(BPT) - A recent report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that U.S. employment is projected to grow by 8.4 million jobs from 2018 to 2028. At the same time, employers are battling an ultra-competitive job market, in which candidates are being wooed by increased pay and enhanced medical benefits.

Today’s smartest employers are thinking more creatively about how to attract talented workers and encourage them to stay. Many are partnering with large landlords to include next-level amenities in their workspaces.

Today’s employers are focused on:

1. Transportation

A well-located workplace is a major selling point for attracting potential employees and retaining existing ones. Employers with a central location, easily accessible by public transportation, already have an advantage. For example, The Legacy Town Center office in Plano, Texas, boasts transit drop-off and pick-up at the building.

For environmentally minded employees who bike to work, secure bike storage is a real plus. The office tower at 201 Spear St. in San Francisco anticipates the needs of the area’s environmentally conscious workforce with bike storage and EV car charging stations, plus easy access to light rail.

Accenture Tower in Chicago sits above Ogilvie Transportation Center, one of the main suburban train stations connecting downtown Chicago to the suburbs, providing direct access to city trains, buses and expressways. The first two levels of the property are composed of 80,000 square feet of retail space, with more than 45 stores and restaurants.

2. Wellness

Beyond providing competitive healthcare plans, employers are seeking new ways to encourage and support employees’ health-related activities — a focus that contributes to less absenteeism and greater productivity. For example, Park Place Village in Leawood, Kansas, has massage therapy on-site for all of its tenants.

Many major office owners are adding state-of-the-art fitness centers. 3001 Washington Blvd. in Arlington, Virginia, features workout studios offering barre, yoga and HIIT performance classes in its eight-story, LEED Gold-certified Class A office building. And at Accenture Tower, the building includes a two-level fitness center spanning 14,000 square feet, with a basketball court, group exercise classes and new tenant lounge with air hockey, shuffleboard and wine lockers.

3. Convenience

For employees with busy schedules, it can be tough to find enough time in the day to take care of necessary errands. Workers are especially drawn to locales that provide day-to-day services everyone needs without even having to walk outside.

Some office buildings go a step beyond. For businesses at RBC Plaza in Minneapolis, employees can use the U.S. Postal Service, on-site bank, a sundry shop and even a shoe repair/shoe shine service. But it doesn’t stop there. Other services offered in the building include a car wash and detailing service, and private wine lockers. And in the Carillon office tower in Charlotte, North Carolina, there's an on-site daycare for parents.

4. Ambiance

Beyond location and service-based amenities, today’s employees are increasingly demanding a workplace with a beautiful atmosphere, which often includes access to outdoor spaces. Building designers are taking note, providing more open spaces, skylights and/or atriums for a lighter, more welcoming work environment.

For example, The McEwen Building in the Cool Springs submarket of Nashville, Tennessee, offers employees and visitors an outdoor sitting area complete with a fountain and plush landscaping, while 3003 Washington Blvd. in Arlington, Virginia, has a rooftop terrace with stunning views of Washington, D.C.

5. Employee engagement

With Generation Z workers about to enter the workforce, today’s employers also understand the power of creating engagement within their team, especially among young professionals. Next-level office amenities can increase employee satisfaction and deepen their connection to their employer.

For instance, RBC Plaza in Minneapolis offers a billiards lounge, as well as a cafe and coffee shop, while Preston Commons in Dallas, Texas, and 201 Spear St. in San Francisco both have on-site bars, giving office workers places to unwind and congregate after work.

KBS, one of the largest owners of office buildings in the nation, has partnered with many of America’s companies to support recruitment and retention by buying well-located offices and infusing them with state-of-the-art amenities. To learn more, visit kbs.com.

Due to their consistent presence in our lives and the fact that impressionable people such as children tend to take cues from them, celebrities are often thought of as role models. Even if a celebrity denies this status or obligation, it can be hard for their audience not to not hold them up to exaggerated expectations. If you look to celebrities as role models, these are some things to be aware of.

Their Image May Be Manufactured

Celebrities often seem to be utterly poised, to have the most attractive appearance and to make the wittiest observations in interviews. In most cases, however, these aren't qualities they were just born with. Celebrities and their teams strive to create an image of being relatable and likable. This effort shouldn't necessarily be viewed unfavorably, and many celebrities are naturally charismatic, but people ought to use discretion in considering how a celebrity is able to charm the public through practiced communication skills.

Your Idea of Them May Get Destroyed

There have been plenty of celebrities whose reputations have been shattered due to incredibly disturbing revelations about their behavior. Even if something is just hearsay, it can still be quite unsettling. The latest celebrity gossip can range from the strange to personal issues that may bring you down. To better support your self-esteem, you should learn to detach yourself from what celebrities do. It can be difficult to find out someone you admire has done some very bad things, but it's easier when you don't have sky-high expectations of them.

You're Accountable for Your Actions

Regardless of your influences, you must hold yourself accountable for your own actions. If you do something wrong and your only defense is that a celebrity also did it, you'll be making a flawed argument that will not absolve you. You should discuss this with your children since young people often have trouble recognizing that bad behavior isn't okay just because a famous person displays it. If you have this conversation after someone famous is exposed for doing something wrong, the impression will stick with your kids for a long while.

When you place a celebrity on a pedestal, you can forget that they're merely human and that their wealth and fame don't prevent them from making mistakes. Remembering this can help to keep your beliefs and actions in check. While it's fine to admire celebrities for their exceptional qualities, make sure you're not holding them to a standard no one could possibly meet.

Looking for more advice on how to help your children become the best adults they can? Read 5 Ways to Empower Kids to End Bullying next.

6 Keys to Success in Business and Life

(Family Features) It's not always easy staying organized. Life is busy, chaotic and fast-moving. Although it can be easy to get discouraged at times, there are ways to enhance organization and attitude through the peaks and pits life throws at you.

Carol Lavin Bernick, former executive chairman of beauty conglomerate Alberto Culver, published "Gather As You Go: Lessons Learned Along the Way," a book sharing insights she's learned through her many roles as a corporate leader, working mother, philanthropist and founder of the nonprofit organization Enchanted Backpack. Bernick offers these tips to be ready for the good times and difficult situations, highlighting the importance of loving what you are doing in both business and life.

1. Attitude is Key
   A person who is passionately committed to the success of his or her business - who has an "I-can-do-it" attitude - is more likely to succeed. One person can make a difference, and it's up to you to demonstrate you are one of those people.
    
2. If You Never Fail, You Will Never Grow
   If it's always comfortable and easy, you can't know the big win. When challenged and stretched, you may have a greater chance to learn. Reach out, get involved and take a risk. Oftentimes, the best talent has multiple experiences to share and on which to reflect.
    
3. Credibility is Everything
   Some of the most important career-saving words are "I don't know." Never fake it. If you're wrong, admit it and correct it. If you've made a mistake, fix it and learn from it. If it's going to take some time to find an answer, set a timetable and stick to it.
    
4. Complaining Gets You Nowhere
   People, especially in business, simply do not want to hear complaints. If you are frustrated, it is probably best to keep quiet and figure out how you can fix whatever it is, and if you can't change it, try changing how you think about it and alter your mindset.
    
5. Give Back
   Communities are not perfect. They are the responsibility of business, government and citizens. If you don't commit to making a difference, you're instead leaving the burden to others.
    
6. Nice Guys Don't Finish Last; They Win
   Aggressive and passionate shouldn't equate with unpleasant. The higher you rise, the more pleasant and understanding you typically need to be. Never underestimate the importance of being thankful and the value of recognition. Ego has no place in business. If you have one, try to lose it.

Find more tips and inspiration at gatherasyougo.com.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

SOURCE:
Gather As You Go