HR Brew // Morning Brew // Update

RECRUITMENT & RETENTION

Getting small on recruiting

Amelia Kinsinger

Despite generating more than half of US job creation in the last decade, many small businesses struggled to hire and retain top talent in the turbulent, pandemic-era labor market.

Even as overall hiring and quit rates slowed in 2024, their challenges haven’t let up. Nearly one-third of small businesses that tried to hire last year weren’t able to find employees who were a good fit, Gusto’s latest State of Small Business survey found. Top reasons cited for not finding a good match included lack of skills or education, inability to work desired hours, insufficient applicants, and unaffordable labor costs.

Economic conditions aside, smaller organizations are, in some ways, inherently disadvantaged, especially in comparison to large competitors.

“The disadvantages of a small company are they’re small, and they lack resources, operating rigor, and routine, and frankly, they can be unprofessional,” Chris Timol, president and COO at PuzzleHR, a fractional and outsourcing HR services company, told HR Brew.

For more on what small businesses can do to better attract and retain talented employees, keep reading here.—PM

Presented By Norton LifeLock

Remove the cyber sweat

Your employees handle sensitive information every day. Unfortunately, that makes them vulnerable to cyberattacks, identity theft, and scams. In fact, one recent survey found 60% of scam victims suffered financial loss.

Before panic sets in, partner with Norton LifeLock Benefit Solutions. For HR teams, it’s a seamless, no-noise benefit that integrates with 100+ technology platforms.

For employees, it’s designed to protect against online threats and scams by providing proactive identity and financial protection, digital protection, and privacy online. Meaning less stress for them, less complexity for HR.

With Norton LifeLock Benefit Solutions you get:

Identity and financial protection for peace of mind
AI-powered detection for advanced scams
US-based restoration specialists

Choose the right benefits to help protect employees from cybercriminals, and don’t sweat the cyber threats.

HR STRATEGY

Built from the ground up

Mikkelwilliam/Getty Images

Ashley Braband spent most of her career creating sports content, so leading a people and culture team, she says, sometimes brings out her “imposter syndrome.” But, what’s kept her going is knowing she excels at two of her job prerequisites: working hard and leading with kindness.

Braband joined Los Angeles-based sports media company, Omaha Productions, in 2021 as its first employee and head of development, shortly after it was founded by Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning and sports broadcasting executive Jamie Horowitz (who was terminated by Fox Sports in 2017 following sexual harassment allegations, which his lawyer has denied).

Starting as employee zero, Braband told HR Brew she did everything, including run-of-the-mill HR tasks on top of her other responsibilities as head of development. But, in 2023, Braband was tasked with a new challenge—crafting and leading the company’s people and culture function.

For more on how Braband propelled herself forward in a male-dominated industry, keep reading here.—MC

TOTAL REWARDS

Menopause matters

Jhvephoto/Getty Images

CVS Health recently earned a “menopause-friendly” accreditation from an organization seeking to help companies integrate menopause into their workplace culture. The efforts show how some employers are making deeper investments in benefits tied to the condition.

The healthcare company is the first US firm to earn the accreditation, according to a Mar. 13 press release. MiDOViA, the organization that grants the accreditation, has already awarded it to a number of UK-based employers, including Unilever and Boots.

More employers now see a return-on-investment from menopause programming, April Haberman, MiDOViA’s CEO and co-founder, told HR Brew. She said she expects these investments to continue to grow even as benefits with a DEI lens face some scrutiny in the US.

For more on the evolution at CVS Health and its menopause offerings, keep reading here.—CV

Together With SixFifty

Past due . A neglected employee handbook is risky business. On top of confusing employees and complicating the onboarding process, an out-of-date handbook can expose your business to legal issues. SixFifty’s checklist helps you get your handbook back on track. Want an in-depth look at state-by-state compliance? Book a personalized demo.

WORK PERKS

A desktop computer plugged into a green couch.

Francis Scialabba

Today’s top HR reads.

Stat: The share of men in healthcare, education, administration, and literacy careers has declined from 31% in 1970 to 22% today. (Bloomberg)

Quote: “We welcome all to our hotels and we create opportunities for all—and fundamentally those will never change. The words might change, but that’s who we are as a company.” —Marriott CEO Anthony Capuano speaking about the hospitality giant’s DEI strategy and how it might change amid the backlash against that term (Fortune)

Read: Tesla settled a racial discrimination lawsuit for an undisclosed amount with a Black employee who claimed her manager would greet workers with racist phrases. (CNN)

Caught on scam: 60% of scam victims suffer financial loss, which is where Norton LifeLock Benefit Plans can help. They’re designed to protect against online threats and integrate with 100+ platforms. Start your partnership today.*

^{*A message from our sponsor.}

JOBS

Looking for a job where your values and skills are understood? CollabWORK links you with roles curated within trusted communities, from niche Slack workspaces to industry newsletters like HR Brew. Discover new opportunities without the job-board fatigue—join CollabWORK today, or click here to browse jobs chosen for HR Brew readers.

Manager of People Operations and Talent at Great Lakes Dental Partners (hybrid)
Human Resources Operations Specialist at Locusview (in person)
Director of People Operations at Pressed Juicery (hybrid)

SHARE THE BREW

Share HR Brew with your coworkers, acquire free Brew swag, and then make new friends as a result of your fresh Brew swag.

We’re saying we’ll give you free stuff and more friends if you share a link. One link.

Your referral count: 0

Click to Share

Or copy & paste your referral link to others:
hr-brew.com/r/?kid=12b4b9db

✤ A Note From Norton LifeLock

Based on an online survey of 12,024 adults in 12 countries conducted by Dynata on behalf of Gen in December 2024.

ADVERTISE // CAREERS // SHOP // FAQ

Update your email preferences or unsubscribe .
View our privacy policy .

Copyright © 2025 Morning Brew Inc. All rights reserved.
22 W 19th St, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10011

☕️ Diamonds in the rough