Create-Ability to cease operations, lay off 61
In a letter to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Create-Ability announced that it will close the organization on Aug. 31, 2021.
Employment & HR
‘Loneliness epidemic’ hits Gen Z hardest: 1 in 4 are lonely at work
The COVID-19 pandemic may have made all of us feel isolated during its darkest days of lockdowns and work-from-home mandates, but for the youngest generation of workers, Generation Z, that loneliness is nothing new.
Veto override fails, enhanced unemployment to remain
After a failed GOP attempt to override Gov. Tony Evers's veto of a bill to kill the enhanced federal unemployment benefits, the funds will continue to flow to Wisconsin out-of-work residents until September.
10 red flags of a toxic hybrid workplace
A recent survey from the Harvard Business School Online of nearly 1,500 professionals who worked remotely during the pandemic found that 81% either don’t want to go back to the office or would prefer a hybrid schedule.
Telework survey seeks respondents
The Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is inviting employees, managers, and executives working in the Madison region to participate in the Greater Madison Telework Survey 2021.
City adds Juneteenth holiday, Ho-Chunk Day
City of Madison employees will now receive paid time off on June 19 – recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday – and renamed the day after Thanksgiving to Ho-Chunk Day.
Labor logjam
Even as the nation emerges from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economy continues its recovery, the hiring headaches employers have faced for months aren’t yet over.
Madison companies ranked nationally for career growth
Nordic Consulting Partners was ranked 43rd among large companies nationwide and Fetch Rewards was ranked 21st among small and mid-size companies nationwide for career growth opportunities.
Fines increased for employment law posting requirements
The U.S. Department of Labor has increased fines for employers that do not comply with posting employment posters in their workplace.
Illinois company acquires Madison National Life
Horace Mann Educators Corp., a Springfield, Illinois-based provider of insurance and retirement products to educators and school employees, will acquire Madison National Life for $172.5 million.
WEDC, DWD, and Urban League to announce new grants
Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes, Department of Workforce Development Secretary Amy Pechacek, and Dr. Ruben Anthony of the Urban League of Greater Madison will announce nearly $700,000 in new grants for Black wealth-building and economic empowerment initiatives on Friday, July 16.
Evers announces $130 million for workforce solutions
Gov. Tony Evers announced a $130 million investment for solutions to help address the state’s post-pandemic workforce needs.
M3 Trends Report: Health insurance rates rise 4.2%
Local employers wondering about their annual investment in health benefit plans have received some guidance from the 2021 M3 Trends Report, which says that M3 clients in the south-central Wisconsin market experienced an overall rate increase of 4.2% percent in 2021.
Evers signs bill preventing unemployment rate increases
Gov. Tony Evers signed Assembly Bill 406, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 59, which prevents the increase of unemployment insurance (UI) contribution rates.
U.S. hiring accelerates, 850,000 jobs added in June
The latest jobs report from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics showed the U.S. added 850,000 jobs in June as hiring rebounded.
WMC, other business groups side with Republicans about unemployment benefits
In a reaction statement to Gov. Tony Evers’ veto of Assembly Bill 336, which would have ended the federal pandemic-related unemployment benefits, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) stated that a coalition of local chambers and other business associations have urged the governor to end Wisconsin’s participation in these expanded benefits.
Many happy returns
Throughout the country, employers are developing return-to-the-office plans that envision what the office of the post-pandemic world will look like.
Is your business prepared for the great resignation?
Employees are jumping ship for new opportunities. Here is what you can do to keep your team.
It’s time to speak up
We’ve all had those moments in a meeting when we have an idea to contribute and really want to speak up but don’t know if we should.
Business is to blame for big labor’s decline
Given the dwindling percentage of private-sector workers who belong to unions — now only about 6% — Big Labor is in big trouble.
