What's Keeping HR Up At Night?

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Happy Sunday! 🌞 

Hope you all had a great weekend and are feeling refreshed for the week ahead. In this edition, we’re bringing you key updates from the HR world that you may have missed—including a deep dive into HR burnout and why it’s becoming a growing concern.

Let’s get started!

Upcoming in this issue 📰

• 🧘 Wellbeing at Work: A Century-Old Company’s Blueprint

• 💰 Women & Retirement: Closing the Savings Gap for Good

• 🧑‍💼 Workplace Training Is Booming—But…Without AI

• 💼 HR Burnout Is Real—So Who’s Taking Care of HR?

🧘 Wellbeing at Work: A Century-Old Company’s Blueprint

Watch the full 19-min podcast here

How does a company with over 100 years of history evolve into a modern-day employer of choice?

This podcast from HR Grapevine dives into the strategies Sentry has adopted to prioritize workplace wellbeing, particularly focusing on mental health support for underrepresented groups like men. Here’s their take on how a company can adopt employee wellbeing strategies.

Key Insights

• 💬 Breaking Mental Health Stigma – Many men avoid seeking support due to societal pressures; companies must normalize conversations around workplace wellbeing.

• 🏢 Wellbeing Must Be Inclusive – Tailoring initiatives to different demographics ensures mental health support is effective and reaches those who need it most.

• 📅 Leverage Awareness Days – International Men’s Day and similar events can be strategic opportunities to engage employees in meaningful wellbeing discussions.

• 🛠️ Small Changes, Big Impact – Simple initiatives like health drop-ins or informal meetups can create a more supportive and open workplace culture.

💰 Women & Retirement: Closing the Savings Gap for Good

Read the full 964-word article here

I’ve always believed that retirement should be a time to relax and enjoy life. But for many women, financial insecurity threatens that vision. A Prudential study found that younger women are stepping up. Over two-thirds are now primary or equal decision-makers in their household finances.

Key Takeaways

• 📉 The Retirement Savings Gap – Women retire with significantly less than men—$50K vs. $157K on average—due to wage gaps and caregiving duties.

• 🚀 Younger Women Are Taking Charge – More women are making financial decisions early, setting them up for a more secure retirement.

• 💡 Financial Planning Is Crucial – CFP-certified advisors help women maximize savings, dispel myths, and plan for caregiving responsibilities.

• 🏢 Employers Can Help – Workplace financial education, 401(k) guidance, and CFP-led seminars can empower women to boost their savings.

 👇️ Latest in HR  

• ❎ Medicaid cuts: The workforce crisis HR leaders can’t ignore

• 🏢 RTO mandates: JPMorgan CEO rejects employees' petition to revive hybrid work arrangements

• 🤖 In AI, We Trust: 2/3 of Gen Z and millennials would follow AI's retirement advice

• 🙊 No More Chatty Coworkers? Slack Imagines a Future Workplace Where You Chat More With AIs Than With Your Colleagues

🧑‍💼 Workplace Training Is Booming—But…Without AI

Read the full 341-word article here

I’ve sat through my fair share of workplace training sessions. Some were helpful, but let’s be honest—many felt like a box-checking exercise. And according to new data, I’m not alone.

A Pew Research Center survey found that while despite employees receiving some form of job training, very few actually learned about AI—one of the most disruptive forces in the workplace today.

Key Insights:

• 📉 Workers are getting trained—but not on AI – While 50% of employees received training last year, only 12.2% learned about AI, despite its growing workplace impact.

• 🔄 Soft skills still dominate – Employers prioritize communication and critical thinking, but AI-related skills are largely missing from training programs.

• 🚀 Employees are teaching themselves – Many workers are adopting AI on their own, as companies struggle to keep up with rapid technological changes.

• 🏢 Hiring AI talent isn’t enough – Experts warn that businesses can’t just hire their way out of an AI skills gap—upskilling is crucial for long-term success.

💼 HR Burnout Is Real—So Who’s Taking Care of HR?

Read the full 1,245-word article here

I’ve seen it happen time and time again—HR teams are the first to support employees through stress, layoffs, and company-wide change. But when it comes to their own wellbeing? That often takes a backseat.

A new survey ‘What’s Keeping HR Up At Night’ by HR Executive found that majority of HR professionals experienced increased stress in 2024, with over a quarter saying it rose dramatically. The reason? Compassion fatigue, endless projects, and being caught between leadership and employees.

How can HR take care of everyone else if they’re running on empty?

Key Insights

• 🔥 HR burnout is rising fast – Nearly half of HR professionals say their stress increased in 2024, with 26% reporting a dramatic spike.

• ⚖️ Too much on their plate – HR is juggling layoffs, compliance, and workplace wellbeing while managing conflicting demands from leadership and employees.

• 🏋️ Support systems matter – Peer support, mentorship, and clear boundaries can help HR teams avoid compassion fatigue.

• 🛠️ HR needs its own resources – Just like they do for employees, companies must invest in HR wellbeing programs to prevent long-term burnout.