On this episode of Back to Work, we are joined by Becca Donovan, director of HR and organizational development at Yoh, for a crash course in upskilling and reskilling. As the competition for talent intensifies, companies are increasingly employing these processes to attract, retain and elevate their workforce. The opportunities for learning and development enabled by upskilling and reskilling are mutually beneficial – employees can enhance their skillsets and advance their careers, while employers can adapt to industry changes and be perceived as forward-looking.

Becca breaks down the differences between upskilling and reskilling, turning to Yoh’s own benefits as examples. She also provides step-by-step guidance for companies seeking to develop or strengthen their upskilling and reskilling programs, including tips for measuring impact, collaborating with hiring managers and HR partners, and supporting employees as they grow. The best efforts, according to Becca, are driven by leaders who take time to explain the ‘why’ and demonstrate to employees how upskilling and reskilling programs can improve their day-to-day work experiences.

The episode concludes with a discussion on best practices for using upskilling and reskilling to future-proof operations and encourage employees to embrace new technology, including artificial intelligence and automation. With these tools constantly reshaping the world of work, companies are being asked about their position on upskilling and reskilling more than ever. Organizations that prioritize employee development are best positioned to attract talent, retain talent and, ultimately, grow their business.

For more information, listeners are invited to connect with Becca on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/becca-donovan-815b7a11) or via email ([email protected]).  

Burnout is not just an individual issue; it has become an organizational crisis that is reshaping modern workplaces seemingly every day. A recent Harris Poll conducted by Yoh revealed that nearly one in three employed Americans experienced burnout in the past year. Even more concerning is that many workers do not recognize the signs of burnout until they are already deep into exhaustion, disengagement, and declining productivity.

In this episode of Back to Work, Dr. Bryan Robinson—a licensed psychotherapist and expert on work addiction and author of more than 40 books, including Chained to the Desk, #Chill: Turn Off Your Job and Turn On Your Life and Daily Writing Resilience—discusses the root causes of workplace burnout and offers recommendations for hiring managers on how to foster a healthier work culture. The conversation also emphasizes the impact of burnout on middle managers, a group that is often overlooked yet significantly affected. As companies push for increased productivity amid economic uncertainty, Dr. Robinson cautions against the dangers of work addiction and the long-term consequences of a workforce that is burned out.

With nearly one in three American workers experiencing burnout in the past year, Dr. Robinson provides actionable strategies for leaders to transition from outdated management styles to a more empathetic, strengths-based approach.

To learn more about Bryan Robinson or to purchase any one of his books, visit: https://bryanrobinsonphd.com/

In this episode of Yoh's Back to Work podcast, Tina Suozzi, Senior Director of Delivery for Strategic Accounts at Yoh, discusses the importance of well-crafted interview questions in today's competitive job market where candidates can often have multiple offers.
 
 Tina shares findings from a recent Yoh survey on preferred interview questions and offers practical advice for interviewers and candidates to succeed in hiring. Tina highlights the need to balance technical and soft skill assessments while emphasizing how thoughtful questions can attract and engage top talent. During the episode, she explores the role of question framing in eliciting meaningful responses and the significance of keeping a human element in recruitment despite advancements in AI.
 
 To learn more about Tina Suozzi visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-suozzi-447a9326

To learn more about the Harris Poll survey results:  https://www.yoh.com/press-room/yoh-survey-reveals-what-americans-most-want-to-discuss-when-looking-for-a-job 

On this episode of Yoh’s Back to Work podcast, we delve into the complexities and importance of proper performance reviews with Zach Davis, General Counsel at Yoh. Zach details how effective performance reviews can help to retain top talent, identify and address issues, and even boost morale.
 
This episode also highlights the need for a balanced approach, combining constructive criticism with positive feedback, and the importance of regular informal check-ins to prevent surprises during formal reviews. He also highlights the role of performance reviews in reducing employment litigation by fostering a culture of fairness. The conversation touches on the challenges of remote performance reviews and the potential impact of AI on the process, including its ability to help identify unconscious bias and draft appropriate feedback.
 
To learn more about Zach Davis visit: https://www.yoh.com/about/leadership-team/zachary-davis                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

In this episode of Back to Work, we discuss the benefits of mentorship and guidance during career transitions, including how to identify and cultivate relationships with mentors who can provide valuable advice and support. Ursula Williams, President of Staffing Industry Analysts joins us again to provide expert insight.
 
The episode begins with Ursula discussing the importance of having a mentor in today's work environment and how they can positively impact your career in both the short and long term. She emphasizes the significance of setting guidelines for each mentor-mentee relationship and how providing tough love can be beneficial in sharing knowledge about specific situations.
 
Ursula also reflects on her experiences as a mentor and offers advice for those considering becoming a mentor to a younger person in the workforce. 

To learn more about Ursula Williams, visit: https://www.staffingindustry.com/who-we-are/ursula-williams 

To learn more about Staffing Industry Analysts, visit: https://www.staffingindustry.com/ 

On this episode of Back to Work, we explore how a crisis can either strengthen or weaken a company and how to effectively manage it in today's workplace. Our guest is Ursula Williams, President of Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA).
 
Ursula discusses the key traits of successful teams, emphasizing the importance of good chemistry, understanding each other's working styles, and  how to come together in both good times and tough times. She also stresses the significance of holding team members accountable, maintaining individualized plans for each team member, and promoting clear and frequent communication.
 
Ursula highlights the importance of resiliency, adapting to the ever-changing nature of each day, and remaining flexible and agile when addressing problems. Setting key performance indicators (KPIs), conducting one-on-one meetings, and organizing staff meetings are essential. Ursula explains how the ability to make critical decisions by analyzing data and trends to mitigate potential crises is crucial. 

To learn more about Ursula Williams, visit: https://www.staffingindustry.com/who-we-are/ursula-williams 

To learn more about Staffing Industry Analysts, visit: https://www.staffingindustry.com/ 

On this episode of Back to Work, we explore the world of side skills and their significance in today's workplace. Our guest is Patricia Taitt-Forrester, Founder and President of Triumph Business and Career Solutions. 

This episode begins with Patricia defining “side skills,” which range from hobbies like photography and coding to creative endeavors like podcasting and writing fiction. Patricia explains how these side skills, which mainly developed outside primary job responsibilities, can be brought to work to enhance job satisfaction and even drive company innovation.

Patricia highlights the growing emphasis on learning and development (L&D) in the workplace, offering strategies for managers to align L&D opportunities with their employees’ interests and career goals. She then tackles the challenges of balancing retention and development, addressing the concern that employees might leave after developing new skills. Patricia provides advice on creating a culture of respect and support, ensuring smoother transitions and stronger professional relationships.

On this episode of “Back to Work,” we delve into the topic of inclusive leadership. Our guest on this installment is none other than Dr. Shirley Davis, President and CEO of SDS Global Enterprises Inc. Dr. Davis has over thirty years of business experience in a variety of senior, C-level roles for Fortune 100 and Fortune 50 corporations. She previously served as Vice President of Global Diversity & Inclusion and Workforce Strategies for the Society for Human Resource Management, the world's largest HR professional organization. 
 
Join us as we explore what it means to adopt an inclusive leadership strategy. We discuss how it can not only improve employee attitudes but also lead to better business results. This episode covers the ins and outs of inclusive leadership and how it can benefit you and your company. 
 
We also discuss strategies for adapting and thriving in a changing workforce and how leaders can inspire their employees to accomplish their goals. The episode ends by looking to the future and what leadership, or the workforce, will look like by 2030 or 2050.
 
If you would like to learn more about inclusive leadership, we encourage you to read Dr. Davis’ most recent book, “Inclusive Leadership for Dummies.” It is available on Amazon at the following link: Inclusive Leadership for Dummies. If you would like to contact Dr. Davis, you can reach her on her LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube or at her website, drshirleydavis.com .

On second part of this special two-part series of Yoh's Back to Work podcast, guest Tom Enright, VP of Recruiting Specialty Practices at Yoh, explores key aspects of developing an effective recruiting strategy in 2024. Tom discusses the impact of hybrid work on talent acquisition, emerging recruiting technologies, strategies for welcoming Gen Z into the workforce, and how companies can plan for a potential economic downturn.  
 
With more than 30 years of recruiting experience, Tom shares his expert insights and practical guidance on navigating the evolving landscape of talent acquisition.  

If you haven’t listened yet, be sure to check out part one, where we discussed the new candidate journey, changes in employer branding, and the evolution of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace with Matt Rivera, Senior VP of Marketing and Communications at Yoh and Day & Zimmermann: [LINK] 

On the first part of this two-part series of Yoh’s Back to Work podcast, guest Matt Rivera, Senior VP of Marketing and Communication at Yoh, explores the dynamic world of talent acquisition in 2024. Reflecting on 2023, the episode addresses challenges such as inflation and labor movements, setting the stage for a discussion on emerging trends shaping the recruitment landscape.  
 
Matt gives insights into the changes in the candidate journey amid hybrid work, and the pivotal impact of authentic employer branding on attracting and retaining top-tier talent in the highly competitive job market. The episode concludes with a focus on diversity and inclusion in talent acquisition, shedding light on the evolving landscape and practical strategies for ensuring diversity is more than a buzzword in recruitment efforts. 
 
Stay tuned for the next part of this series featuring a conversation with Tom Enright, Vice President of Recruiting Specialty Practices at Yoh. That episode will examine hybrid work’s impact on recruiting, new recruiting and talent management technologies, and strategies for welcoming Gen Z into the workforce.