Human Resources professionals are talking a lot about talent these days.  The focus of most of the conversations they’re having is on finding new, better talent for their respective companies and making sure those new hires stay for a long time.  In this week’s HR News Beat, many of the top HR-related headlines are about finding new workers including some real discussions about pay.

HR News

NYT:  Should You Tell the World How Much Money You Make?

Talking about pay for many workers is taboo, but according to the New York Times, there appears to be a shift in the conversation, moving the topic out of the “that’s none of your business” column to the “transparency” column.  According to the article, this is largely being fueled by a few drivers.

1. Unemployment is at a five-decade low.
2. The gig economy, more-or-less, requires people to compare salaries. This way, gig workers can make sure they are charging for their services accordingly.
3. People feel more comfortable discussing their pay rates.

This information allows for workers to lobby for better pay.  It is suggested by the article that, while there is no law stopping workers from discussing how much they make, employers prefer employees stay mum on the topic because the information invites poor morale, and because there is a suggested desire that companies want to keep employee salaries low.  Read more here.

20% salary increase expected when changing jobs in Hong Kong

There appears to be little effect on pay rates in Hong Kong when it comes to economic uncertainty around the world.  Human Resources Online sites a new KPMG report on salary trends.  According to the article, employees changing jobs in Hong Kong see a 20% increase in pay on average when changing jobs.  This is being driven by tax incentives that encourage “Hong Kong professionals – especially high-income individuals – to seek opportunities in China and the so-called Greater Bay Area.”  To read the full article, click here.

Bank of America employees see pay raises

Bank of America has made good on its promise to increase pay for the company’s lowest paid workers.  CNBC reports BoA “hiked its minimum wage to $17 an hour starting May 1, and that move is reflected in workers’ paychecks this week.”  Pay will continue to increase for these workers over the next two years to an amount of $20 an hour.  Rival bank J.P. Morgan Chase says it is raising its hourly minimum wage to $18 an hour.

HR Exchange Network announces 2^nd edition of HR Tech Online Summit North America

Like space itself, HR technology is vast.  It continues to grow in size with new innovations, and also in value.  The global tech industry soared past $400 billion in worth.  At the same time, HR continues its quest to become a strategic partner to the business.  To help educate HR professionals on the latest technology trends and provide a helpful guide to the ongoing digital transformation, the HR Exchange Network is proud to offer its premier online event for the second year in a row, HR Tech Online Summit North America!

The free-to-attend online event is scheduled for June 11-12, 2019.  Key themes include:

• Creating an HR department more strategy-focused and less transactional with automation and RPA
• How to integrate AI into your overall strategy to remain agile, relevant and competitive
• Effectively using recruitment technologies to find the best talent available for your organization to sustain business growth and survival
• Becoming proficient at understanding and using data through effective application of people analytics
• Consolidating your employee experience strategy to increase engagement, development and retention
• Leveraging video, social media, gamification and microlearning to increase employee

“HR Professionals need and want to implement HR tech within their organizations. However, it’s easier said than done,” HR Exchange Director Rose Morishita said. “Our goal is to help the HR community to become more analytical and get ready  for the future of work.”

This year’s speaking faculty includes some new faces and some familiar ones.

1. Robert Lanning is the director of HRIS and People Analytics for Silicon Valley Bank. His presentation will focus on the power of people analytics and the importance of data to the HR professional.
2. Vishal Bhalla is the Chief Experience Officer for Parkland Health and Hospital System. He’ll speak about how his company is using technology to cultivate a culture-based rewards and recognition program.
3. Paul Baldassari is the executive vice president of Strategic Programs and Asset Management for Flex. This is his second year as a speaker for the HR Tech Online Summit.  He’ll be speaking about artificial intelligence as part of the HR function.
4. Ekta Vyas is the Director of Human Resources for Stanford Children’s Health. She will present a great success story with using technology for employer branding.  In addition to speaking, Dr. Vyas will also join our panel on the digital transformation
5. Eric Torigian will join our event for the first time this year. The VP & Assistant General Manager of Global HR for Akebono Brake USA will serve alongside Dr. Ekta Vyas on this year’s panel.

This free-to-attend event allows attendees to dial in from the comfort of their desks and listen to HR leaders live or on demand. The HR Tech Online Summit North America is the place to find the latest headlines, tips, and trades on traveling this digital road.

Register for FREE here.