As the saying goes, the news never stops. In this weekly news roundup, we’ll cover the top news stories impacting American workplaces and communities.
1. KPMG Study Shows Workplace Stress Is on the Rise for Executive Women
A recent survey conducted by KPMG (No. 6 on Fair360’s 2023 Top 50 Companies for Diversity list) revealed that executive women are experiencing a significant increase in workplace stress compared to pre-pandemic levels.
The survey included insights from over 1,500 executive women from leading U.S. companies who participated in the KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit. Key findings show that 91% of executive women perceive a surge in workplace stress compared to before the pandemic, with increased workloads and expectations being the primary factors. Additionally, 58% of women report added responsibilities related to managing their teams’ mental health alongside their own.
Executive women prioritize self-care and seek support, with 79% emphasizing the importance of wellness for job success. They show authenticity, empathy and set boundaries to support their teams’ mental health. However, the report indicates that women desire more support from employers in promoting mental health and well-being, especially during challenging times.
2. HR Professionals Combat Burnout: Strategies for Recharging and Finding Balance
Burnout is a common experience for HR professionals who face numerous challenges in their work, including handling workplace issues, managing different generational expectations, recruitment difficulties and navigating the work-from-home versus return-to-office dilemma.
A recent study by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) revealed that many HR workers feel drained and exhausted at the end of the day, impacting their ability to engage in activities outside of work.
To combat burnout, HR professionals employ various strategies. Some find solace in hobbies like ballet, photography, boxing, hiking or music, which help them disconnect and rejuvenate. Others prioritize activities such as fishing, tennis, gardening, painting, napping, therapy or quiet time in nature, all of which contribute to their overall well-being and resilience.
3. Best Practices for Recognizing Different Religions in the Workplace
Companies often overlook different religious practices when addressing workplace fairness. However, embracing religious identity can foster a sense of belonging among employees and improve customer service.
Harvard Business Review suggests several best practices for companies to positively engage with religious diversity. Some of those steps include: changing the mindset from viewing religion as a risk to seeing it as an asset, establishing clear guidelines for religious engagement and developing religious literacy.
Discover the importance of religious inclusion in your organization by exploring Fair360’s Interfaith Meeting in a Box. This resource delves into the evolving faith demographics in the United States. It also offers valuable insights and tips on creating an employee resource group (ERG) as a powerful tool for promoting the inclusion of all religious backgrounds.
4. Medtronic’s CEO Reveals Divestiture Strategy and Focus on High-Flyer Growth Markets
While speaking at the Goldman Sachs Annual Global Healthcare Conference this month, Geoff Martha, Chairman and CEO of Medtronic (No. 2 on Fair360’s 2023 Top 50 Companies for Diversity list), outlined the company’s strategy on divestitures and areas of high growth where it plans to increase investments.
According to Medical Design and Outsourcing, Medtronic has recently announced plans to spin off certain businesses, and Martha stated that the company’s review of its portfolio is an ongoing process.
The industry news website says the medical device company aims to prioritize investment in what Martha calls “high-flyers,” which include neurovascular, structural heart, soft-tissue robotics, diabetes and AFib.
5. Concerns Rise Over Patients With Mental Health Needs Lingering in Emergency Rooms
Doctors are raising concerns about the growing number of patients, particularly those with mental health needs, lingering in hospital emergency rooms due to a lack of available beds. This issue has reached “crisis levels,” with patients waiting for hours, days or even weeks in emergency rooms before being admitted to hospitals or appropriate care settings.
As reported by USA Today, a survey by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) found that 97% of emergency room doctors reported boarding times exceeding one day, and some patients waited over two weeks for admission or transfer. The shortage of psychiatric beds, staffing challenges and limited access to outpatient care contribute to this problem.
This is the latest example of an issue that affects health equity: the ability to provide an equal opportunity for all individuals to reach their optimal state of physical and mental well-being. Visit Fair360 to learn more about health equity.
