Lately, it seems hiring is all the buzz. And it’s not just talks about who is hiring, but scrutiny on changes to the hiring process. From updates from the White House on how to screen out domestic terrorism, to discussions on reducing bias in hiring, the hiring process is clearly in the hot seat. The scrutiny comes with an uptick in hiring needs across the country as companies reopen – often without workers to fill their now open positions.
Unlike many industries trying to figure out how to ramp-up, the defense industry – thanks in large part to congressional protections – never had to ramp down. Awards have gone out daily, missions have continued, and the defense industry didn’t experience the same drawdowns. That doesn’t mean it’s unaffected. Recruiting continues to be heavy for some states, as well as some industries. A recent Business Roundtable event brought together leaders from different industries to discuss the projections and concerns ahead. Raytheon CEO Greg Hayes expressed concern over inflation for raw materials, but noted that their organization has not experienced any shortage of skilled workers – despite the increased demand.
Layoffs Impacting the Cleared Industry
| Alaska |
First Minnesota, and now Alaska. When government can’t pass a budget, the first to feel the threat are government employees. About 15,000 Alaska state employees received layoff notices this past week. As politics determine the components of the budget, employees wait in the wings, knowing that if the budget drags on too long, shutdown begins July 1. State employees will face temporary layoffs, and services will be impacted. “There’s still hope that we can get some things fixed. Unfortunately, by law, layoff notices have to be sent out by 4 p.m. today, and they’ve been sent out notifying folks that have the potential for layoff is real,” Gov. Mike Dunleavy said.
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Hiring impacting the Cleared Industry
| FBI | The FBI is hiring in Houston, TX. The Houston field office is hosting a Diversity Agent Recruiting (DAR) virtual information session on June 22, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The DAR event is invitation-only and geared towards individuals with diverse ethnic, educational, and professional background experiences who are interested in becoming FBI special agents. Interested applicants should be a U.S. citizen, between the ages of 23 and 36, and have a bachelor’s degree from a U.S.-accredited college or university, plus two years of professional experience. In order to apply, follow the instructions on www.fbijobs.gov/. |
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Cleared Employer at Work: Accenture
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Opportunity to Watch
After a year of remote work, Microsoft has adjusted to a hybrid model this past spring, allowing some employees on-site with others working remotely. However, Microsoft didn’t just locations without some planning and foresight. As the federal government and other companies have been open to the lessons learned, Microsoft has shared what has worked for them.
“Hybrid work represents the biggest shift to how we work in our generation. And it will require a new operating model, spanning people, places, and processes,” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella wrote in a LinkedIn post. Microsoft also published a guide that details their remote work strategy, and provides an example for others in the industry to follow.
Microsoft has focused on employee wellbeing. Nadella says, “Managers now need to think about the wellness of the people they work with as a first-class priority, and then do everything they can to think about productivity in a broad sense instead of just as short-term output.” So whether that’s encouraging breaks or understanding how their personal and professional life is connected and ways to help, the wellness mindset is helpful whether employees are remote or in the office.
Microsoft has, of course, also used technology to increase the ease of hybrid work. Conference rooms have had Teams Rooms added, in order to foster collaboration from remote and on-site employees at the same time. Increased device management with the cloud and bolstering security are also key focus areas for Microsoft.
Of course, this past year has introduced new housing markets, changing where talent is normally located. It’s important to adjust recruiting to reflect where the talent has moved.
