December 3, 2024
Hello 🌟
I hope you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving break, and that you were able to savor good food and good company. Thanksgiving is a favorite American holiday because it primes us to focus on the positives, on the things in our lives that we can be grateful for. I find that mindset to be so productive in closing out the current year, and prepping for the new year ahead.
2024 Wrap Up and 2025 Look Ahead
At KMA, we’ve been busy helping our clients with their end of year best practices, including reviewing compliance and legal updates, conducting benefits reviews, performance management and goal setting, strategic workforce planning, and employee appreciation initiatives, among other activities. This article lists 10 key areas of focus for HR professionals to end the year with confidence that all the countless to-dos have been taken care of.
Looking ahead to 2025, we’re anticipating several trends that will shape our workplace, including flexible work arrangements, a commitment to employee wellness, AI and automation transforming how we work, shifting DEI priorities, and the challenges of complying with state and federal labor legislation changes. Again, we have resources for you! This article addresses the major trends we’re watching, and how the KMA team can support your organization in building a resilient and adaptable workplace.
Specifically on the recruiting front, 2024 has been a year of transformation. As companies navigated economic uncertainties, shifts in workforce expectations, and technological advancements, several trends played out. In this article, Debbie Pearl reviews key developments from 2024, and offers her insights into 2025.
Ready for PFMLA? All Maine Businesses Are Impacted
Addressing the elephant in the room: Maine’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA), and what actions employers in Maine need to take now to be in compliance come January. We interviewed Leora Kirk for answers to the essential questions our clients are asking about employer contributions, eligibility requirements, communication guidelines, and compliance strategies. Check out the conversation here for the latest updates, and find links to other helpful internal and external resources.
In a LinkedIn poll last month, we asked how employers plan to handle the PFMLA payroll deductions, and a surprising 17% of respondents answered they are undecided. Here is the breakdown:
If you’re still in need of guidance on how to adapt and prepare for Maine’s PFMLA, please reach out to us today.
Light at the End of the Tunnel
As we wrap up another year, the entire team at KMA is grateful for the trust and collaboration of our clients and partners, and proud of all the hard work we have accomplished together. The months ahead will bring new opportunities, and we are here to support you through every challenge and success.
In the Northern Hemisphere, we’re heading toward the winter solstice and the shortest days of the year, but by the end of the month, we’ll start tilting into the sun, and little by little, the days will start to lengthen again. In the meantime, I’ll share my strategies for winter: build roaring fires; hang twinkling lights; burn lots of candles; treat yourself to red wine and herbal popcorn (or your indulgence of choice); stay active; and get outside as much as you can.
On that note, I wish you and yours a happy, healthy holiday season, and the capacity to start the new year energized and refreshed. Here’s to continued growth and partnership in 2025!
Cheers,
Kim Anania
President and CEO
KMA Human Resource Consulting