In 2023, “efficiency” and “productivity” were favored buzzwords among CEOs, as companies focused on boosting profitability amid tougher economic conditions.

Going into the next year, measuring the success of these efforts is apparently a big focus for HR leaders, too. When Lattice surveyed more than 1,050 HR pros in July and August, 38% ranked “performance management” as one of their highest priorities in the next year, according to a report released on Dec. 5 by the HR tech company. That’s 11 percentage points higher than 2022, when 27% of HR pros ranked performance management as a high priority.

Employee engagement also ranked as a top HR initiative for the third year in a row, with 38% of respondents identifying this as one of their highest priorities.

Keep reading here.—CV

As global warming continues, scientists, corporations, and startups are working against the clock to find solutions. Carbon capture technology is widely known as a potential fix, but there are repercussions.

This Tech Brew article dives into the world of climate tech and gives details on what certain parties are doing to invent and innovate existing carbon capture technology, and ultimately, the controversy behind it. Get the scoop now, right here.

A new year is almost upon us, bringing with it new challenges and opportunities for HR pros as they look to hire and retain top talent.

HR Brew checked in with five people leaders to get their thoughts on what they predict will be the biggest recruitment and retention trends in 2024.

“In terms of trends, so many companies are bringing their employees back to the office, but I’m really looking at the advantage and leveraging the marketing of being fully remote. I think that gives us a talent and sourcing advantage. So, that’s one thing I’m looking at building for 2024.”—Sherri Manning, CPO at Olo

Keep reading here.—AS

Today’s top HR reads.

Stat: Workers say they’re overburdened if they spend more than two hours a day in meetings. Four hours is the ideal amount of focus time, according to those surveyed. (Slack)

Quote: “When it was changed, it was probably one of the happiest days since Blake passed.”—Tom Barklage, a Johnson & Johnson employee whose son Blake passed away, on the company’s decision to increase bereavement leave from the national average of five days to 30 (Bloomberg)

Read: How unionized staff at the New Yorker responded to recent layoffs at the magazine. (the Washington Post)