The latest episode of the Governing Health podcast gets back to basics: the board’s responsibility for monitoring the impact of key economic trends and indicators. McDermott partner Michael Peregrine welcomes special guest John Challenger, CEO of executive outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, who recently appeared on the Today Show and is one of the foremost thought leaders on the US economy and workforce. Together, John and Michael delve into today’s top economic issues and their significance for health system board governance.

Today’s “million dollar question:” How long is the economy expected to grow, and when should the finance committee look for signs of a recession?

Like canaries in a coal mine, the early warning signs of a slow-down are already present—if you know where to look. The current job creation statistics and record low unemployment numbers signal a tight job market for skilled workers. Companies may start to put expansion plans on hold for fear of being unable to recruit enough skilled workers to staff new plants or operations. “You can’t get to this full of an employment situation without the risks of a recession starting to grow,” John said. “Two years from now, it seems inevitable we’re going to be in some kind of recession.”

What are the governance ramifications of the most recent unemployment and job creation statistics?

Despite low unemployment and competition for skilled workers, wages are not going up. The board should engage with HR executives and recruiters [...]

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