Content We're Loving: Best of August

Summer is quickly coming to a close. August was the month that "quiet quitting" exploded onto the scene. I think most HR professionals and leaders are already tired of hearing about it, so this month, we're exploring other essential topics. 

First, we jump into "career portfolios" and how businesses can implement this approach to help employees fulfill their potential and harness their skills to drive businesses forward.

Next, we look at the future of work, how companies increasingly rely on technology to monitor knowledge workers, and the many implications this has for businesses.

And lastly, we look at some tell-tale signs that a worker feels detached and lonely. Some of them will surprise you...

Happy reading, and see you next month!

Stop Offering Career Ladders. Start Offering Career Portfolios.

From: Harvard Business Review
Topic: Employee development, management

I recently read the book Promotions Are So Yesterday for our quarterly Book Club series. In this 2022 book, the author calls for companies to abandon the idea that employee development can only be achieved through official "moves" or "promotions."

Similarly, this HBR article proposes the concept of "career portfolios" as an alternative to "climbing the ladder." It bases its reasoning on the same idea as the book – employees aren't as motivated to climb the ladder as they once were.

To be clear: Employees still want to evolve and grow. But It doesn't mean they want to climb blindly.

When employees claim to desire "career advancement," what they are actually looking for are the many benefits of advancement.

Such as:

• autonomy
• influence
• challenge
• expertise
• fulfillment

When done well, developing career portfolios is mutually beneficial. Companies reap the benefits of using employees' untapped skills. And most importantly, employees feel more fulfilment at work, as their greatest strengths and skills are being utilized. As a result, they stay longer and work harder for their employer.

Read the full article

The Rise of the Worker Productivity Score

From: New York Times
Topic: Productivity, employee performance, future of work

This editorial piece from New York Times is an eye-opening and slightly frightening glimpse at how employee monitoring is evolving in the workplace. Black Mirror, anybody?

Companies have been using basic monitoring technology on low-wage workers for quite some time. For example, we all know how Amazon employees are tracked closely with technology. 

But now, due to the rise of work from home, businesses are implementing similar technology for their knowledge workers. 

The article explores the benefits or drawbacks of robust tracking technology for businesses through interviews and anecdotes with employees, managers, and owners. And also the developers behind some of the biggest names in tracking technology. 

The author examines how organizations are adopting these tools too quickly and, as a result, are making mistakes and creating a whole host of other issues. If your company uses any technology to track productivity or is considering it, this article can be a valuable read, as it offers thoughtful criticism and recommendations on how to avoid these problems, which could affect your workplace in the long run.

10 Signs of an Isolated and Lonely Worker

From: Psychology Today
Topic: Management

It can be difficult to tell if an employee feels off, especially in remote teams when much communication is over chat or email. But it is important to recognize these signs because someone who feels isolated and lonely is likely to turn inward, become hypervigilant, and avoid others. 

This behaviour can escalate into unwanted conflict, passive-aggressive behaviour, and other actions that can harm team morale. Early detection is key to providing support as quickly as possible. 

Here are the 10 signs to look out for in an employee starting to feel detached from work.

• Sloppy Work
• Change in Habits
• Stops Offering Input
• Skips or Resents Meetings
• Only Talks Work
• Limited Interaction with Coworkers
• An Apathetic Attitude
• Excessive Working

I think that the last point is interesting as "excessive working" may not, on the surface, seem like a sign of a lonely or detached worker. But sometimes, employee problems have a strange way of manifesting themselves. For example, employees frustrated about not receiving recognition may double down on working hard to demonstrate they are worthy of it. Or they may do the total opposite and put less effort in. 

Bottom line: Each employee is different, so it's crucial to take note of any changes from their normal behaviour. That is always the surest sign that something is “off.”

Read the full article