Avoid ‘Re-Entry Shock’ with Return to Work, SHRM CEO Tells TODAY Show

Easing back into work after a summer vacation? SHRM President and Chief Executive Officer Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, appeared on the TODAY show on Sept 10. to chat about the annual return to work as summer vacations wind down—and the “re-entry shock” that often accompanies it. To top it off, many employees are adjusting to this return alongside their children, who are dealing with going back to school.

To support employees who are going back to work this fall, businesses should offer access to resources, including:

• Developmental opportunities.
• Leadership training.
• Wellness training.
• Mental health resources.

When businesses demonstrate this level of care, employee engagement and retention will increase as a result.

Watch the Full Discussion

Taylor also shared his thoughts on the future of work, including the rise of artificial intelligence and the growing age diversity in the workforce. “We have, for the first time in our nation’s history, six generations in the workplace,” Taylor said.

To ensure that all employees feel a sense of belonging and purpose, Taylor said employers should recognize generational work preferences:

• Generation Z and Millennials tend to prefer technology-centered roles and collaboration, so companies should organize team-building activities where these employees can connect across generations on common goals.
• Generation X and Baby Boomers tend to value strategic thinking and structured programs, so companies should start mentorship programs to give these employees a chance to share their industry knowledge with their younger peers.

One thing every generation of the workforce shares is the struggle to learn how to work alongside AI. When it comes to AI adoption, we’re all still learning—the public version of ChatGPT is less than 2 years old. Taylor said AI is redesigning, not replacing, HR jobs.

“AI is not here to replace you; it’s to complement you,” Taylor noted. “As we make it clear to employees that this requires human intelligence, it’s not to replace you, then you’ve got to teach people to give us feedback on the challenges of AI.”