10 questions employees are afraid to ask

A BURNING QUESTION: Despite the increased focus on employee experience, there are still some conversations that are hard to have at work — but they don't have to be. 

Twenty-two percent of workers admit that they aren't communicating directly when having difficult conversations in the workplace, according to a recent survey from digital marketing agency Fractl, and it's driving a wedge between employees and their employers. In an effort to highlight the biggest pain points, online learning platform Virtual College analyzed and ranked the topics the workforce is struggling with the most.  

"A lot of the time, employees shy away from topics [out of] fear that bringing them up could lead to rejection or conflict with their managers," says Jamie Ashforth, director of business and strategy at Virtual College. "This is often rooted in a desire to avoid negative feelings or strain in professional relationships. A number of people also struggle with self-confidence, which means that they often find it difficult to discuss their worth and contributions effectively."

Find out about what's on employees' minds: 10 questions employees are afraid to ask

LEARNING ANOTHER LANGUAGE: For many businesses in the U.S., it's increasingly clear that English isn't the only language that is useful to know. But are employers prepared to equip workers for the impending demographic shift? 

According to Instituto Cervantes, the U.S. is on track to be the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world by 2050. But despite Spanish becoming more commonplace, data from Best Diplomats shows only 15 million Americans speak Spanish as a second language, hinting at a potential communication gap in the coming decades. That's why it is worthwhile for businesses to consider language learning an upskilling opportunity for their workforce, notes Becky Gundy, head of B2B marketing at language software Babbel.  

"This shift is happening quickly, and it's not something that can be ignored," says Gundy. "Communication is key to business success, and there's more productivity when you break down those language barriers."

Read more about the benefits of learning another language: Why learning Spanish could make your business more successful

FLOODED WITH CHOICES: It wasn't so long ago that pickings seemed slim to companies in search for new talent. Now they may have more options than they know what to do with.  

Over 200,000 jobs were added to the market in May, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but with unemployment at 4.1% as of June — the highest it's been since November 2021 — hiring managers and recruiters are struggling to keep up with the demand from the workforce, and it's leading to an overcrowded job market that benefits no one. 

Illana Hernandez, the employee experience and talent acquisition manager at public relations firm Mission North, reveals how her company is handling the sudden uptick in applicants, while still keeping the process as intentional as possible.

Read on for the complete interview with Hernandez: The job market is overcrowded. Here's how to keep the recruiting process simple