Moving Racial Equity from Lip Service to Action

During Black History Month, many employers publicly assert their commitment to racial equity. And yet too many leaders are failing to shift mindsets and implement the policy and practice changes necessary to transform racist systems. Without action, corporate REI statements…

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Bridging the Racial Wealth Gap with Financial Wellness

January is Financial Wellness Month, and employers can play a role January is Financial Wellness Month. Many people are inspired at this time of year to get their personal and professional lives in order, including their finances. Financial wellness is…

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There’s No Such Thing as a “Low-Skill Worker”

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, frontline workers were deemed “essential” and hailed as heroes. After all, they were risking their personal health — and the health of members of their household — to keep our society running. After…

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How to Build Better Jobs

Using organizational research, job quality outcome maps guide smarter business decisions Today’s labor market is tricky to navigate for many employers. Despite healthy job growth from month to month, people are still quitting their jobs at record levels, and many…

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Year-End Message from Amanda Cage

‘Tis the season for reflection. This is my second year-end message as CEO of the National Fund, and I am again struck by what a strange time it has been to take the helm of a national organization. My first…

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Reflecting on 2021

In another year of uncertainty, we remained focused on our priorities. Here are 10 highlights from 2021. 10+  Words of the Workforce A coalition of more than 10 workforce and economic mobility organizations formed an innovative partnership to create a…

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Good Jobs Should Be the Standard, Not a Seasonal Perk

The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the busiest time of year for retail workers. Big box retailers and department stores are rethinking their seasonal hiring approach in light of the compounding issues of COVID risks, supply…

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Reintroducing Our Job Design Framework

Equity and voice must be part of the job quality strategy — our new framework has both   How do you design a good job? Most people don’t think about that question very often, if at all — even business…

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To Advance Worker Voice, We Must Start from Shared Understanding

How we developed our definition of “worker voice”   The coronavirus pandemic has sparked a realignment of the U.S. economy. Between the scramble for child care and the need to manage remote schooling, women’s labor force participation rate is the…

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Our 2021 Apprenticeship Week Round-Up

Celebrating the Success and Opportunity of Apprenticeships Apprenticeships are a powerful, win-win solution for employers and employees. The National Fund’s regional workforce collaboratives are partnering with employers in communities across the country to build strong apprenticeship models in traditional industries,…

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