Start an employee resource group for parents by setting goals, determining parents' needs, building on existing programs and having employees share their experiences, writes Daisy Dowling, CEO of Workparent. "Pick specific actions that would be the most immediately feasible and the most powerful in developing your ERG," Dowling writes.

Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard says everyone should work to end sexism and discrimination, even as women should take the lead when they can. "I know life's complicated, can be pressurized and not every woman can do this all of the time, but over your years of leadership, to whatever extent you can, use that knowledge and that voice to make a difference and make more space for women," Gillard says.

The pandemic has led to a 50% increase in business and freelance registrations over the past six months and a 24% year-over-year increase in sales for freelance marketplace Upwork, which is switching its focus to larger, long-term work versus short-term gigs. "People have shifted not just their notions about remote work in this moment of crisis, but also their long term views of how remote work will fit into their organizations," says CEO Hayden Brown.

Korn Ferry's survey of executives within Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies reveals 98% say organizational purpose galvanizes collaboration between leaders; 81% use client listening to shape strategies; 90% say their leaders are able to turn uncertainty into opportunity; and 85% say leaders quickly learn from failures. Korn Ferry's Maggie Patrick and Mark Royal offer lessons from these companies on how to be effective at organizational transformation.

Job losses in sectors such as restaurants and government, along with child care closures and virtual schooling, have pushed many women out of the workforce and prevented them from rejoining. The result could mean reduced lifetime earnings, less saved for retirement and lower economic output across the US, and women could continue to be affected for years to come.

Women remain underrepresented at all management levels and it could be 2070 before they achieve equal representation at the executive level if current trends continue, according to a study by The Myers-Briggs Co. Myers-Brigg's John Hackston explains how personality, and in particular the "thinking" or "feeling" decision-making factors described in its assessment, affect women's career advancement and urges employers to explore solutions.

Human bias can influence data-based tools, but awareness and mitigation can help HR teams use data successfully while minimizing bias, writes Heather Whiteman, a former General Electric HR executive. Organizations should define what "fairness" means, connect it to the business and the available technology, and regularly audit for said fairness, she writes.

The current climate has inspired many leaders to diversify their organizations, but many may not be aware that failure to focus on diversity and inclusion can also equate to retention issues. Executive level minority and women leaders said they felt the need to move on to another company if they wanted to progress in their careers, according to DDI's Diversity and Inclusion Report 2020, which also offers three ways to support D&I strategies.

In observance of Thanksgiving in the US, NEW SmartBrief will not publish Thursday, Nov. 26. Publication will resume Dec. 3.