Feb 2024 | 44th EDITION NEWSLETTER

WHAT'S NEW(S)?

HR 101: The History of The Gender Pay Gap

HR Brew | Amanda Schiavo | January 29, 2024

Equal pay for equal work—what a notion.

Welcome to HR 101. Class is now in session. Today’s discussion will focus on the history of the battle to close the gender pay gap.

But first: Hey, Alexa, play “The Man,” by Taylor Swift.

The history. Women’s fight for equal pay is centuries old. An 1869 New York Times letter to the editor questioned why female employees of the federal government were not being paid the same as their male colleagues. The letter’s author noted that, at the time of publication, the Treasury Department employed about 500 women, all of whom were earning half as much as their male colleagues.

This Benefit Is More Sought After Than Remote Work

Fast Company | Beth Castle | January 30, 2024

InHerSight data says that in 2024 women’s top must have in the workplace isn’t a home office at all. Rather, it’s flexible work hours.

There’s no avoiding the fact that many job seekers want to work from home.

According to FlexJobs, 65% of people say they want to work remotely full-time, and data from InHerSight, a company reviews platform helping women find companies and jobs, indicates nearly 90% of women are seeking or open to remote work. This headline is likely headache-inducing for many business leaders still locked in the ongoing remote-hybrid-office debate . . . but there’s a catch.

Surviving The Storm: How To Deal with A Narcissist at Work

HR Digest | Jane Harper | January 27, 2024

It would be nice if we could say that narcissistic coworkers were a rare breed, few and far between, but unfortunately dealing with a narcissist at work is something that may have had to come to terms with. Learning how to deal with a narcissist at work takes considerable time and energy, but if it allows you to maintain your peace at work and get your tasks done without interference or interruption, it seems worth investing the energy to figure it out. It might also help to understand these narcissistic coworkers in the workplace rather than just resorting to pushing them away every chance you get.

"This conference is absolutely game and perspective-changing! The wide variety of sessions to grow and learn from are incredibly engaging, packed with powerful approaches that resonate and dig deep. It is rare to find a conference where you come out feeling entirely energized and ready to try new tactics to what is currently in play. Better yet, for those of us where we've made changes in our careers, we can see the evolution of where things were, and where they could go (or even didn't). Not only can I look back on my prior experiences and apply these newfound thoughts and ideologies, I am able to do the same in the current day and provide a future outlook for where we are and where we want to go. Life is about the journey and learning every step of the way. This conference has been an absolutely amazing experience, and I'm incredibly grateful to share this experience with my company. Just as life changes, so does everything around us. Being open to new approaches and ideas, we then open ourselves up to growth and opportunity. And being able to take this back and share it with others - you gain the great satisfaction of paying it forward. Such a profound and rewarding experience! Thank you for taking the time and dedication to making the most out of this event, and for bringing it to so many to share in the wonders."

IEC Spring 2023 Attendee

The Top Ten HR Trends That Matter Most In 2024

Forbes | Jeanne Meister | January 4. 2024

Rapid use of Generative AI, the emergence of a new blended workforce of humans and digital workers, and increasing employee fear of being obsolete (FOBO), together prove what Intel co-founder Gordon Moore (and the author of Moore’s Law) said, at any given point in time, “change has never been this fast and will never be this slow ever again.”

Resiliency, agility, and adopting a “test and learn approach” will mark the winning strategies for 2024.

1. Generative AI Will Be Your New Work Buddy

In 2024, Generative AI will shake up how we think about what work we do and what we delegate to our new “work buddy.”

Four Compliance Issues to Consider as Layoffs Tick Up

HR Brew | Courtney Vinopal | January 22, 2024

As job cuts continue into 2024, here are four rules HR must comply with when layoffs occur.

The year is off to a less than auspicious start for some parts of the workforce, as large companies including Google, Amazon, Citigroup, and BlackRock all announced their plans to lay off employees.

This is a continuation of job cuts that started last year, with the tech sector being hit particularly hard. And as some recent high-profile cases have illustrated (looking at you, Twitter), skirting legal obligations for departing employees can land firms in hot water.



Here are four compliance issues to consider when navigating layoffs for US workers.

2024 Priorities: Helping Employees with Career Management Strategies

HR Digest | Ava Martinez | January 7, 2024

Career management strategies are more important now than ever before as we step into a new year and hope to leave behind one that was full of job losses and instability. While employee career planning is largely left to the employees themselves, considering that organizations play a huge role in making or breaking an employee’s career, it is important for them to also contribute to their career management and planning as well. A career development plan, despite being well-designed, is always going to be subjected to the whims of the market and the organizations that participate in it, making it all the more important to develop an assortment of career management strategies that can help your employees build a better foothold at your organization.

7 Key Strategic HR Initiatives for A Triumphant 2024

Forbes | Joseph Soares | January 29, 2024

Undoubtedly, 2023 was a year marked by unprecedented challenges and transformations where the role of human resources became even more pivotal. As we step into 2024, organizations can use this transition to redefine their HR strategies, ensuring resilience, adaptability and success. Here are seven key focus areas for HR professionals to lead their organizations to a resounding victory in the coming year.

1. Embrace Digital Transformation

The digital age is not on the horizon; it's here. Throughout 2023, the imperative for HR departments to integrate digital technology was increasingly apparent. Companies like Tata Communications embraced this shift by adopting AI-driven recruitment systems.

6 HR Trends to Monitor in 2024

IEC Spring 2024 Sponsor Cottingham & Butler

HR professionals can stay ahead by monitoring trends that will impact the workplace in 2024 and resonate with current employees. As employee expectations continue to evolve, employers who elevate and strengthen their workforce strategies will have a competitive advantage when supporting and attracting today’s workers.

What's AI Got to Do With HR? And Why Your Employee Handbook Needs an AI Policy

IEC Speaker Skye Mercer 2024

While working in HR across diverse organizations, including Fortune 500s, nonprofits, local government, and small businesses, no matter where I worked, I spent around 30-50% of my time on repetitive HR- administrative tasks.

"The Ignite Change Iowa Employment Conference was one of the best conferences I have ever attended. I had a difficult time choosing which breakouts to attend because they were all relevant. The information shared by the speakers and applicable concepts I walked away with will be valuable to our organization. I was wowed over and over throughout the day. Thank you for bringing these amazing speakers together to ignite us to be change makers. I am truly grateful."

IEC Fall 2023 Attendee

Why Great Leaders Should Sometimes Make Things Harder for Their Teams, According To 2 Stanford Professors

Fast Company | Robert I. Sutton & Huggy Rao

January 30, 2024

In their new book, Robert I. Sutton and Huggy Rao dive into the drawbacks—and benefits—of friction.

Our seven-year project taught us that a bedrock belief of friction fixers is that if we focus on what to make easier and faster and what to make harder and slower, life will be better for workers and the people they serve. And if we turn our attention to finding when and where friction troubles arise, understanding the causes, and developing remedies, then our organization will be more humane, productive, innovative, and profitable.

20 Ways HR Managers Can Identify and Develop Talent

Expert Panel®

Forbes Councils Member

Forbes Human Resources Council

COUNCIL POST| Membership (Fee-Based)

January 23, 2024

The success and sustainability of any organization rely on the ability to identify and nurture emerging talent who will lead the company forward. That's why one of the most important tasks for HR managers is spotting and fostering these future leaders within their organization.

To that end, 20 Forbes Human Resources Council members share some proven strategies and techniques to identify, nurture and develop the next generation of leaders. Read on to explore how HR leaders can build a robust leadership pipeline to meet their companies' future needs.

"Huge THANK YOU to #iec2023 and Nan Boland for having us speak at the Iowa Employment Conference today! It was so much fun helping folks become self-aware and living by the Platinum Rule!"

IEC Fall 2023 Speaker Milan Batinich

"Thank you for including me. What an inspiring way to start the day!"

IEC Fall 2023 Panelist Emily Abbas

Employee or Independent Contractor? A Guide to the New Rule

Jessica Looman • January 10, 2024

The Wage and Hour Division is committed to protecting employees’ rights across America. To do so effectively, we must help businesses and workers understand how to differentiate employees from independent contractors who are in business for themselves. 



Today, the Department of Labor published a final rule, Employee or Independent Contractor Classification Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, to provide guidance on whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor under the FLSA. 

The new version of Form I‑9, Employment Eligibility Verification is now available for use. This version contains changes to the form and instructions, including shortening the Form I‑9 to one page and reducing the instructions to eight pages.

What Form I‑9 versions may be used

• Beginning Nov. 1, 2023, only the new Form I‑9 dated "08/01/23” may be used.

READ MORE

Are you an employer or employee who has been affected by an emergency or unforeseen circumstance, such as a natural disaster or national emergency?

Check out our new Emergencies and Unforeseen Circumstances webpage for guidance on Form I-9 and E-Verify if these circumstances arise. 

READ MORE

"I very much enjoyed all of the topics and am happy to say that I used what I learned already in the work field I am in."

"The session was enlightening and educational. It is great to know that different types of career fields are focusing on similar topics to enhance. All of these topics are people focused."

"Very good speakers!"

"I loved the variety of speakers you had from all walks of life and topics."

"I love the topics covered and the people who were on the panel were very insightful!"

IEC Fall 2023 Attendees

Training Requirements and Resources

OSHA provides information on employers' training requirements and offers resources such as free publications, videos, and other assistance to help employers protect workers against injuries and illnesses.

READ MORE

Workplace Stress

Make Work Better - Mental Health Matters

Stress can be harmful to our health and increase mental health challenges. Mental health challenges can include clinical mental illness and substance use disorders as well as other emotions like stress, grief, feeling sad and anxious, where these feelings are temporary and not part of a diagnosable condition. While there are many things in life that induce stress, work can be one of those factors. However, workplaces can also be a key place for resources, solutions, and activities designed to improve our mental health and well-being.



Workplace stress and poor mental health can negatively affect workers through:

• Job performance
• Productivity
• Work engagement and communication
• Physical capability and daily functioning

READ MORE

"Great well-rounded panel and moderator!"

"The moderator was very well-prepared, asked excellent questions, and was engaged with the panelists. This made for a more meaningful session."

"I liked having a panel and the variety in the conversation."

"I loved the panel format."

IEC Fall 2023 Attendees

Laws Enforced by EEOC

READ MORE

Employers

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforces Federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. These laws protect employees and job applicants against employment discrimination when it involves:

• Unfair treatment because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
• Harassment by managers, co-workers, or others in the workplace, because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
• Denial of a reasonable workplace accommodation that the employee needs because of religious beliefs, disability, or pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.
• Retaliation because the employee complained about job discrimination, or assisted with a job discrimination investigation or lawsuit.

READ MORE

"The panelists were inspiring and it was interesting to hear from their different perspectives. I also appreciated the format via moderator guiding the conversation. The moderator did a fantastic job and I appreciated the depth of her questions she was willing to ask rather than go the "safe and superficial" route."

IEC Fall 2023 Attendee

"Thank you for your work in coordinating this great event Nan Boland. Lisa Walston and I had a wonderful time learning at each session." 

IEC Fall 2023 Attendee Josey Van Weelden 

Since 2006, the Iowa Employment Conference has been THE source for classroom instruction covering topics in the areas of employment, training, benefits & wellness education.



The mission of the Iowa Employment Conference is to deliver affordable conferences that provide the opportunity to develop professionally as well as receive continuing education credits through multiple professional associations such as:

• American Payroll Recertification Credit Hours
• American Society of Association Executives CAE Credits
• Continuing Legal Education Credits
• Continuing Professional Education Credits
• Human Resource Certification Institute Credits
• Iowa Licensed Insurance Producers Continuing Education
• Iowa Municipal Finance Officers Association Certification
• Society for Human Resource Management Professional Development Credits

"It was a wonderful day at the Iowa Employment Conference. I enjoyed getting to meet new people and getting to connect with Nan Boland and M. Ramona Wink today! Thank you for a wonderful day of learning!"

IEC Fall 2023 Speaker Molly Mackey

"Had a great time presenting at the Iowa Employment Conference! Nan Boland, Sarah Towns, Sue Kmet and all the other top-notch folks who make this fantastic conference happen - Thank You for allowing me to partner with you again! I'm already looking forward to the Spring conference!"

IEC Fall 2023 Speaker Ramona Wink

"Yeeeeeeee love everything about this conference!!! Great conference Nan Boland!!! Thank you for everything!! Loved being a part of this panel!!! The Ignite Change conference was very empowering and I learned a lot!! Thank you, Nan Boland!!! You and your team are amazing!!!"

IEC Fall 2023 Panelist Will Keeps

"Ready to represent EFR Employee & Family Resources, a proud sponsor of the Iowa Employment Conference."

IEC Fall 2023 Sponsor Renee Neppl

THANK YOU to all 2024 Conference Sponsors!

Sponsor support is integral in continuing the growth, quality & integrity of the continuing education unique to this conference year after year. You are appreciated!

"Thanks for the invite to join such an inspiring group of folks for such a great discussion!"

IEC Fall 2023 Panelist Nola Cartmill 

SPRING 2024 PRESENTING SPONSOR

SPONSORSHIP MAKES A DIFFERENCE FOR DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

HOLMES MURPHY | NOLA CARTMILL

CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER AND LEGAL COUNSEL

January 22, 2024

We’ve all heard about the importance of mentorship, particularly for employees early in their careers and from underrepresented communities. Many organizations have formalized mentorships programs, pairing junior employees with mid-level or senior counterparts to gain a better understanding of their roles and professional journey.

READ MORE

"It was a powerhouse panel! Inspiring and full of great ideas!"



IEC Fall 2023 Panel Moderator Terri Hale

"Buena Vista University's Strategic Partnerships division is honored to help sponsor the 2023 Iowa Employment Conference."

IEC Fall 2023 Sponsor

How many volunteers are in your group?

If you are signing up a group of less than 20 volunteers, click the red REGISTER NOW button below.

If you want to sign up 20+ volunteers, please contact Meals from the Heartland by phone at 515-473-9530 or by email. A short conversation will help us manage our available sign up spots, adequately care for your larger group needs and make room for others in our community who also wish to package meals. Thank you!

PLEASE NOTE: A group of 20 volunteers packaging meals for a 2-hour shift will package 10,000 meals and use approximately $3,000 worth of ingredients. If you are planning to sign up a group this size, please consider making a donation to offset the cost of ingredients used by your team and to pay it forward for others.

ANY AND ALL volunteers and donations are welcome and appreciated!

The Greater Des Moines Partnership produces a variety of events to promote vibrancy in the region, provide resources for business and community leaders, and uplift the expertise of knowledgeable leaders around the region. Event topics range from interactive webinars about how to grow your small business with subject matter professionals, to panel discussions surrounding current pressing public policy legislation, to vibrant Downtown social gatherings and much more.

Stay up-to-date on the latest Partnership events news by subscribing to The Partnership’s newsletters.

The 14 Recipes We Can't Wait to Make This February

ALLRECIPES | Andrea Lobas | February 1, 2024

PHOTO: DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS

February might be the shortest month on the calendar, but that doesn't mean we have less going on.

From Super Bowl parties to Valentine's Day festivities to weeknight dinners, we've got a long list of recipes we are looking forward to whipping up. Plus, we even have an extra Leap Day this year to make these favorite late winter dishes.

But even still, there's no time to waste, so let's get to it!!

Wow, winter is going fast! We want to remind our readership that registration continues for the two-day employment conference happening in April. This is the last month to take advantage of the early bird discount, so be sure to register yourself and co-workers soon. Don't forget to pass the conference information along to your management teams who will benefit greatly from this year's topics!

The spring conference will feature 2 dynamic keynote speakers with inspiring stories to tell, 43+ breakout learning sessions with some familiar and many new speakers, PLUS a special session at the end of day two.

The conference team is truly excited to bring you the latest HR and other important employment topics in an engaging and informative environment. Be on the lookout for our speaker spotlights rolling out on social media.

Our team is energized and ready to welcome you to the biggest conference yet, where you'll have the opportunity to network with like-minded professionals and participate in the new networking BINGO. Attendees can take advantage of the many sponsor networking opportunities as well as FANTASTIC prizes!

Join us in shaking off the winter weather blues to be of service to someone in need, spread positivity in your workplace and make the strategic move in your career by registering now for a fabulous spring conference experience!

Nan and the Conference Team