😎 PTO Without the Uh-Oh, 100 AI Prompts for Efficiency + Survey Template - Aug 1, 2025

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Hey, People leaders! 👋 PTO season's in full swing—and so is International Beer Day. While some sip lagers on leave, HR's holding the fort. Here’s how to keep things cool, covered, and chaos-free.

On today’s agenda:

😎 PTO Without the Uh-Oh

✨100 ChatGPT prompts for efficiency

🩺 Pulse check survey [template]

🕵️‍♂️ Wage watchdogs on the move

THE HR SPOTLIGHT

😎 OOO, But Not Out of Sync: PTO Without the Uh-Oh

Summer PTO season is in full swing—and while your people are recharging, the real stress can land on those still at their desks. HR pros and managers, this one’s for you: Let’s make vacation coverage smoother than an SPF 50 application.

🌪️ The situation: Everyone’s OOO, and it’s getting dicey.

When multiple teammates take leave, the risk of dropped balls, burnout, and inbox avalanches increases. When workers cover for others while they’re away, stress rises—which can lead to disengagement and poor output. 

Without structure, PTO-heavy weeks can snowball into “Please, Time Overload.”

✅ What HR can do: Calm the chaos. Here’s your mini survival checklist for PTO coverage…

1. Set Clear Roles: Assign temporary owners for critical tasks.

2. Use a Shared Coverage Doc: Google Sheets > mental notes.

3. Craft Killer OOO Messages:
   Example: “I'm currently OOO until Aug 10, doing absolutely no emailing. For urgent stuff, reach out to [backup name + email].”

4. Reward the Fill-Ins: A simple “thank you” or extra PTO days for coverage champs goes a long way.

5. Check the Mood: Encourage micro-breaks and stress check-ins for those holding down the fort.

Pro tip: Structuring team time-off calendars aren’t micromanaging—they’re your summer superpower.

👀 Explore how to motivate for productivity to balance vacation coverage better.

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🏆 TPx Named Top U.S. Employer - TPx

• What’s unfolding: TPx, a business communications provider, has been named a Top Employer in the U.S. for 2025. The award reflects positive employee feedback and high scores in HR best practices.

• Why it matters: Recognition like this doesn’t just boost employer branding—it attracts top talent. HR teams should review what’s working at companies like TPx. Even if you're not chasing trophies, replicating award-worthy strategies can improve retention and engagement.

• What’s unfolding: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its 2025 injury rate report, and once again, jobs in transportation and warehousing top the list for most workplace injuries. The data paints a clear picture of high-risk sectors needing stronger protections.

• Why it matters: HR leaders in physical work environments must rethink safety training and invest in proactive injury prevention programs. For remote teams, ergonomic setups and mental health also factor into a safer workplace.

• What’s unfolding: A recent survey finds that 68％ of employees hold back on their opinions to prevent conflicts, fearing drama, retaliation, or worsening the issue. Silence is the new stressor.

• Why it matters: Unspoken conflict drains productivity and team cohesion. HR can train managers to spot quiet tension and create psychologically safe spaces for feedback. Normalize conflict resolution as a growth tool—not a blame game.

COMPLIANCE CORNER

• What’s unfolding: The U.S. Department of Labor is increasing enforcement and penalties for child labor violations, citing a sharp rise in illegal underage employment across several industries.

• HR implications: HR leaders must rigorously audit hiring practices, especially for franchisees and subcontractors, to ensure compliance. Noncompliance now carries greater legal and reputational risks—don't let poor vetting land you in headlines.

• What’s unfolding: Harvard has been ordered to turn over I-9 records for 19,000 employees amid a broader DHS investigation into work authorization and compliance among top institutions.

• HR implications: It’s time for a self-audit—ensure your I-9s are accurate, current, and securely stored. Federal scrutiny is expanding, and even elite employers aren’t immune.

• What’s unfolding: Multnomah County is using trained volunteers to monitor public construction sites for prevailing wage violations, adding grassroots oversight to wage enforcement.

• HR implications: If your organization works with contractors on public projects, stay vigilant on wage compliance. Missteps in classification or documentation could trigger audits—or get flagged by civilian watchdogs.

WEEKLY GOODY

🩺 Pulse Check, No Guesswork: Employee Engagement Survey Template

Want real insights into how your people actually feel? A solid employee engagement survey helps you go beyond vague vibes and get actionable data on morale, motivation, and retention risks.

The right template saves time, asks the right questions, and helps HR spot trends before they become turnover. Whether you're gauging satisfaction, culture fit, or manager effectiveness—consistency is key.

Ready to ask better questions and get honest answers?

BREAKROOM

📬 Missed Wednesday’s issue on ‘Work Tribe Vibes’? Read it »