Novartis Czech Republic’s Post

Navigating the evolving landscape of the modern workplace, especially with the increasing presence of Gen Z, presents both challenges and opportunities. At Smith Publicity, Inc., we're learning and adapting as we welcome this new generation into our team. Gen Z brings a fresh perspective to the professional landscape, particularly in their approach to work-life balance and boundary setting—which I find inspiring. Their clear demarcation of work hours and personal time offers a new lens through which we view our traditional work practices. It's a thought-provoking shift from the 'always-on' mentality, prompting us to consider the balance between flexibility and structure in new ways. Our journey with Gen Z goes beyond updating team structures or job roles; it's about embracing and integrating their unique perspectives into our work ethos. This generation's ideas are encouraging us to rethink our approach to workplace flexibility, challenging the more rigid structures we've known. It's about finding harmony in a workspace where varied needs and preferences coexist and are equally respected. Adjusting to these shifts is not without its challenges, yet it represents an essential step toward growth and inclusivity. Embracing a more casual dress code, for instance, may seem small, but it signifies a larger move towards a more relaxed, authentic work environment. We're realizing that welcoming Gen Z into our workforce is as much about our evolution as it is about accommodating a new generation. This integration is pushing us to reevaluate and enhance our policies and practices, from maternity and parental leave to inclusivity and personal challenges support. These changes we’re observing are not just about meeting new demands but about creating a workplace culture that's adaptive and responsive to the changing needs of our team. It's a journey of continuous reflection, improvement, and understanding – one that challenges us to grow as an organization while nurturing an environment where every team member feels valued and supported. If you’re an ambitious Gen Zer, we’d love to have you join our Smith team for our summer intern program! Send your resume and cover letter to info@smithpublicity.com, and stay tuned for more details. #GenZ #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture

Let's Normalize Giving Second Chances: Supporting Interns, Maternal Women, and Those Facing Health or Family Challenges 👩🏫 Interns Deserve Guidance, Not Judgment: Internships serve as a stepping stone for students and recent graduates entering the corporate world. Many of these interns are taking their first steps into a professional setting, and mistakes are inevitable. Instead of viewing their errors as signs of incompetence, let's recognize them as opportunities for growth. Providing constructive feedback and mentorship can transform these young talents into valuable assets for the organization. Remember, even the most seasoned professionals were once interns who needed guidance and mentorship to succeed. 🙍♀️ Empowering Maternal Women Returning to Work: Many women take breaks from their careers to raise families, a noble and challenging endeavor in itself. However, when they decide to return to the workforce, they often face obstacles and biases. As a society, we must provide these women with the support and resources they need to transition back into the professional world. This can include flexible work arrangements, mentorship programs, and acknowledgment of their unique skills developed during their time away. By offering opportunities and recognizing their potential, we can harness the talents of maternal women and promote gender diversity in the workplace. 👥 Supporting Those with Health or Family Challenges: Life can throw unexpected challenges our way, whether it's health issues or family responsibilities. People who have faced such challenges and are now ready to re-enter the workforce should not be overlooked. Employers should create inclusive environments that accommodate these individuals. Flexible work schedules, reasonable workload expectations, and understanding colleagues can make a significant difference. Rather than exploiting their situations by offering lower salaries or pushing them to work under undue pressure, let's provide a nurturing and supportive atmosphere that allows them to thrive. #secondchances #womenempowerment #workculture  #managers #humanity #workethics #worklifebalance #work #culture #wfh #hybridwork #hybrid 

“According to my research, this is what reverse ageism can look like: More senior or experienced employees overlooking feedback from younger colleagues on projects. Seasoned employees assuming that younger colleagues can’t be trusted with important tasks. Or younger colleagues being the target of stereotypical age assumptions.” Diversity isn't just a buzzword—it's our foundation. At The Ayers Group, we're dedicated to creating a workplace that honors the uniqueness of each individual, fostering an environment where innovation and creativity flourish. #DEI #diversityequityinclusion #ageism #reverseageism #jobmarket #career #jobsearch #labormarket #youngerworkforce #workforce #genz #millennial

Hello summer(s)!! We know. You’re busy. You don’t have enough time. And sometimes, you just don’t feel like engaging with people whom you don’t know. You’ll go to that summer event when you have to/want to. But taking time to say hello and get to know the summers can seem like it’s just not that important right now. In this moment. If you are in that boat – this post is for you. A simple hello can go a long way! If you extend a warm greeting and make them feel welcome from day one, you’re setting a positive tone for their experience and demonstrating a culture of inclusion. You’re signaling that the summer isn’t just a short-term visitor but that they are a future colleague and that they already belong. Ultimately, creating a sense of belonging will take more than saying hello on their first day (and then retreating to your usual circles). Inclusion requires engagement and a willingness to step outside our comfort zones. Ideally, you’ll take some time to get to know the summer associates—ask about their backgrounds, interests, and career aspirations. Invite them to participate in meetings, social events, and networking opportunities. As Maya Angelou said, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." So, let's start by saying hello.

Dear network, Over the past couple of months, I have had the wonderful opportunity to complete an internship at Make Mothers Matter. In this post I would like to share some of the most valuable lessons which I have drawn from this experience:   1.      More diversity = More perspectives. The organization attempts to provide an inclusive work environment, in which everyone's voice can be heard. As a result thereof, the focus on diversity and equality in many of the projects in which I cooperated really allowed me to draw inspiration from this work environment and apply the valuable insights and perspectives, which I gained from conversations with colleagues and peers, to reality. The beauty in this, to me, is that often times I approached these exact topics from a different angle initially, but through learning about a variety of different perspectives I was able to steer and adjust my own approach where needed. 2.      Be the change you want to see. Because the organization Make Mothers Matter incorporates many values which are very dear to my heart such as respect for a healthy family dynamic and equality, I found that by interning in this organization I got a chance to act and contribute to a changing society in the direction which pleases my moral conscience. Therefore, I can proudly say that this internship was not only an academic and professional journey for me but also a personal one. I believe that by making this contribution as an intern, however small this might have been, I represented my values in actions and not just in words. 3.      There is pride in setting an example of exception to stereotypes. As a male I worked in a predominantly female work environment. By doing so I felt a sense of pride to break this stigma of “male and female jobs”, which oftentimes neglect individual merits for the respective job. As I felt proud to work at this organization which interests me and has benefited me because of all of the reasons listed within this post, especially the eye-opening perspectives inspired by diversity, so should everyone be able to feel in a field which interests them, irrespective of whether they do or do not fit the stereotypical demographic for a certain job.   While I have learned much more during this experience, these were the most valuable life lessons which I can attribute to this internship. On another note I had the fantastic opportunity to contribute to EU advocacy work, academic articles, court cases, and many more great stuff, all in the spirit of making the world a better place.   Finally, I would like to thank Make Mothers Matter - MMM and the whole team for their guidance and support during these past couple of months, I truly enjoyed this internship.

I participated in a panel yesterday, focusing on inclusivity and belonging in the workplace. The audience was filled with college students. There was a question asked - how we as panelists and employers foster an environment of belonging for employees? As we’re going down the line of panelists it gets to me - I said, “If there’s one thing you can take from our responses here, please do not be afraid to leave a company if you feel like you DON’T belong.” Apparently it resonated with a few and I sensed a sigh of relief from others in the room. It is not on you as an employee to force yourself to feel like you belong. It is okay to take off the rose colored glasses and accept that this may no longer be the place for you. It’s on companies and leaders to foster that environment, not you to “blend in”. After my response, I sat there reflecting and said to myself, dang wish I heard this advice when I first started out my career. But even better, I get to share it with those who have yet to enter the workforce. Find the company that cultivates that environment. I promise you, they’re out there. If you interned there, you didn’t love the culture and they invite you back for another internship or full-time role, do not be afraid to decline. If you’re currently in role, and are not feeling supported or feel you’re an outsider, it’s okay to make the decision to seek an opportunity elsewhere. If it’s not for you, it’s not for you! #belongingatwork

MONDAY TIP OF THE DAY Starting the week with intention means fostering a supportive and internally safe environment. Let's embrace the CARES+ Framework for this: Communication: Begin with open dialogues that prioritize understanding and empathy. Accessibility: Ensure emotional and mental well-being resources are within everyone's reach. Resources: Surround yourself with tools and people that instill confidence and peace of mind. Systems and Processes: Set up processes that emphasize respect, trust, and mutual support. Implementation: Consistently nurture an environment where everyone feels safe to share and be themselves. + (Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion): Recognize and value the diverse emotions and backgrounds in your space, creating an inclusive haven for all. "A truly supportive environment isn't just physically safe; it's a sanctuary for the heart and mind." Let's set the tone for a week where everyone feels seen, heard, and cherished. #CARESPlus #InternalSafety #MondayMotivation

Diversity and inclusion have taken center stage in today’s workplace. Employers are recognizing the importance of building a team that is reflective of different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences. Not only does this help create an inclusive culture but also leads to better problem solving, innovation growth, higher employee satisfaction and improves overall productivity. Companies now understand that diversity and inclusion initiatives start much before recruitment by providing diverse internship roles as well as creating specific campus placement programs targeting underrepresented groups to ensure equal representation at all levels throughout their organization. Let's continue making progress towards a more equitable tomorrow! #diversityandinclusion #workplacediversity #creativeworkspace #companyculture #employeefulfillment #genderneutrality #workplaceprogressivism #businessasusual

🌞 The Season of Second Chances 🌞 Summer is more than just warm weather and vacations; it's a time for new beginnings and opportunities. As we enjoy the sunny days, let's also focus on giving people a chance to shine. Why Giving People a Chance Matters: 🌟 Fresh Perspectives: Everyone brings unique insights that can spark innovation and growth. 🌟 Empowerment: Opportunities empower individuals, helping them develop skills and confidence. 🌟 Community Impact: Supporting others strengthens our community and fosters a sense of belonging. 🌟 Diversity: Embracing diverse backgrounds and experiences enriches our lives and work environments. Let's make this summer a time of growth, opportunity, and positive change. Together, we can create a brighter future by opening doors for those who need it most. #SummerOpportunities #SecondChances #CommunitySupport #Empowerment #Diversity

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Part 1 of 2 It’s not a mystery that African fathers are seen crying only at their daughters’ weddings. The sight of this is such a beautiful one, especially since they put up such a solid front all their lives. While that singular act is a proof of their love for their daughters, it is also a pointer to something else and it’s the fact that they refuse to admit or acknowledge that their baby girls are no longer babies. This is especially harder if the said child stayed at her parents house until she was ready to get married. Parents see you grow up but when it’s time to make a radical decision, they find it hard to reconcile with the fact that you’re at that stage of making such decisions, hence the tears. Similarly, in the professional realm, starting one's career at an organization, perhaps as an intern, can lead to a similar dynamic. Despite inevitable growth and development, employers may struggle to see beyond the image of the inexperienced intern they once knew. This can inadvertently limit an employee's advancement within the organization. Just as marriage or moving out signals a significant life transition, so too does the decision to move on from an organization. While it may be difficult for both parties to accept, leaving for new opportunities is not only a natural part of career progression but also a crucial step in demonstrating personal growth and competence. This is one of 2 parts as the goal of the post isn’t to lean towards one part over the other, it is to open our eyes to what we might not have taken note of. Share your thoughts in the comments and anticipate the part 2. Have a lovely weekend #friday #employeelongevity #thoughtleader