March 2022 | 21st EDITION NEWSLETTER
WHAT'S NEW(S)?
Screw ‘Just Checking In’—This is What We Really Need to Cure Burnout
Fast Company | Kelly D. Parker | Feb. 26, 2022
 
Kelly D. Parker unpacks what leaders need to do to build community and boost engagement to combat team burnout.
It’s not just you. Science explains how your focus is more scattered now and how to get it back.
Several years ago, I realized a startling truth: I was officially burned out.
“How are you?” my boss asked. 
It was a question she asked every morning, likely out of habit more than anything else, since she rarely looked up from her keyboard when she said it. 
Equip New Managers for 5 Common Challenges
HR Today | Lauren Parkhill | February 09, 2022
 
With employee resignation still a looming challenge to HR and business leaders, accelerating into staffing and retention mode is of primary importance. Many organizations are likely hiring new managers or appointing new managers from within.
With their new responsibilities and roles, newly appointed managers will need support along the way to help them reach their full potential. Here are a few of the most common challenges we've seen and suggestions for how HR and L&D pros can equip new managers to overcome them.
Want Workers Back in the Office? 3 Ways to Make Your Space Worth the Commute
Employee Benefit News | Stephanie Schomer | February 15, 2022
 
Why should we go back to the office?
This is a question Neil Schneider has been tasked with answering. The Chicago-based design director and principal at IA Interior Architects, a firm that specializes in workspaces, is finding new ways to inspire employees to gather in person. 
How to Help Workers Stop Overworking from Home
HR Brew | Sam Blum | February 16, 2022
 
Surveys have shown that remote workers often work longer hours than they did pre-pandemic. Here’s how you can stop them from overworking.
Whether you’re working from the relatively tranquil confines of a sunny home office, or wrangling your toddler in-between Zoom meetings, working from home can often make the days feel longer.
Study Finds Flexibility is the Key to Improving Employee Mental Health
HR Morning | Rachel Mucha | February 18, 2022
 
Throughout the pandemic, employers have heard a lot about the importance of employees’ mental health. But even with things heading in a positive direction on the COVID-19 front, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to worry about mental health anymore. In fact, a recent survey from Qualtrics shows that employees’ mental health issues are persisting — and work is the culprit.
Employees Quit: How to Make the Difficult Situation Better
HR Morning | Michele McGovern | February 22, 2022
 
Employees quit at an alarming rate nowadays. But turnover doesn’t have to be all gloom and doom in the HR world.
The hard fact: The national quit rate is at about 3%, which is in line with an all-time high, according to the U.S. Labor Department. The easier truth: You – and your front-line managers – can turn a difficult quitting situation into a force for good.
10 Ways Human Resources Will Change in 2022
Business News Daily | Skye Schooley | Dec 20, 2021
 
As companies manage their workforce in a post-pandemic era, here are 10 ways HR experts expect human resources departments to change.
With the new working environment many businesses are operating in, there are a number of key trends businesses should be focused on heading into 2021.
Employers should expect and increased demand for modified employee benefits like health and wellness programs and flexible work arrangements in the coming year.
'More Aggressive' EEOC Likely to Sue More Employers in 2022
Law.com |Trudy Knockless | January 28, 2022
 
The Biden administration reversed policies adopted by the Trump administration.
Under Biden, the EEOC is likely to be more litigious.
In the latest fiscal year, the EEOC filed 114 lawsuits.
Discrimination cases filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against employers are expected to increase sharply in 2022 as the agency becomes more aggressive, a report released by Chicago-based law firm Seyfarth Shaw found.
Statement on the Status of the
OSHA COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing ETS
January 25, 2022

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is withdrawing the vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard issued on Nov. 5, 2021, to protect unvaccinated employees of large employers with 100 or more employees from workplace exposure to coronavirus. The withdrawal is effective January 26, 2022.
Although OSHA is withdrawing the vaccination and testing ETS as an enforceable emergency temporary standard, the agency is not withdrawing the ETS as a proposed rule. The agency is prioritizing its resources to focus on finalizing a permanent COVID-19 Healthcare Standard.
OSHA strongly encourages vaccination of workers against the continuing dangers posed by COVID-19 in the workplace.
 
Family and Medical Leave Act
 
The FMLA entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons with continuation of group health insurance coverage under the same terms and conditions as if the employee had not taken leave.
 
AN ARTICLE FROM ONE OF THE KEYNOTE SPEAKERS AT THE MISSOURI EMPLOYMENT CONFERENCE - RALPH MASON
Form I‑9 Guidance for H‑2B Workers Seeking to Change Employers
 
On Jan. 28, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor published a joint temporary final rule (87 FR 4722) in the Federal Register to increase the numerical limits on FY2022 H‑2B nonimmigrant visas and temporarily provide portability flexibility for H‑2B workers already in the U.S. to begin work immediately with a new employer after an H‑2B petition (supported by a valid temporary labor certification (TLC)) is received by USCIS and before it is approved.
 
HAVE YOU HEARD?!
A WORD FROM OUR SPONSORS
A special THANK YOU to all of the Conference Sponsors! Your support of the conference is integral in continuing the growth, quality & integrity of the continuing education unique to this conference year after year. You are appreciated!
Still thinking about partnering with the Missouri Employment Conference to reach hundreds of attendees?

CONFERENCE ON THE BRAIN
MEC was here for you during the height of the pandemic with the virtual conference & MEC is here for you NOW in a safety first, in-person format! We are thrilled to finally be seeing your smiling faces at the Spring 2022 Conference!
REGISTRATION FOR SPRING 2022 IS NOW OPEN
for higher education at Missouri's Premiere Employment Law, Training & Development, Benefits and Mental Wellness Conference.

WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU IN PERSON!
The MEC article library is growing monthly with valuable information relevant to the ever-changing work environment. Check the website frequently for updates. If you have something important for our readers to benefit from, reach out to us to be included in the next newsletter or article library!
Earn Continuing Education Credits!
Sharpen Your Knowledge!
Network With Professionals!
Motivate Your Team!
Meet Vendors!
No need to be certified to attend the conference.
If you have a desire to learn, improve, network or motivate yourself or your team, you will find great value in attending the conference!
(H)EROES (R)ECOGNIZED
Do you know someone in your HR department (or company-wide) who deserves to be recognized for making a positive impact in your company from day to day??
 
Whether personal or professional, in a big or a small way, we all know those people who go above & beyond for the greater good.
 
We want to help these everyday (H)eroes be (R)ecognized! Send your nominations to us & one deserving person each month leading up to the current conference will be selected to receive a free conference registration + a $50 VISA gift card! We will announce the winner in the following month's newsletters.
THE YUM FACTOR
The Most Popular Taste of Home Recipes in March
Taste of Home | Caroline Stanko | Jan. 05, 2022
 
See what recipes were the most liked, shared and made during March by Taste of Home readers, like you!
NOTES FROM NAN & SUE
CONFERENCE TIME

We can’t help but believe that Spring is almost here! We are so excited because with Spring comes the conference! While we do spend the entire year planning and organizing, the last few months are always the most exciting. That’s when all the fun details start to come together.

Speaking of the Missouri Employment Conference, we have a fun surprise...

We are thrilled to have Bukaty Companies as our Titanium Sponsor for MEC 2022 AND they are treating us to a SUNSET BOAT CRUISE on Thursday evening! How exciting is that?! The best Conference yet, 27 speakers, 2 days of learning AND a Sunset Cruise on beautiful Lake of the Ozarks! Stay tuned for more details to follow! Special Thanks to Bukaty Companies for providing us this opportunity.

Another exciting bonus this year is the addition of a Certification Class for “Supervisor Reasonable Suspension Recognition Training”.  This training is mandatory for those organizations who must be DOT compliant. Also, training is highly recommended for any organization that conducts reasonable suspicion testing and wants to be compliant with their drug testing policy.  Since this is an official Certification training session, there is a supplemental cost associated with the class. BUT, through our partnership with tomo Drug Testing, we are offering the class to our conference attendees at the discounted rate of $50/person, 50% off the regular $99.00 rate.   What a great opportunity to have your supervisors or managers certified!

As always, we are working hard behind the scenes to bring you the best and most affordable employment conference in 2022. We hope to see you there.

Life is better on a boat!

Nan and Sue