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Improving Job Retention: The Sustainable Workforce Model

Monday, September 18, 2017, 10:00 - 11:45 AM

The Sustainable Workforce Model is a job retention effort for entry-level workers, including those recently placed into jobs by workforce training providers. Once a community member finds a steady job, their concerns do not end, as they must navigate a new set of challenges, including child care, transportation, employer benefits, taxes, and making ends meet with a modest income. This model seeks to address these challenges through the leadership of employers who collaborate to offer a set of work-life navigation services as a benefit to their frontline staff. These services help workers minimize work disruptions, decrease absenteeism, improve financial stability and ultimately increase retention and advancement.

The endeavor benefits employees, employers, and, ultimately, the community at large by increasing employee financial stability, boosting employee engagement, and bolstering productivity for companies with frontline workers.

This year, the Rockefeller Foundation awarded a grant to launch WorkLab Innovations, a national expansion of the Sustainable Workforce Model. WorkLab Innovations offers technical assistance, best practices, and thought-leadership to communities and organizations replicating the “workforce sustainability” model of its four founders – WorkLife Partnership (Denver), THE SOURCE (Grand Rapids), Working Bridges (NW Vermont), and Connect for Success (Seattle/Tacoma).

At this Maryland Philanthropy Network program, we will hear about this model from Laura Roberts of the Rockefeller Foundation and Liddy Romero of the Denver-based WorkLife Partnership.

SPEAKERS