😶‍🌫️ 54% of U.S. Employees are 'Quietly Cracking'

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Happy Sunday!

From navigating employee dissatisfaction to the challenge of improving HR interviews, there’s a lot happening, as usual. We’ve also got some thoughts on how HR can stay ahead with new technologies and recharge ERGs.

Let’s take a look at what’s working—and what needs some attention!

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⬇️ Upcoming in this issue

• 😶‍🌫️ Quiet Cracking: The Silent Crisis Nobody's Talking About

• 🚀 HR's Moment to Tackle AI-Related Tensions

• 🔋 Recharging Employee Resource Groups for Long-Term Impact

• 🚨 HR Interviews Ranked Among the Worst for Jobseekers

📰 Latest in HR News

• DOGE axes gov HR data team covering 2 million federal workers

• Lego removes DEI mentions from latest ESG report

• Trump's pharmaceutical tariffs put employer health plans at risk

• E.l.f. Beauty chief people officer on fairness in employee benefits

😶‍🌫️ Quiet Cracking: The Silent Crisis Nobody's Talking About

More and more employees are reporting a strange mix of feeling secure in their jobs but uncertain about their futures. It’s not burnout, and it’s not quiet quitting. It’s something more subtle, more slippery—what researchers are calling quiet cracking.

It starts with that low hum of dissatisfaction—less recognition, a sense of being undervalued, no clear path forward.

Key Insights

• 📉 54% of U.S. workers are quietly cracking
  Over half feel disengaged or dissatisfied at work, yet many are still flying under the radar.

• 📊 140% more insecurity with no training
  Employees without upskilling in the past year are 140% more likely to feel insecure about their jobs.

• 🧠 29% of employees feel overworked
  Nearly a third report unmanageable workloads, leading to stress, confusion, and declining performance.

• 👂 Manager support isn't enough
  47% of quietly cracking employees feel unheard—but even those who feel supported still report disengagement.

Read the full 527-word article here

🚨 HR Interviews Ranked Among the Worst for Jobseekers

A recent report found that 24% of jobseekers who interviewed for HR positions rated their experience negatively, placing HR second only to the media and communications sector in terms of poor candidate experiences.

Key Insights

• 📉 24% of HR interviews are rated negatively
  Jobseekers report dissatisfaction with HR interviews, with a significant portion citing poor experiences in the interview process.

• 🕰️ The impact of a bad interview experience
  A negative interview can damage an organization's brand, lead to longer hiring times, and discourage top talent from applying.

• ⚙️ Interview preparation matters
  Clear expectations, realistic job previews, and structured processes are essential to improving the overall candidate experience.

• ⏰ Respect candidates' time
  Being punctual, prepared, and communicative with jobseekers is crucial to leaving a positive impression during interviews.

Read the full 726-word article here

🔋 Recharging Employee Resource Groups for Long-Term Impact

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) were once a vital part of workplace culture during the pandemic, but as the world returns to “normal,” many are at risk of losing momentum.

As the fatigue sets in for ERG leaders—who are often employees already juggling multiple responsibilities—organizations must find new ways to reinvigorate and sustain these valuable communities.

Key Insights

• ⚡ Start small, then scale
  Launching or re-launching an ERG should begin with targeted, manageable initiatives before expanding into larger projects.

• 💡 Recognition matters
  Compensation and creative recognition strategies—like public acknowledgment and tapping into internal talent—are crucial to keeping ERG leaders motivated.

• 🌍 Align ERG efforts with organizational goals
  Linking ERG activities to broader company objectives helps demonstrate their tangible impact on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

• 🤝 Cross-collaboration is key
  Co-hosting events or sharing resources across ERGs strengthens their impact and fosters greater community building within the workplace.

Read the full 1,400-word article here

🚀 HR's Moment to Tackle AI-Related Tensions

From rethinking the manager’s role to enhancing onboarding processes and redefining employee value propositions, there’s an urgent call for HR leaders to address these AI-related tensions.

The stakes are high—organizations need to create meaningful connections between business goals and employee well-being, especially as AI becomes a core part of the workforce’s everyday experience.

Key Insights

• 💼 Reimagine the manager’s role in an AI-enhanced world
  Nearly 75% of organizations see the need to reshape managers’ roles, yet only 7% are making substantial progress.

• 🧑‍💻 AI-powered onboarding can close experience gaps
  Strategic onboarding, enhanced by AI, can help new hires integrate quickly and effectively, reducing turnover.

• 🤖 AI is key to improving employee value propositions
  Organizations that help workers thrive with AI are more likely to attract and retain top talent, fostering long-term engagement.

• 🎯 HR’s role in leading organizational transformation
  HR must go on the offensive by embracing AI, breaking down data silos, and driving long-term value, beyond immediate results.

Read the full 859-word article here