Employees Are Feeling Betrayed, Lost, And Confused

in a world of inflation, layoffs, mass shootings and violence

Welcome to my inaugural weekly Employee Care Report. I have to admit that I was inspired by Sara Mauskopf , Co-Founder and CEO of Winnie, who writes a weekly report on childcare. My weekly report will go live on Friday PM, and will focus on workplaces and wellbeing, including care infrastructure for employees of all kinds - parents, caregivers, people of color, LGBTQIA+ - all of us, at home and at work. 

I want to start by acknowledging the events of the past few weeks that started with a mass shooting in Monterrey Park, California where members of the AAPI community were tragically shot and wounded while celebrating the Lunar New Year. We’ve had at least 39 mass shootings in the U.S since then, including an apparent workplace violence case in Half Bay Moon, California.  And this past week in Memphis, Tennessee, a vibrant young black man was beaten to death by five members of the police just 100 yards away from his home. As we come to terms with these horrible events, we must not forget the massive and reckless layoffs this month, with over 68,000 jobs lost in the tech industry alone. This is happening as we navigate major headwinds, high cost of goods and services, reproductive rights injustice, and more. 

As we head into a new week, I implore employers and line managers to practice empathy, and show deep consideration and understanding for employees who are navigating real fear and anxiety, pain and depression, and so much more than we could possibly imagine. 

Let’s dive into this week’s employee care report:

1. We are just workers, says employees who no longer have faith in the tech industry. I think companies will find out very quickly that employee care is even more important during layoffs to ensure those left behind aren’t traumatized by the experience of seeing their co-workers expelled so quickly without consideration.

2. Dual Career Couples weren’t exempt from the recent layoff either, talk about not laying your eggs in one basket. It used to be that when couples worked together in a company, they felt protected, that is no longer the case.

3. Childbirth + Layoff? This is not the birth story Kate wanted. The first moments of your child’s life should be filled with unimaginable joy. It shouldn’t be one where you experience loss and grief. I am so sorry Kate. 

4. With an eye on working families, Democrats launch the Congressional Dads Caucus. California Rep. Jimmy Gomez brought his infant son Hodge to witness the historical events unfold. A few weeks later, without a baby in hand, Gomez launched the Congressional Dads Caucus.

5. The latest U.S Department of Labor latest report found the cost of child care untenable for families across all care types, age groups, and county population sizes, stating that its holding back working mothers, and preventing too many people from achieving economic stability. I am hoping that with Congressional Dads in on childcare, we can get them to work on paid leave and lowering the cost of care for all.

6. LaFawn Davis, a Senior Vice President of Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) at Indeed, when asked about the importance and benefits of keeping employees happy shared something so profound “As employees experience well-being in the workplace, they actually keep a company's purpose in mind and the outcomes that a company wants to have. They're able to problem-solve better, be more innovative, and work for you longer because they're actually there.” Full disclosure, Indeed is a client of MH, and we are so incredibly thrilled to be aligned with them on work and wellbeing.

That’s it for now. I wanted this to be short and straight to the point. If you have suggestions on how to make this weekly report more efficient and effective, please send us an email at hello@mhworklife.com. You can follow me on LinkedIn where I share real time news on all things employee care at home and at work.

Quick reminder, next week I will be sitting down with Stephanie Schomer, Editor-In-Chief, Employee Benefit News to talk about benefits at work this year. This fireside conversation is designed for employers and employees. Join us!