top of page
Search

Q2 2026 Newsletter


Summer is Approaching - Is Your Workplace Ready?


Summer brings a unique energy to the workplace — and with it, a unique set of challenges for HR leaders and managers alike. Between vacation requests piling up, school schedules shifting, childcare gaps opening, and the general pull of sunshine and slower days, employee focus and engagement can quietly dip during the summer months if organizations aren't intentional about it.


The good news? A little proactive planning goes a long way.


Here are a few ways HR leaders and managers can support their teams this summer:


  • ☀️ Be flexible where you can. Summer is one of the most requested times for schedule adjustments. Where operationally possible, offering flexible start and end times, compressed workweeks, or hybrid options signals to employees that you trust them — and that their lives outside of work matter.

  • 📅 Plan around PTO early. Encourage employees to submit time-off requests early and communicate coverage expectations clearly. Proactive planning reduces last-minute stress for everyone and keeps projects moving without burning out the people left holding the bag.

  • 👨‍👩‍👧 Acknowledge the childcare reality. For working parents, summer can be one of the most stressful seasons of the year. Acknowledging that reality — even just in conversation — goes a long way. If your organization has EAP resources, backup care benefits, or community referrals available, now is the time to remind employees they exist.

  • 🌡️ Watch for burnout signals. Interestingly, summer can actually accelerate burnout — especially for employees covering for vacationing colleagues on top of their regular workload. Check in frequently, redistribute where possible, and don't let "we're short-staffed" become the default answer to every ask.

  • 🎉 Make room for some fun. Summer is a natural opportunity to invest in team culture. Whether it's a casual team lunch, a low-key outing, or simply loosening the dress code on Fridays — small gestures of appreciation and community go a long way in keeping morale high.


At the end of the day, how an organization shows up for its employees during each season says a lot about its culture. Summer is a chance to lean into flexibility, connection, and care — and employees will remember it.


New Book: People Not Tasks


What separates good leaders from truly great ones? It's not strategy. It's not systems. It's people.


Jeremy York, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, and Lead Consultant and President of InvigorateHR, has spent over two decades working inside organizations of all shapes and sizes — and the pattern he kept seeing was clear. Teams with nearly identical policies and processes produced wildly different results. The difference was never in the employee handbook. It was in how leaders showed up every single day for their people.


That insight is the heartbeat of his new book, People Not Tasks: A Leader's Guide to Building Solid Employee Relationships.


Built around five foundational pillars — Trust, Transparency, Empathy, Respect, and Kindness — the book gives leaders a practical, proven framework for shifting from task management to genuine relationship investment. Each pillar is grounded in real-world HR experience and backed by research, offering actionable steps leaders can implement immediately — no budget required, no organizational overhaul needed.


And the results of getting this right? Organizations that prioritize people-focused leadership see:

📉 50% lower turnover rates

📈 87% higher employee engagement

💰 286% better financial performance


This isn't about sacrificing results for relationships. It's about achieving better results through stronger relationships.


Whether you're a seasoned executive, a first-time manager, or somewhere in between, People Not Tasks will challenge the way you lead — and give you the tools to do something about it.


Order now on Amazon or Book Baby and get ready to transform how you lead.


Exciting Training: Management Essentials


We're thrilled to partner with Charitable Advisors to bring you the Management Essentials Virtual Training and Cohort, a 6-month leadership experience designed specifically for nonprofit professionals!


This isn't your typical one-and-done training. Over six sessions, your managers will:

✅ Strengthen their management style using DiSC

✅ Improve hiring and onboarding practices

✅ Navigate conflict with confidence

✅ Build accountability and high-performing teams

✅ Deliver feedback that drives results


Plus, participants will connect with a cohort of peers facing the same real-world challenges, building a leadership network that lasts well beyond the final session.


📅 Cohort begins August 12, 2026 and runs monthly through January 2027

👥 Enrollment capped at 25 participants

💰 Early Bird pricing ($795) ends June 15 — don't wait!


Invest in your managers. Strengthen your organization. Learn more and reserve your spot today!


Professional Development on YOUR Schedule: InvigorateU


Busy schedule? No problem.


InvigorateU is our fully on-demand e-learning platform designed for HR professionals who need flexibility without sacrificing quality.


Why InvigorateU?

✅ Learn at your own pace – Access courses 24/7, whenever it fits YOUR schedule

✅ Earn SHRM PDCs – Every course is certified for professional development credits

✅ Showcase your growth – Earn digital badges to display on LinkedIn and in your email signature


No live sessions to rush to. No rigid timelines. Just high-quality learning when you need it.


Ready to invest in yourself? Explore InvigorateU today! 



Our Insights


Looking for HR insights you can actually use? We're sharing practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world solutions across all our platforms.


Here's where to find us:



Services Spotlight


Compensation & Benefits Consulting   


In today's competitive talent market, pay is no longer just a number on an offer letter — it's a statement about how much your organization values its people. And if your compensation strategy hasn't been reviewed recently, there's a good chance it's quietly working against you.


At InvigorateHR, our Compensation & Benefits Consulting services are designed to help organizations build pay structures that are competitive, equitable, and aligned with their business goals. We work with companies of all sizes to take the guesswork out of compensation — replacing it with data, strategy, and confidence.


Here's what that looks like in practice:


  • 💰 Job-Specific Market Benchmarking: We analyze current market data to ensure your pay rates are competitive within your industry and geography, so you're not losing great candidates or current employees to organizations that simply pay better.

  • 📊 Compensation Structure Design: We help you build fair, transparent, and strategic pay frameworks that support consistent decision-making, reduce manager bias, and create a clear path for employee growth.

  • ⚖️ Pay Equity Analysis: We identify and address pay disparities across your organization before they become compliance risks or culture concerns — ensuring every employee is compensated fairly regardless of gender, race, or role.

  • 🎁 Benefits Strategy: Beyond base pay, we help you evaluate and align your benefits offerings to attract and retain the talent that matters most to your organization.


A well-designed compensation strategy doesn't just help you hire — it helps you keep the people you've already invested in. And in an environment where turnover is expensive and talent is scarce, that matters more than ever.


Ready to make sure your compensation strategy is built to compete? Let's talk.Learn more about our Compensation Services here.



Upcoming Webinars


June Webinar

Five Generations, One Team: Leading Across the Multigenerational Workforce 

Wednesday, June 10th at 12:00 pm EST

Click Here to learn more and register!


 

July Webinar

Culture by Design: Not by Default 

Wednesday, May 13th at 12:00 pm EST

Click Here to learn more and register!


View Our Full Calendar of Webinars Here




Speaking Engagements


InvigorateHR is pleased to be speaking at the following events.

If you are in attendance, we would love to connect with you!


Indiana Bankers Association

Location: Indianapolis, IN

Date: May 20, 2026

Speaker: Lead Consultant and President, Jeremy York, SHRM-SCP, SPHR

Topic: "The Great Retention: Building Magnetic Cultures That Keep Top Talent"





Our Services


Did You Know…

InvigorateHR provides an entire suite of HR and people operations services. If it involves your people--we have you covered! Check out our ways we can partner with you below:






Our Partners






bottom of page