Elevating HR Newsletter

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We hope you had a great Thanksgiving. And now that Cyber Monday deals have ended, we can officially kick off the office holiday season!

Of course, this year won't look anything like years past. As we shared two weeks ago, 77% of companies aren't planning on holding a year-end celebration. (In 2019, 76% were.)

But that doesn't mean we should bah-humbug this December. If anything, showing your employees how much you appreciate them is more important than ever.

So in this edition, we're looking at holiday hacks designed to keep your workplace physically distant but socially close as you close out 2020.

2020 Holiday Hacks

An analytical approach to appreciation. We're all in uncharted waters when trying to convey gratitude in a year like this one. So take a page out of the design-thinking playbook to test and iterate on new ways to recognize your staff's hard work. Read.

Outside the video-chat box. The holidays are a chance to reconnect. So during a pandemic, that means video, right? But for many, any meeting link feels like a link to, well, a meeting. To make upcoming celebrations feel less like work, think beyond Zoom. Read.

Stock up on these 2020 holiday ideas. Okay, if Zoom's out, what else is there? No need to brainstorm. The Center for Positive Organizations has you covered. They recently held a hack-a-thon to generate dozens of ways to celebrate with your workplace. Check it out.

What Caught Our Eye This Week

A recruiting December like no other. This month, 14 million workers will lose their unemployment benefits. Are you ready to catch this tidal wave of job searchers? Read.

Robo-job-pocalypse? A recent MIT analysis found automation's impact on employment has been overhyped and overshadowed by other forces driving income inequality. Read. 

Remembering an artist with a CEO title. Former head of Zappos Tony Hsieh shockingly died last week. He was an e-commerce titan and a masterclass in management. Read.

But why? Learning is easier when it's interesting. But passively consuming information is boring. Spark curiosity by encouraging questions about things we take as a given. Read.

EQ in VR. There aren't many opportunities to practice our emotional intelligence when the stakes aren't high. Virtual reality simulations might offer a low-stakes solution. Read.

Collaborating in the New World of Work Forum

Wondering where work is headed in 2021? Join us on Friday, December 11, from 3–4:30 pm for a virtual forum on the evolving nature of working together.

We'll discuss this topic in small groups and report insights back out to the larger group.

This event isn't just another webinar. Based on the World Café method, it's designed to engage every participant in meaningful conversation. You'll miss out if you wait for the recording. Learn more and RSVP.

Additional Resources

Remote work evaluation template. Do you have positions that can't be conducted virtually? Make sure you correctly document why, using our free template. Email us.

Immediate HR support. Is your team struggling to keep up right now? Our staff is ready to provide the help you need, starting yesterday. Learn more. 

New normal. New challenges. Whatever obstacles you're facing in your people operations, we can help. Call, email, or schedule a free consultation with us.

Have feedback on this edition? Let us know here.