Labor Day is considered “the unofficial end of summer,” and to celebrate, 34% of Americans plan to travel, according to data from TripAdvisor’s Labor Day travel survey. Of those traveling, the majority (63%) are opting to drive.

In addition to holiday travel, Labor Day is also known as a weekend of discount shopping, as many retailers sharply markdown their inventory. WalletHub even went so far as to keep track of American’s biggest retailers for over a year to identify the best deals and money-saving tips.

But Labor Day was not traditionally a holiday to shop, travel, and commiserate the end of summer. Labor Day is the result of the 19th century labor movement and was made a national holiday to celebrate the country’s workforce.

At Access/Information, we know that a talented, engaged workforce is a direct contributor to overall business growth. And in honor of Labor Day, we have compiled our best blog posts on the modern-day workforce:

As advancements in personal computing continue to push industries all over the globe in new directions, the business sector is being hit with another adaptation of technology adoption touted as the gig economy. A new anytime, anywhere workforce is emerging that seeks to redefine traditional offices, while redrawing the landscape of work-life balance. This is not a trend to ignore.

Properly done, onboarding introduces new hires to your company culture, rules, and procedures in order to prepare them to be successful and productive. Employees who don’t understand their role have higher turnover and lower morale. Are there ways that you can improve your onboarding process and increase the likelihood that your new employees will be successful?

Subject matter experts (SMEs) are individuals in your organization that have special in-depth knowledge. They are the go-to people marketing departments and development teams rely on to provide background information as well as technical analysis to gain better understanding of customer needs while providing predictive insights into demand.

Job pressure is the number one cause of stress in the US. Prolonged and chronic stress can lead to burnout which is characterized by physical and emotional exhaustion, cynicism, detachment, or feelings of inadequacy.

While there have been differing opinions on the actual measured return on investment for corporate wellness programs, work-life balance is becoming a priority among the workforce. At Access/Information, we have incorporated desks with the option to sit or stand, and other office furniture that works to support ergonomics. We also make it a point to celebrate the life events and accomplishments of our teammates.

With the need for multi-skilled workers on the rise, the Society for Human Resource Management reports that it is becoming more difficult for organizations to attract the best talent. Organizations are facing increased competition in the job market, which is affecting compensation and benefits strategies.

Only 32.9% of US employees are actively engaged in their jobs, according to Gallup. Employee disengagement still costs the economy about half a trillion dollars annually. Research shows that there is a strong correlation between employee training and engagement.

Millennials, who have an aspiration for a more authentic workplace, enter the workforce with the desire for a greater level of flexibility, freedom, and autonomy. When considering a new position, Millennials place more emphasis on the culture of the company, the people, the end product, and the mission than they do the salary.

How are you celebrating this Labor Day?