We engage passive job seekers to find the best opportunities possible. Through our global Amply network of publishers, we share the real issues impacting the workforce and review how organisations are responding.
This week, on Tech.eu, we look at the evolution of proximity bias, and what this means for your career growth. On the Australia-based Professional Beauty, we call time on “the compliment sandwich” and why it might not be working for your team. Meanwhile, over on Mediatel, we’re reviewing what we know so far about the four-day working week trial which has just passed its half-way point.
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Worried work from home is preventing your promotion?
In flexible working environments, proximity bias heightens the risk that in-office workers will receive preferential treatment simply by spending more in-person time with their managers, writes Jobbio contributor Susan Armstrong on Tech.eu. While nothing new (a 1974 study showed that recruits in the police academy formed better bonds with classmates whose last names were closer to theirs in the alphabet since seating charts were arranged alphabetically by last name), proximity bias is definitely on the rise thanks to remote working.
To overcome some of the associated issues, Armstrong suggests: “More frequent, informal catch-ups will be beneficial, so instead of relying on quarterly or annual performance reviews, ask your manager for weekly or bi-weekly one-on-one check-ins that include short-term performance goals.” But she also points out that proximity bias is not your problem to fix and desirable workforces will be actively addressing these issues.
Face Time: Tech.eu Jobs
Employee Feedback: Make the Compliment Sandwich Work
Much like a regular deli sandwich (bread + filling + bread), a compliment sandwich comprises negative feedback in between two slices of praise, writes Cindy McNaughton on Professional Beauty this week. Designed to make the negative feedback a little easier to swallow, this form of HR communication can be confusing.
“Your feedback should be clear, specific and to the point,” advises counsellor Dee McCormick. “The emphasis needs to be solution focused and come from a growth mindset.”
While it may work for some situations, the stats show today’s workforce would prefer employers keep the sugar coatings strictly for the communal doughnuts.
Savoury Delights : Professional Beauty Jobs
What we know about the four-day work week, so far
Over 3,000 employees across 70 UK companies have surpassed the halfway point of a six-month trial for a four-day work week, and Jobbio’s newest contributor, Filomena Kaguako is looking into some of the revelations of the pilot over on Mediatel.
According to a survey conducted by 4 Day Week Global around the halfway point of the pilot programme, squeezing five days of work into a four-day week didn’t stifle productivity levels. Hurrah for more productivity and less work!
And while there are some negatives recorded, the results to date have been overwhelmingly positive, as 88% of those who participated in the 4 Day Week Global survey said that the four-day week is working “well” for their business.
Four Score: Mediatel Jobs
Read last week’s partner content update here.
