by Heather Quinn, RGS Human Resources Advisor
Public service human resources professionals all know that it is critical to follow the HR industry blogs and bulletins for the latest updates on issues relevant to our day-to-day work, such as labor relations or implementation of whatever new law may be barreling down the pike. But like me, you may enjoy taking a break from the nuts and bolts of day-to-day administration, and breathe in a broader perspective on the wide world of work. Lately, I’ve been impressed by the New York Times (NYT) coverage of workplace issues. Here, I provide a brief synopsis of recent NYT work-related coverage, along with a link to each article. While these articles use corporate work culture as a backdrop, much can be gleaned for those of us who work in the public sector. This list is in no way comprehensive or reflective of any particular ideology. Instead, it is a brief slice of what I’ve read and found enlightening in recent months. I hope you find these articles as thought provoking as I did.
Click on the title of each article to view the full New York Times articles.
Guess Who Doesn’t Fit In at Work
This article by an Associate Professor at the Kellogg School of Management provides a well-researched, data-driven analysis of the issue of “cultural fit” as it is applied and often misunderstood in the hiring process. The article details how certain factors can easily be mistaken for skill and/or fit, especially for the new hiring manager, such as rapport in the interview process or being a graduate of the same university as the hiring manager. The author goes further to provide suggestions on how the concept of fit can be applied productively, such as basing fit on an analysis of what types of values, traits and behaviors actually predict on-the-job success. A must read for those of you involved in the recruitment and selection process, and for all hiring managers.
Escalating Demands at Work Hurt Employees and Companies
This is an interesting analysis of the growing nationwide trend towards a “24/7” workplace. The columnist writes of how our “supercharged” digital world, the global economy and demanding expectations of many organizations are colliding to negatively impact workers of all stripes from nail salon workers to CEOs. If nothing else, this is a good reminder of the importance of self-care in today’s increasingly complex and oftentimes stressful world of work. While RGS is not a 24/7 work environment, many of our advisors will work weekends and evenings to get the job done. Balance is necessary to really be effective at what you do.
This is a fascinating look inside the workplace of Amazon. Through in-depth interviews with a number of current and former employees, a review of Amazon’s 14 Leadership Principles, and a look at the company culture, it is possible to get a glimpse of what an exhilarating and punishing environment Amazon can be for its employees. After it was published in August 2015, this story stirred quite a bit of controversy. Jeff Bezos quickly retorted that he did not recognize the company as described here. This online article provides links to Bezos’ response and to related stories, should you be interested in digging deeper. While Amazon is an extreme example of the modern workplace, there are always lessons to be learned. If you decide to read this, maybe you’ll find value in one or more of Bezo’s Leadership Principles, or maybe you will simply be grateful for a career in a balanced organization!
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