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Hey, HR Aces! 🌟 Memorial Day's coming — a long weekend to recharge, yes, but also a time to reflect. In HR, we know recognition shouldn't be once a year. Let's go Beyond the Long Weekend and build cultures that honor hard work!

On today’s agenda:

🌹 Pre & post Memorial Day recognition

💁 Your employee handbook template

🧠 Most employers flunk skills checks…

🔀 Strategies to guide teams through transitions

👇 Read on…

THE HR SPOTLIGHT

Beyond the Long Weekend: Recognition Ideas for Before and After Memorial Day 🌹

The Situation: Time Off ≠ Time to Tune Out

Memorial Day is more than burgers and beach days — it’s a time to honor those who served. But too often, recognition stops at the out-of-office reply. HR leaders have a real opportunity to go beyond the long weekend and create year-round appreciation strategies.

Only 1 in 3 employees say they feel recognized at work, according to Gallup. Recognition isn’t just nice — it drives engagement, retention, and yes, even productivity.

What HR Can Do: Recognition With Purpose

Pre-Weekend Ideas:

• Share a spotlight story on veteran employees or family members in your company newsletter.

• Host a lunch-and-learn featuring local veterans or speakers from orgs like Team RWB.

Post-Holiday (Tuesday-Boost):

• Send a thank-you note to all employees with a nod to service — military and workplace alike.

• Roll out a micro-recognition campaign using platforms like Bonusly or a simple Slack shoutout wall.

💡 Pro tip: Tie it all to your bigger culture goals. Recognition is free, forgetting isn’t. Remember it’s not just another Monday off — make it meaningful! 

Dive into the Employer’s Guide to Memorial Day and turn your OOO into OMG-they-care »

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• What’s unfolding: A new HR Dive survey shows that hiring and HR budgets are facing pressure in 2025. More HR pros expect flat or reduced funding — while workloads keep rising.

• Why it matters: Less budget, more burnout. To stay ahead you could automate admin where you can (think: onboarding, payroll), upskill internal talent instead of hiring, and double down on internal mobility to reduce turnover costs.

• What’s unfolding: A recent report reveals job insecurity is a major source of stress in the U.S. workforce — especially for younger workers and those in unstable industries.

• Why it matters: Stressed teams don’t perform well. HR can step in by communicating transparently about org changes, promoting EAPs and mental health days, and training managers to check in, not just check boxes.

• What’s unfolding: Mindr is reaffirming its commitment to hiring veterans and military families, highlighting inclusive practices that honor service ahead of Memorial Day: tailored recruiting programs, internal support groups, and more.

• Why it matters: Hiring veterans isn’t just a feel-good move — it’s smart business. Veterans bring leadership, resilience, and mission focus. HR leaders can audit job descriptions for military-friendly language, partner with orgs like Hiring Our Heroes, and celebrate vets internally year-round — not just in May

TREND WATCH

🧠 Skill Check: Most Employers Flunk the Test

Digesting the data: According to a new Aptitude Research study covered by HR Dive, only 1 in 5 companies feel confident in how they validate skills during hiring. Despite the growing buzz around skills-based hiring, most employers are still relying on résumés and educational credentials over actual skill assessments. 

Even worse? Many aren’t using consistent or data-backed tools to evaluate what candidates can actually do. The result: missed talent, bias-filled decisions, and frustrated hiring teams.

Outlook for HR: HR pros can’t afford to let guesswork guide hiring anymore. With roles evolving faster than job titles, skill validation is becoming mission-critical—not just a “nice to have.” To stay competitive and inclusive, HR leaders should:

• Adopt structured, scalable skill assessments

• Ditch degree bias in favor of capability

• Partner with hiring managers to align on real job requirements

🔎 Get your skills strategy together — before your best hires go elsewhere. See the full Aptitude Report »

COMPLIANCE CORNER

• What’s unfolding: The Department of Labor's 2024 rule to raise the salary threshold for exempt employees faced legal challenges, leading to a stay in litigation. The 5th Circuit Court granted a 120-day pause, leaving employers in a state of uncertainty.

• HR implications: HR professionals should review current employee classifications to ensure compliance. Prepare for potential adjustments if the DOL revisits the rule and communicate transparently with employees about possible changes.

• What’s unfolding: A new Executive Order directs federal agencies to deprioritize enforcement of “disparate impact” discrimination — shifting the focus to intentional bias cases.

• HR implications: This could lead to regulatory shifts in DEI strategy and hiring practices. Review current risk exposure and consult legal teams to stay compliant as enforcement norms evolve.

• What’s unfolding: Arkansas passed a new law reforming Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), increasing transparency in prescription pricing for employer-sponsored plans.

• HR implications: If you manage benefits in or around Arkansas, update your PBM contracts and educate employees on changes. This reform may influence other states — stay alert.

HR WISDOM

Navigating Change: Strategies to Guide Your Team Through Transitions

Change in the workplace can be challenging, but with the right strategies, it becomes an time for growth. Learn practical approaches to implement change effectively while keeping your team engaged and productive.

Insights you’ll gain:

• Establish clear communication

• Invest in training

• Provide accessible resources

• Understand employee purpose

🔗 Explore simple but effective Change Management Strategies »

WEEKLY GOODY

An Employee Handbook [TEMPLATE]

Writing an employee handbook from scratch can be a daunting and monumental task — but this complimentary template we’re giving away this week below lays down the groundwork. All you have to do is customize it according your needs and company policies.

BREAKROOM

📬 Missed Wednesday’s ‘PTO Season’ issue? Read it.