Our April HR news roundup covers the cultivation mindset, free food as an employee benefit, going green at work, and more. Take a look!
The Cultivation Mindset
Traditional performance management processes simply aren’t cutting it anymore, says a recent Benefits Pro article. Why? “The process is missing the vital step of setting the right conditions to cultivate performance,” wrote the author. Recent Corporate Executive Board research cited in the article shows that 90% of HR leaders say the performance review process doesn’t provide accurate information, while only 14% of employees are inspired to improve based on the reviews they receive. How can you shift to a cultivation mindset that will help your employees grow and improve their experience? First, set goals with your employees — not for them. Show appreciation, provide recognition and feedback from multiple sources, remove obstacles, and more.
Passing the Torch
When it comes time for long-time leaders to retire, organizations often throw parties in their honor and ask other employees to share stories and memories. This is a great way to celebrate their commitment and contributions…but what about their wealth of company knowledge? According to a recent Harvard Business Review article, Ed Catmull, Pixar’s now-retired cofounder, spent his last day at work giving farewell talks about impending challenges the organization might face and what he thought everyone should be thinking about moving forward. “Most people feel they have to move on quickly,” Catmull told HBR. Instead, encourage your organization’s seasoned leaders to share their wisdom before they retire.
Free Food
When you think of employee benefits, things like health insurance and 401ks probably come to mind. But what about free food? Some organizations have taken to stocking cabinets with cereal, hosting bagel Fridays, or catering monthly lunches. And according to SHRM, free food is pretty important to today’s workforce. Bret Bonnet, co-founder and president of Quality Logo Products, put it best. “Food is love,” he told SHRM. But, there are limitations and drawbacks associated with these tasty offerings to keep in mind, too. First: budget can only stretch so far, and second: there will always be someone who goes back for seconds before everyone has eaten, or, worse yet, fills up a Tupperware to bring home.
Recruiting Starts Early…
…As early as middle school. Fast Company reports that organizations are offering interesting opportunities for middle and high school students in an effort to build relationships with the next generation — and it’s working. In 2014, Hyland Software introduced Hy-Tech Camps, followed by Hy-Tech Clubs and a Hackathon. Now, they’re getting internship applications from their inaugural campers, who are currently in college. “There’s that loyalty there to come work for Hyland instead of going to move to the West Coast, Silicon Valley,” said Caitlin Nowland, Hyland’s technical outreach programs manager. Many other organizations are following suit, opening the door to technology opportunities for the younger generation to explore.
Going Green
Last week, organizations across the country celebrated Earth Day by hosting cleanups, going on team hikes, and planting workplace gardens. And for many, boosting sustainability has become a year-round project. According to SHRM, “It’s not just firms whose businesses have an environmental focus that are paying closer attention to how their actions affect the planet.” Some used Earth Day as a launch pad for their new initiatives. PayPal debuted an app that will help employees learn how to reduce their carbon footprints; Allbirds imposed a carbon tax on themselves; and Pepsi introduced a ‘hydration platform’ that will encourage consumers to fill up their own reusable bottles. The future is green — what eco-friendly practices does your organization have in place?
