Providing resources, research, and reflections on human-centered organizational design for thriving workplaces. From the people at WorkShouldntSuck.co // This edition by Tim Cynova.
Did you end up here because your fantastic friend shared this with you?
Coming Soon: A Hiring Course!
What have I been wondering recently? How the hell did I end up with a home production studio, a 105-page script, and 60 videos to film and edit? The answer: I wanted to create an online, largely asynchronous, course about hiring… and it kinda snowballed from there.
The course is scheduled for release in early March — pending me finishing the video editing — and is based on the in-person workshops that I’ve had the pleasure of teaching and workshopping at the Banff Centre, The New School, and in own Work Shouldn’t Suck Bootcamps. Stay tuned!
What’s new in my queue
I was recently introduced to the work of Enspiral, a collective of individuals practicing a new way of organizing. This led me to add a few new books to my queue, including their Better Work Together: How the power of community can transform your business. It’s described as “stories and tools from the front lines of the future of working together.” This dive then took me to the Greaterthan, “a place for those who dare to seek new organizing structures and cultures that contribute to healthy systems for all.” And another book, Lead Together: The Bold, Brave, Intentional Path to Scaling Your Business. And with that, my queue is getting fairly full.
What have I been wondering lately?
Someone recently asked me about “Restorative HR.” While I’m familiar with restorative justice, restorative *HR* is a new concept to me. I’ve only just begun a literature review to dig into related materials. Restorative HR Practices: A Toolkit is referenced in a number of places. And, I found this article in Forbes about restorative HR. Other than that, I’m not finding a lot of information out there. Do you know of anything? Please share in the comments section, and I’ll circulate a recap in a future newsletter. Thanks!
Letters Over Email
In a meeting last Friday, a colleague remarked, “I receive countless emails all day. You know what I don’t receive? Letters in the mail. I’d love to receive a letter instead another email.” This comment has been on my mind since. How can we craft workplaces with more letters — in whatever form that takes — and fewer emails? It also reminded me of this piece that I wrote about my mom on what would’ve been her 68th birthday. Today would’ve been my mom’s 72nd birthday. In her memory, I’m re-sharing that piece about finding meaning and purpose in one’s work and life, and how my mom saw sending greeting cards as part of her personal purpose in life.
Executive Orders & The Workplace
A few of the executive orders issued in the first few days of the Biden-Harris administration directly impact the workplace. “On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government” revokes EO13950 that since November 21 has prohibited federal contractors from engaging in specific diversity and inclusion trainings. The administration has signaled that this is one part of what will be a broader racial equity approach. And “Executive Order on Protecting Worker Health and Safety” directs OSHA to consider whether they should issue any emergency temporary standards on COVID. These emergency standards will likely revise guidance to employers on workplace safety requirements and OSHA enforcement efforts during the pandemic. With both of these executive orders, we can expect more in the coming days ahead, I’m certain.
Puppy pic, you know, just because.
Thanks for coming along on this adventure! Discover more about organizational journeys in anti-racism, shared leadership models, and entirely virtual workplaces on Work. Shouldn't. Suck.
Thank you! I love your upbeat approach... it really made my day! Stay Strong, Stay Safe! -Dawn