It's no secret that company culture is important for retaining good employees. The COVID-19 pandemic has also put a large amount of stress on working parents, causing many to leave their jobs to take care of their kids who are schooling from home. According to new research from the Census Bureau, one fifth of working adults, mostly mothers, have chosen unemployment because the virus affected their available childcare choices. 

If you're wondering why an employee would quit your company, read on to learn how you can help them stay.

There's no question that your employees are under stress at the moment. With concerns about job security, sending the kids back to school, an economic recession and a raging global pandemic, the last thing they may be thinking about is their own mental health. As an employer, it may be up to you to consider the effects of stress on your team and how your workplace can help. 

Here are ways that leadership and human resources can address workplace mental health concerns during COVID-19.

As more businesses are responding to the Black Lives Matter movement, their customers and employees are demanding more than supportive social media posts. According to a recent AdWeek survey, Gen Z and Millennials in particular expect actionable changes such as reviewing hiring policies and more diversity in management. Many employers are listening and making stronger commitments to diversity and inclusion (D & I).

HR managers can help with D & I policies and other actions to reduce hiring bias. Here are four other best practices to increase diversity hiring.

More employees are worried about workplace retaliation due to the COVID-19 and BLM protests across the country. Some are concerned with losing their jobs in their reluctance to return to an unsafe workplace. Others are worried that speaking out about racism could cause discrimination and workplace bullying. Employers are wise to understand how to protect employees and provide resources if workplace retaliation is suspected. 

With heightened awareness of discrimination due to COVID-19 or the Black Lives Matter protests, employers need to know how to protect employees from workplace retaliation.

In 2018, the Human Rights Campaign reported that nearly 50% of LGBTQ workers remain in the closet at their place of employment. The report revealed that these workers are told to dress more masculine or feminine or have heard others tell offensive jokes about being gay or lesbian.  They're afraid to come out because they don't feel that they would be supported, they would face discrimination and it would ruin relationships with their co-workers. These fears lead to feelings of depression, exhaustion or the inability to focus on their jobs. While there is legislation to protect LGTBQ employees, employers can create a more inclusive workplace through leadership and recruitment. 

Here are best practices and examples of how to support LGBTQ employees in the workplace.

As state economies are reopening as shelter-in-place orders are lifted, employers may have questions related to rehiring and on-boarding employees after a layoff. There are benefits in bringing back employees who were furloughed or laid off.  The employee already knows the business. HR can expect reduced on-boarding and on the job training, and company culture is already established.

Proper procedures, however, should still be followed that are consistent with company policy. 

Here are HR and legal recommended practices for your employees returning to work.

Acquiring the right talent can be challenging at any time but recruiting during a lockdown is especially trying. During the COVID-19 pandemic, employers and staff have had to adjust to a new remote way of working. Talent acquisition, much like anything else, has moved virtual and recruiters are adapting and teaching candidates how to adapt as well.

Read on to learn how recruiters are adapting to new remote talent acquisition challenges.

Much of the success of your business depends on your brand reputation and your brand reputation depends on your employees. Everyone who works for your business represents your company. Not only do you want to hire great employees, you want to keep them around. Employee turnover requires more work, more time and more resources than hiring right the first time. 

Here are best practices for reducing your company's employee turnover ...

Diversion and Inclusion (D & I) have been the topic for HR managers for a few years now.  The truth is, diversity and inclusion is helpful to the business as a whole, not only as a human resources policy. In 2015, the U.S. Census reported that, for the first time in history, a majority of children (50.2%) under age 5 were considered part of an ethnic group or a minority race. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in 2018 that 83.9 % of chief executives were white males.  There simply is no reason not to include diversity and inclusion in your business to better reflect your customers and the changing population of the country.

Here's how HR affects diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Tis the season of gratitude and service and your employees are looking forward to the break. As an employer, there are a multitude of ways to say thank you. Science has proven that gratitude and sincere acknowledgment improves lives and self-care in a stressful work environment. As an HR professional, you can also help encourage a culture of thankfulness and praise.

Here are four ways that HR can show gratitude to employees.