February 2021
A union has formed at Google: The “Alphabet Workers Union” hopes to address traditional labor issues like pay and safety as well as higher-level concerns like the ethics of research and software development. This unionization, a rarity for white-collar Silicon Valley firms, could signal the start of a concerning trend for brands that have long championed themselves as encouraging open discussion and intellectual dissent among employees. (The Verge)
Although only 37% of all Millennials reported being engaged at work last year, that number spiked to 75% among one group in particular. Using this data, researchers have isolated the salient variables that leaders can use to boost engagement: Allow employees to work remotely (when possible), keep them informed, and make sure that they feel well-prepared. (Gallup)
Joe Biden has tapped Boston Mayor Marty Walsh to be the next U.S. Labor Secretary; Welsh will be the first union member to serve as labor secretary in nearly 50 years. This appointment follows a decade of improving public opinion on unions and has been taken as a signal of the new administration’s pro-worker agenda. (Politico)
The first wave of Millennials are turning 40 this year, a statistic that prompts triple takes from Boomers and Xers who are used to thinking of this generation as “youth these days.” While the press has focused on the legal implications of being over the hill, employers should keep in mind that yesterday’s coachable new hires quickly become dependable, skilled workers, often looking for a different type of professional support as they grapple with middle age. (The Washington Post)
A recent op-ed muses about Gen Z’s alleged inability to craft a professional email. The piece focuses on issues in academia but the takeaways certainly extend to the workplace as well: In recent years, managers, bosses, and older co-workers have all bemoaned the lack of soft skills in the latest crop of hires. (The Guardian)
Despite high unemployment and a broad pool of remote talent, 40% of employers say they are struggling to fill technical positions. Companies that implement successful reskilling programs in these growth areas will be well-positioned as the competition for highly-skilled digital workers heats up. (Politico)
A majority of both employees and executives agree that remote work has been implemented successfully at their organizations, with most reporting improved productivity throughout the pandemic. However, many still believe that an office is key for collaboration and relationships, leaving managers without a clear answer to the question: “What does a successful return to the office look like?” (PricewaterhouseCoopers)
Joe Biden is the first member of the Silent Generation to occupy the Oval Office, a generational surprise given that the presidency skipped from G.I. George Bush Sr. directly to Boomer Bill Clinton almost 30 years ago. The average age of politicians, C-level executives, and even the U.S. electorate has been rising for decades as part of a demographic trend largely driven by the size difference between the aging Baby Boomer cohort and “Baby Bust” Generation X that follows. (The Washington Post)