lead to significant improvements in communication.

Sign up for Xenium’s annual What People Want from Work survey before August 31st - https://xeniumhr.com/what-people-want-from-work/

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In his own words: “The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.

It’s time to talk money with host Brandon Laws and Nicole Blevins of Xenium HR. Generative AI is revolutionizing the salary discussion, arming employees with the knowledge and confidence to negotiate better compensation. But are leaders ready for such transparency? Tune in for fresh insight into how employers can approach the compensation conversation with honest data and open communication in this new era of salary transparency.

TAKEAWAYS

• Employees are leveraging tools like ChatGPT to access salary ranges, providing them significant leverage in salary negotiations.

• The shift in power dynamics from employers to employees is driven by the accessibility of salary information through platforms like Glassdoor and LinkedIn, combined with AI data analysis.

• Employers must adapt to this new landscape by being well-informed and transparent about compensation, using validated and verified data to support their pay structures.

• Clear and specific job descriptions are crucial, as they help align compensation with actual job duties and competencies, tailored to the organization’s size, revenue, and geographical location.

• Employers need to educate employees on the factors that influence compensation, addressing misconceptions and ensuring that comparisons are made on a like-for-like basis.

• Open and transparent communication about compensation strategies is essential in building trust and clarity.

• Employers should be prepared for tough conversations and support employees’ aspirations, even if it means acknowledging higher-paying opportunities elsewhere.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In his own words: “The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.

Nicole Blevins and Brandon Laws share tips to boost summer employee engagement. Suggestions include flexible schedules, outdoor team activities, wellness challenges like walking competitions, and providing spaces to work outdoors. They emphasize getting employee input on desired summer perks to create work-life balance.

TAKEAWAYS

• Offer flexible work options like half-day Fridays, compressed workweeks, or remote days
• Plan outdoor team-building activities like picnics, sporting events, or walking challenges
• Create outdoor working spaces and encourage wellness by allowing employees to work outside

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In his own words: “The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.

Sit down with host Brandon Laws and guest Dr. Gregory Chasson for a never-discussed topic on our podcast: perfectionism in the workplace. Drawing insights from his recent book, Flawed, Dr. Chasson paints a picture of how the relentless pursuit of perfection can spiral into a toxic force within corporate culture. Tune in to learn how leaders can combat this “perfection obsession” with empathy, understanding, and flexibility.

TAKEAWAYS

• Perfectionism becomes problematic when it involves excessive, inflexible demands that go beyond what's considered normal or healthy.

• Procrastination is often a manifestation of perfectionism because people engage in safety behaviors such as excessive checking, reassurance-seeking, or extensive research to avoid failure.

• Perfectionism undermines workplace efficiency and productivity because it leads to decision paralysis, a toxic work environment, and other-oriented perfectionism, where employees impose unrealistic standards on their colleagues.

• Organizational practices like public praise or leaderboards can unwittingly perpetuate a culture of perfectionism, often demoralizing those struggling to meet the high standards.

• Perfectionists often overemphasize rules at the expense of underlying values, leading to policing behaviors that can be detrimental to workplace harmony.

• “Should” statements create unattainable universal expectations, leading to overwhelming pressure and feelings of inadequacy.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In his own words: “The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Ella Washington, Founder and CEO of Ellavate Solutions and author of Unspoken: A Guide to Cracking the Hidden Corporate Code. This always-relevant conversation addresses the importance of finding fulfillment in our work. Drawing from her personal experiences and extensive career, Dr. Washington reminds us that "work shouldn't suck" and shares insights from her book. It’s time to own your story, leverage your strengths, manage your weaknesses, and find your niche in the workplace.

TAKEAWAYS

• More than a third of our lives are spent working, which means that organizations must prioritize creating work environments where their people can thrive.

• Understanding and embracing your personal identity and experiences is crucial for showing up authentically at work.

• Identifying activities that bring joy and align with your strengths can lead to greater career satisfaction.

• It's important to manage your weaknesses through structures or partnerships so that they don't hinder your success.

• Being aware of and informed about code-switching allows employees to make conscious choices about their authenticity in the workplace.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In his own words: “The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.