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The data from this year’s research by Grant Thornton indicates that the progress achieved so far on women in senior management is fragile. There has been a dramatic decrease in the percentage of female CEOs, including a 15pp drop in CEOs who are women in the United States, a 14pp drop in China, and an 8pp drop in the UK between 2023 and 2024. Without determination to change, then the progress made will be at risk of not just plateauing but slipping back. Businesses have a clear opportunity to take actionable, tangible steps, and follow the three pathways to accelerate towards parity.

Running a family-owned business is no easy feat. Among the many challenges is determining the right salary and compensation structure for top executives. And the topic of pay is a sensitive one when it involves the founder, family members, and other stakeholders.

As the U.S. economy continues its turbulent path toward a soft landing, businesses are generally seeing a reduction in unemployment and turnover. Unfortunately, employers will face increased pressure from the employee benefits expense line, which will be fraught with challenges over the next 12 to 24 months. By taking a strategic approach to benefits planning and navigating the upcoming challenges, employers can stay on top of key issues in healthcare, compliance, and benefits.

People are critical to a family office’s long-term success. However, recruiting top talent continues to be a great challenge when there’s a shortage of top talent in a tight labor market. Compounding the problem, many family offices lack robust training and development plans to prepare next-generation family members and existing employees to step into key roles. As capability needs evolve, updating role descriptions for employee recruitment is key. Intentional skill development, career pathing, and creative compensation can help retain top talent.

The growing use of video and automated technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), in employment practices—and the concern that the technology may foster discrimination and bias—has triggered a wide array of regulatory efforts. At least 11 statutes have been introduced targeting the use of AI-related technology to assist with employment decisions. Employers should take note of enacted and proposed legislation and consult with legal counsel before implementing automated employment technologies.

Family offices continue to be the preferred way for ultra-high net worth individuals and families to manage assets and to support the goals and legacy of their family. But with more than 14,000 family offices across the globe facing new challenges and complexities, raising concerns about whether their operating model is providing the transparency and efficiency needed to be successful today while being flexible for tomorrow.

In this interview, attorney John Litchfield of Foley & Lardner’s Labor & Employment group discusses the key considerations family offices should keep in mind when it comes to domestic workers in the family office environment. Along with insights on household staff salary and wage treatments in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), John defines who qualifies as a domestic worker and the legal implications of hiring one.

Organizations can fuel growth by planning for their specific human capital training and talent development needs. In this conversation on human capital, get to know the key considerations for companies to successfully align their human capital strategies with business objectives. Learn the importance of aligning talent development plans with future business needs, focusing on roles of the future. And see how workforce planning, automation, virtualization, and hybrid work environments can optimize capabilities and support future organizational growth.