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What I’ve Been Reading This Week


One of the more thought provoking articles I read this week dealt with how some employers are managing their summer internship program this year, in light of the coronavirus.  While every workplace is different and no two internship programs are the same, I think the below article has a few good suggestions that might be worth implementing.

As always, below are a couple articles that caught my eye this week.


Summer Interns in the Age of Work From Home Offices

The Wall Street Journal published a recent article in which it examined how many employers are incorporating summer interns into their work from home setups.  With many employers still utilizing some sort of remote work arrangement for their employees, it can be tougher to effectively integrate summer interns.  However, the article notes that may employers have taken steps to “normalize” things over the summer months for their interns, including:  1) scheduling virtual coffee meetings with interns and senior employees; 2) assigning interns an employee to mentor them and help with onboarding; 3) arranging for interns to sit in on virtual office meetings; 4) holding virtual work trivia events to help the interns get to know their fellow interns, employees and employer better; and 5) moving leadership seminars online.  While each employer that has interns this summer is likely adapting their internship program to coincide with the change in the workplace, this article has a few suggestions that might be worth incorporating.


As Whole Foods Ends Hazard Pay, Criticism Mounts

Not long after the coronavirus pandemic started take hold in the U.S., Whole Foods began to offer its employees (temporary) $2/hour hazard pay.  The company indicated it was offering this hazard pay to its employees in recognition of their work, while many cities and states were locked down.  However, when that $2/hour hazard pay ended this past Monday, a chorus of criticism started.  As The Philadelphia Inquirer writes, employees have pointed out that the coronavirus threat still exists, without a cure, and they are still at risk of being exposed to it at the workplace.  Their argument follows that the whole reason for the hazard pay being implemented still exists and therefore Whole Foods should not have ended it.  However, at this time, it does not appear that the hazard pay will be reimplemented at Whole Foods.  Perhaps there will be additional sick outs or strikes by the these workers in protest.  Will it work?  Stay tuned.

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