Your company culture checklist should include more PTO and community involvement

Long story short: Your company culture checklist should include more PTO and community involvement

January 28, 2022 11:40 AM

Are you hearing what your employees are saying about workplace culture?

How employers engage with their workforce has gone through constant change during the pandemic, but as we all settle into the new year, organizations are exploring how their company culture can settle in, too. Whether that’s exploring new ways to promote DEI, offering more time off, or listening to younger employees for remote engagement strategies, employers are throwing lots of ideas at the wall to see what sticks.

In this week’s top stories, HR leaders share how they’re taking their culture to the next level: making investments in community is the goal of ThredUp board member Coretha Rushing, who told EBN employees want to feel connected to a company’s bigger mission, through ESG efforts and community outreach. And one health insurance company is experimenting with regular “recharge” days, offering a three-day weekend off per month, establishing their stance as a company that gives space for both work and life needs. See how these other leaders are rethinking work in the stories below:

The former CHRO of Equifax and Coca-Cola talks DEI, ESG and company culture

After spending more than 35 years working in human resources, Coretha Rushing has learned a thing or two about creating company cultures that employees respond to. Rushing speaks with editor-in-chief Stephanie Schomer about the bigger role employees want to play within their organization.

“This whole concept of employers trying to create the best workplace, that’s been going on for 20 years,” she says. “Some companies may have paid lip service to it, but the better employers that have been able to attract and retain employees over time have been the companies that are connected not only to a financial mission, but the community that they service and that they’re part of.”

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The former CHRO of Equifax and Coca-Cola talks DEI, ESG and company culture

A 3-day weekend every month? How this employer is making it happen

With stress and burnout on the rise, more companies are looking for ways to help combat the impact of poor mental health with some much needed downtime. Health insurer Sidecar Health has implemented a new benefit called “recharge days,” which will provide its 225 employees with a three-day weekend each month.

Associate editor Amanda Schiavo explores how these policies can help employers respond to increasing pressures and stressors employees have been under as a result of COVID-19, while boosting productivity and the company’s bottom line.

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A 3-day weekend every month? How this employer is making it happen

Nearly a quarter of young workers have only ever known remote work. This is how to create a culture of support

Employees entering the workforce for the first time may not know what kind of office life they’re missing out on due to the pandemic, but it doesn’t mean employers shouldn’t try and make up for the cultural loss.

“Making sense of a whole new working life and culture was a challenge during the age of office work,” says Nicholas Wyman, president of the Institute for Workplace Skills and Innovation. “It’s an even greater challenge in our new normal of remote work settings.” Associate editor Paola Peralta checks in with Wyman about ways to get newer employees into the fold remotely.

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Nearly a quarter of young workers have only ever known remote work. This is how to create a culture of support

Would you pay employees to take a month off? How sabbaticals boost productivity and retention

Extended time off — or a sabbatical — is gaining steam among top employers. While just 5% currently offer fully-paid time away, according to the Society of Human Resource Management, the investment pays off with more committed and refreshed employees. At Envoy Global, employees have the option to take an extra month off after seven years of service.

Kira Meinzer, chief people officer at HR software platform Envoy Global, chats with executive editor Alyssa Place on why this policy helps more seasoned employees feel refreshed, while giving younger employees a chance to shine.

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Would you pay employees to take a month off? How sabbaticals boost productivity and retention