SCG Survey

Poll: Employees consider company’s reputation, alignment with their own views more important than higher salary

SCG Survey

Views on vaccine also impactful, says nationwide, online survey of 1,500 adults

WHIPPANY, NJ (Oct. 20, 2021) – A nationwide survey of 1,500 adults indicates that 84.03% of respondents are willing to accept lower financial compensation to work for a company with a stellar reputation. A similar number – 79.59% – say it’s important to have an employer who shares their views. These results – from an SCG Advertising + Public Relations survey – seem to indicate that businesses and other employers ignore employees’ values and perspectives at their own peril.

 

Completed on October 12, 2021, the online poll also looks at vaccine policies, finding that 74.19% of respondents favor a position with a fair salary and vaccine policies they agree with, versus a higher salary and a vaccine policy in contrast to their own beliefs.

 

Full, sortable data from the survey is available here. Also included is a free, interactive white paper that features a downloadable infographic, as well as a “LISTEN” acrostic that can serve as a strong, visual reminder of the value of listening.

 

“It’s crucial that employers consider whether their organization’s beliefs align with those of current and prospective employees,” says Michael Cherenson, executive vice president for SCG Advertising + Public Relations. “The results of our poll are intriguing, and should be particularly resonant at a time when so many companies are struggling to attract and retain talent.”

 

Indicative of how serious workers are about being content with and comfortable in their employment is the most recent JOLTS (Job Opening and Labor Turnover Survey) report, which shows that a record 4.3 million Americans quit their jobs during August. It’s a striking figure – which is equivalent to 2.9% of the entire U.S. workforce – and is made even more so by separate, recent research indicating that the actual cost to an organization related to an employee resigning may be as much as 50% of that individual’s annual salary.

 

Click Here For Your Copy Of Our Interactive White Paper

Another example of how important it can be to embrace positions valued by employees is United Airline’s recent decision to require all workers to be vaccinated. The move was extremely popular with candidates for employment, as evidenced by the airline having received 20,000 applications for 2,000 open flight attendant positions. For United, this represents a decidedly accelerated application rate, versus its typical, pre-pandemic ratio.

 

This said, Cherenson also notes that along with employees, business leaders must also assess the perspectives and values of other key stakeholders.

 

“While the survey data indicates the value of aligning policies with employees, organizations also need to be in sync with where their customers, clients, and society at-large stand on core issues,” Cherenson explains. “When there’s any sort of misalignment, an organization needs to work harder and smarter. To be clear, this survey’s results don’t suggest an organization should shrink from its larger obligation related to vaccines and the public health infrastructure, which a majority of Americans support. Rather, it indicates the advisability of organizations communicating as strategically and proactively as possible with their various publics.”

 

Viewing the poll results from a somewhat different perspective, only 7% of those surveyed said they would consistently choose the higher salary in response to all three questions. In other words, more than six in 10 would consistently follow their gut, versus unquestionably choosing the higher salary.

 

Of further note, in August 2001, SCG Advertising + Public Relations conducted a similar survey. It asked whether those polled would accept a lower level of compensation to work for a company with an excellent reputation. Fully 78% of respondents indicated they would.

 

“That initial survey’s results are in line with this latest poll, but it’s intriguing to see what’s changed in 20 years,” says Cherenson. “Back in 2001, 78% of those surveyed indicated a willingness to forgo a higher salary to be connected with a well-regarded organization. Today, in response to the same question, six percent more people express a preference for the company with a stellar reputation. View side-by-side, the 2001 and 2021 results appear to indicate an ongoing, societal shift – one that should substantially impact how businesses and other organizations present and define themselves.”

 

 About SCG Advertising + Public Relations

Headquartered in Whippany, NJ, SCG Advertising + Public Relations has organizational roots dating to 1958. The agency provides comprehensive communication services for a broad range of clients. Its satellite offices are located in the metropolitan areas of Philadelphia, Atlanta, San Diego, and Tampa.

 

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Educational Services Jobs

A Report Card on Educational Services Jobs

Educational Section Jobs

The nation was waiting in anticipation of great numbers when the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the latest jobs report on Friday, April 2. However, the announcement that total non-farm payroll employment rose by 916,000 in March exceeded even the most optimistic experts.  The public and private education sector was one of the big job creation winners for Educational Services Jobs in March as in-person learning begins to spread across the nation.

Here are the growth numbers in the March 2021 report.

 

Local government education        76,000

State government education        50,000

Private education                          64,000

 

Compare those numbers with the losses since February 2020 in the following:

Local government education        -594,000

State government education         -270,000

Private education                          -310,000

 

Let’s take a deeper look at the Educational Services jobs sector (NAICS 611) of the economy. This includes elementary and secondary schools, junior colleges, colleges/universities and business school and computer training, technical and trade school, and educational support services.

 

Month                                           Employees (In thousands)

March 2019                                      3722.1

March 2020                                      3696.3

March 2021                                      3469.0

 

Month                                            Unemployment Rate

March 2019                                      2.8%

March 2020                                      4.4%

March 2021                                      4.1%

 

With all of these promising numbers being reported, the Educational Services job market is undoubtedly beginning to heat up. The competition for top talent is certainly tightening. If you are recruiting in this sector, are you ready to face the competition? To start the conversation, e-mail Mike Mangan mmangan@scgadv.com or contact your Account Executive at (973) 992-7800.

 

 

Managing Your Employer Brand During The Pandemic

 

As we approach one year of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s time for companies to do some self-reflection.

  • Did you do everything you could to help your employees and customers during the time of crisis?
  • How will your employer brand reputation be remembered once all of this has passed?

 

Employer branding has always been an integral part of recruitment marketing but the current pandemic has shone a light even further on the role branding plays in candidates’ choice of workplace. Typically, SCG’s process of employer brand development starts with helping our clients define their Employer Value Proposition (EVP) which forms the foundation of their employer brand. In today’s landscape, managing an employer brand looks a little different and requires organizations to be ready to pivot to meet the current climate, plan for contingencies and adapt to employee needs including remote working.

 

During the peak of the pandemic, when uncertainty was rampant and budgets were tight, employer branding often took a back seat but it was actually the most crucial time for organizations to consider how they were treating their employees, customers and community. This would be a key factor not just in attracting talent but also how their reputation would be remembered in the future. Job seekers were paying attention to which employers stepped up during the crisis – how they took care of their employees and customers, and how leadership reacted and led during this time. Did they put people over business?

 

Most organizations did not know how to respond in this unprecedented time. Many were paralyzed and shut down any communications. Others ignored the crisis. Some came off inauthentic or exploitative. According to Linkedin data from April 2020, only 1 in 4 company posts during that time mentioned coronavirus. The posts that resonated most with audiences were those focused on community and support, on stepping up to help relief efforts and putting people first, as well as posts about working from home. SCG’s team, early on, reached out to their clients and encouraged them to address the crisis immediately, directly and authentically. Transparency and community became more valued than maintaining a pristine employer reputation.

 

While there is a light at the end of this tunnel, organizations must continue to maintain and adapt their employer branding and communications to attract and retain quality talent now and in the future.

 

 

 

It’s Not Whether We Communicate, But How Effectively We Communicate

 

 

It is unlikely anyone would challenge the belief that strong and open communication is essential in building a client-agency relationship. And, if done artfully and regularly, great communication can yield many benefits. Here are a few that are top of mind:

  • Gives Direction
  • Reduces uncertainty
  • Builds relationships
  • Creates meaning
  • Increases collaboration

That is a powerful list of benefits. And with the unending stream of improvements offered by technology your opportunity to become a master communicator is more accessible than ever before.

 

There was a time when client relationships were built on the phone, in face-to-face business meetings, and through the mail. Now, each of these communication options are faster, more efficient, and less expensive than in decades gone by.

 

Of course, there are a plethora of tools out there that had not even been dreamed of decades ago which are now mainstream. Just think of a business world without:

  • E-mail
  • Text
  • Chat
  • Online Collaboration
  • Virtual Meetings

So many choices!! However, no matter what tools you choose as appropriate for developing each individual agency/client relationship remember to mix your methods of communication. There are times where a well-timed phone call can clear up misunderstandings that crop up in e-mail. Also, you must communicate regularly and be responsive to messages that you receive.

 

Let’s start communicating today. For clients, our focus is always on navigating the entire P.E.S.O. (Paid /Earned / Shared / Owned) media spectrum. We create and direct programs and campaigns with a truly 360-degree perspective, helping organizations break down internal silos and strategically improve engagement and relationships – all with a goal of achieving your objectives.

Why PESO?

Contact Us

 

 

Teacher Shortage

Nationwide Shortage of Substitute Teachers; Lots of Jobs To Fill

Teacher ShortageWhether a school is instructing in-person or online, one thing remains the same — they need an increasing number of substitute teachers from an ever-decreasing talent pool. How prevalent is the shortage? Google serves over a million results on “substitute teacher shortage COVID.” These results come from Madison, Chicago, Kansas City, Utica, Las Vegas, Coeur d’Alene, Houston, and so many more. The reporting originates from large and small cities all over the nation.

Lots of jobs to fill

A good amount of jobs currently being posted come from Indeed.com. A simple search for substitute teachers in the United States reveals 7,271 openings nationwide.  By far the largest number is coming from Chicago with 503 openings. That is well ahead of the number two city – Denver – with 61.

The changing candidate pools

Even before the pandemic, a shortage of substitute teachers existed in many areas. However, that number is now increasing rapidly as potential candidates weigh the risk-reward of substituting where the income is relatively low and the potential exposure to COVID is higher. On the income side of the equation, The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows short-term substitute teachers earning $32,460 per year, which is $21,030 less than the U.S. annual average among all jobs. This low earning level limits the availability of retired teachers and part-timers.

The fear of COVID among teachers is real when you consider 18% of all public and private school teachers are in the high risk, 65 and older age group per The American Enterprise Institute. That potentially also means they could be taking home the virus to equally vulnerable family members. The bottom line? It is no surprise that the American Federation of Teachers, a national labor union, shows that 1 in 3 teachers say the pandemic has made them more likely to retire earlier than planned.

How schools battle the shortage

Here is a list of some of the things schools have been doing to have enough substitutes in their classes:

  • Hiring parents
  • Increasing class sizes
  • Adding babysitting to bus driver duties
  • Hiring permanent substitutes
  • Boasting earnings and more competitive wages
  • Sending personal invitations to retired teachers
  • Offering sign-on bonuses

Help is on the way

With the vaccine now here, help is on the way. Millions of doses have already been delivered, and both teachers and substitutes should be getting significant relief. Anything close to normal will be fully embraced by educators nationwide.

If you are looking for creative ways to fill open positions you can contact your Account Manager or email pcrescenzi@successcomgroup.com.

 

 

 

SCG 5 Step Diversity Plan

Eliminate Your Greatest Barrier To Successful Diversity Recruiting

A survey of 250 full-time talent acquisition or recruitment professionals by Yello.co found that the top reason for not meeting the challenges of diversity recruiting was a “lack of time and resources to devise and execute a diversity recruitment strategy.” That said, recent protests have necessitated a renewed focus on social justice and an immediate and serious review of diversity in the workplace.

Talent acquisition professionals are undoubtedly feeling the pressure. More than anyone they know the many benefits of a robust plan that results in greater diversity in the workplace.  Just a few of those benefits include building a team that reflects the changing make-up of our population, wider variety of thought, stronger decision-making, inspiration resulting in more creativity, improvement in retention, enhancement of productivity, and a lift in the company’s reputation.

The reality is that talent acquisition has little influence over meeting the most common challenges that keep diversity recruiting plans on the shelf rather than into action.  So, how do you move ahead when you hit the “no more excuses” stage in diversity?SCG 5-step-Diversity-Plan

Fortunately, there is a solution. Partner with the recruitment marketing experts at SCG Advertising & Public Relations. We will guide you through our 5-step Diversity Plan to:

  • Build a diversity team
  • Share a thorough situation analysis
  • Develop a multi-pronged strategy
  • Implement the plan
  • Monitor program progress

Let’s talk now about a plan that will put you ahead of the curve in creating a diverse workforce in your company. Our SCG recruitment professionals have extensive experience in this area.  Contact Mike Gatta, VP, National Development at 856-795-7391 x149.

 

 

 

 

Upson Regional Elevator Wrap

It’s a Wrap! Putting your Brand to Work for You

What do you think of when you think about advertising? Clients frequently think narrowly of a limited range of options. One of the reasons that I love what I do is the constant variety.  Every touchpoint with your customer or job candidate leaves a lasting impression. You should be reinforcing mission, vision, and values at every opportunity.

Over the years, we’ve helped clients tell their story on billboards, movie theatre screens, mall food court tables, coffee sleeves, t-shirts, banners on the front of buildings, shuttle buses wraps, computer screensavers, custom coins and holiday ornaments, just to name a few.

Shuttle Bus Wraps
Honor Health

 

 

Elevator Wraps

So, when Upson Regional Medical Center asked for help in identifying a vendor to help wrap the elevator doors in their hospital, we were ready. They wanted to share a safety guideline limiting the number of passengers in the elevators combined with a message reinforcing their commitment to caring for their community.

After presenting several design options, the client unanimously selected one design that featured four stock images of medical professionals. The client asked us to swap in their own employees and we were well on our way.

We faced an added challenge with the location of the hospital, which is approximately 70 miles from Atlanta in Central Georgia. We contacted vendors within a reasonable radius and carefully evaluated proposals, ensuring reasonable investment, quality job and ease of removal when the time comes. The client had 34 doors to be wrapped and we wanted to ensure it was done properly.

I am thrilled to say that installation was completed in one day with minimal interruption and the client was very pleased with the result, showing it off on social media the same day.

 

 

 

diversity

Diversity has taken on a whole new urgency. Are you ready?

diversity

 

 

A remote workforce. Mass layoffs. Thousands of furloughs. The Covid-19 Pandemic created unforeseen challenges for Human Resources professionals. Then, the George Floyd tragedy changed everything. Protests brought renewed focus on social justice and an immediate and serious review of diversity in the workplace.

 

Employee reviews on Glassdoor from the week of May 25 to the week of June 1st highlight related topics spiked by 63%. That huge jump is proof that even with the extreme pressures talent acquisition professionals are under, they need to move diversity to the top of their priority list.

 

Unfortunately, more times than not clients ask for a proposal on diversity, then shelve it for another day. Turns out talent acquisition professionals should take their inspiration from Walt Disney. Known as a creative genius, he could also be very practical – like when he said, “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”

 

Great advice because talking alone does not solve the issue. It takes commitment to a strong mission supported all the way to the top of an organization, a healthy budget, and good strategic planning.

 

So, what would a comprehensive diversity plan include? Below is a starting point for developing your campaign.

  1. Review and update your company career page and social media. Make certain that all things diversity are being shared.
  2. Develop a campus recruiting program. Start with researching schools in your recruiting area that have a high percentage of minority students and offer majors that feed your core positions.
  3. Advertising your brand across a strong diversity network that will continuously distribute your jobs to the appropriate sites will help in building a pipeline of candidates.
  4. Develop active relationships with appropriate associations. Remember: many of these organizations will have state chapters.
  5. Attend your area’s diversity career fairs to show your support.  In today’s covid-19 world this will most likely be virtual.
  6. Organize ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) for diversity groups which will provide support, enhance career development, offer professional networking opportunities, and personal development in the workplace.

Let’s have a serious conversation about diversity and how we can help you design and implement a plan that will put you at the forefront of diversity recruitment.

 

 

contact tracer people

For Hiring The Contact Tracers Who Monitor The Spread Of COVID-19, New Entity Launched

“ContactSCG” unveiled by New Jersey-based SCG Advertising + Public Relations

ContactSCG

 

 

 

 

 

PARSIPPANY, NJ (April 30, 2020) – Government agencies, non-profits, and private industry all are expected to hire upward of 300,000 health detectives – known as contact tracers – to identify and interview individuals who test positive for the virus and then trace those they’ve recently been in contact with. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other experts have expressed the belief that contact tracers will be integral to preventing a second wave of the virus.

 

In 2003-2004, contact tracers played a key role in defeating SARS, and are used regularly by health departments around the world to combat HIV, measles, H1N1, and even Ebola.

 

Among those companies and organizations already active in the burgeoning contact tracing technology sector are a partnership between Apple and Google,  Bloomberg Philanthropies, Contrace, and Partners in Health. In addition, several former health officials are calling for contact tracing support to be prominently featured in the next coronavirus aid package.

 

Beyond the tools, technology, and skills employed by contact tracers, quickly hiring hundreds of thousands of skilled investigators will be a challenge. To help organizations meet this challenge, the highly specialized recruitment advertising division of SCG Advertising + Public Relations has launched a dedicated unit called ContactSCG to focus on helping organizations market and hire contract tracers. The 60-year-old, New Jersey-based firm – with offices in Atlanta, Philadelphia, California and Florida – has, for decades, provided talent acquisition and recruitment advertising strategy and services to a wide range of healthcare, government, first responder, and non-profit clients.

 

“This is an astounding number of potential openings for a job that until now hasn’t even been researched by the Bureau of Labor Statistics,” says Mike Gatta, SCG’s vice president, national development. “It’s a major recruitment challenge for all 50 states, 16 territories, and thousands of local health departments – not to mention large corporations that may want their own to ensure the safety of their employees.”

 

Gatta notes that SCG has extensive experience in recruitment marketing, handling millions of jobs in all industries, including healthcare and government. By using the PESO model of Paid, Earned, Shared and Owned media, the agency has the tools to work with marketing and HR departments to quickly scale up and deliver results.

 

SCG’s recruitment marketing campaigns include a broad range of tools, including job-posting optimization for aggregators; digital and mobile strategies that include the Web, social, and shared media; and sophisticated programmatic advertising. Also featured are broadcast, out-of-home, and other traditional forms of advertising, plus diversity efforts, public relations, influencer outreach, special events, and including virtual job fairs. SCG is currently an approved vendor for government entities across the nation.

 

For more information, visit our website and contact Mike Gatta, Vice President, National Development at mgatta@scgadv.com or call (856) 795-7391 ext. 149 or Michael Cherenson, EVP Public Relations at mcherenson@scgadv.com or call973-597-5104 or 973-919-6228.

 

 

About SCG Advertising + Public Relations

Founded more than half a century ago, SCG (Success Communications Group) provides 21st century communication services highlighted by creativity, passion, and innovation. With specific expertise in advertising, marketing, public relations, social media, digital marketing, and recruitment, SCG is headquartered in Parsippany, NJ, with regional offices in the metro areas of Philadelphia, Atlanta, San Diego, and Tampa.

Additional information is available at www.scgadv.com as well as on Facebook  and Twitter.

 

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Contact Tracing

Contact Tracers: The New Normal for Local & State Health Departments

An unprecedented recruitment challenge

Contact Tracing

 

They’re not new. In fact, contact tracers helped defeat SARS in 2003-2004, and are used regularly by health departments to combat HIV, measles, H1N1, and even Ebola.

However, the incredible size of the contact tracing workforce will be the new normal as experts say that the Covid-19 Pandemic has created an explosive need for an army of these health detectives. Where now there are approximately 2,000 contact tracers across the nation, it is likely we will be needing a total force of 200,000 to 300,000.

 

This is an astounding number for a job that up until now has not been researched by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and a major recruitment challenge for our 50 states, 16 territories and thousands of local health departments – not to mention large corporations that may want their own to ensure the safety of their employees.

 

Experts believe that contact tracers will be integral to preventing a second wave of the invisible enemy. That is why the CDC says, “The time to start building the trained workforce is now.”

 

If you are not familiar with contact tracing (and we bet you are not) here is how it works. The positive person is interviewed by an investigator who then reaches out to those contacts suggesting 14 days of isolation and collecting information on others who have been within six feet for 10 minutes or more of the contact.

 

Some of the states are getting a head start on putting together an effective contact tracing team. Massachusetts is looking at a team of 1,000, New Jersey could have as many as 7,000 while California is putting together a team of 10,000 contact tracers. This is while many states are looking at creative ways of filling these critical roles.

 

If you are a Government Health official, Healthcare Administrator or Talent Acquisition professional with an urgent need to hire high-demand individuals as contact tracers, there is one way you can stay ahead of the hiring curve.  Contact SCG.

 

As a valued client of SCG, you will have the power of an award-winning company with 60 years of experience in public relations, research, advertising and association management.

 

More importantly, we have extensive experience in Recruitment Marketing – handling millions of jobs in all industries including extensive experience in health care and government. By using the PESO model of Paid, Earned, Shared and Owned media, we have the tools to work with your marketing and HR departments to scale up quickly and deliver results.

 

The bottom line is, we have the tools and the experience that equip us ready to hit the ground running to meet your Contact Tracing recruitment challenge. Contact Mike Gatta, Vice President, National Development at mgatta@scgadv.com or call (856) 795-7391 ext. 149.

 

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