September 2021
Pfizer’s FDA approval has triggered a wave of employers mandating vaccines for their workers. Some of the nation’s largest employers (Walmart, McDonald’s, Disney, etc.) have been swift and strict with their new requirements, while other companies have opted for leniency, seeking an uncomfortable middle ground by choosing instead to impose restrictions or surcharges on employees who remain unvaccinated. (Bloomberg)
Bosses have been opting out of the traditional “corner office” for several years, but the trend has only accelerated as workplace designers plan for the open-concept, collaborative spaces most suitable for hybrid work. Pragmatic and no-frills, Gen X managers have brought about this change, doing away with Boomers’ rigid hierarchies in favor of flat organizational structures. (Digiday)
This recent period of high turnover among dissatisfied employees, dubbed by Gallup as “The Great Resignation,” seems to be fueled largely by younger workers bristling at a return to the office. While only 36% of Baby Boomers, long accustomed to the daily grind, say they question the wisdom of returning to the office, that number rises to 45% among Gen X and 55% among Millennials, the generation most committed to maintaining work-life balance. (The New York Times)
The oldest Millennials are hitting their peak earning years (generally ages 35-54), but their lifestyles are still a far cry from those of previous generations entering mid-life. This generation has a debt-to-income ratio 23% higher than expected, lower levels of household wealth, and many are catching up on delayed (but expensive!) life events like buying a home or having children — all factors that squeeze their budgets and shrink their discretionary incomes. (The Wall Street Journal)
Silicon Valley has been experimenting with lower pay for remote workers based on where they live, with Google even going so far as to offer employees a calculator that allows them to see how a move would affect their paycheck. This new style of compensation has proven extremely unpopular among employees, many of whom say it is unfair and non inclusive; it will likely lead to future issues with hiring, retention, and diversity. (Yahoo! Finance)
More than a third of remote workers are still waiting to find out when and how often they might be expected to return to the office. Planning and communication are key, and this certainly isn’t a decision to leave to the last minute: Over half of remote workers say they would need more than a week to prepare for a return to the office. (CNBC)
Facing a mass exodus of service sector employees, major companies like Walmart and Target have begun offering a unique benefit: A free college education. Corporate partnerships with universities and contributions to tuition are nothing new, but the practice is becoming increasingly common in light of mounting evidence that employees who take advantage of education benefits are more productive and stay on longer with their employers. (Vox)
Although there is ample evidence that productivity does not suffer when employees are working remotely and businesses have shown a remarkable enthusiasm for flexible work policies, remote employees in hybrid offices may still end up getting the short end of the stick. Companies hoping to allow their workers to choose where they work should be aware of biases that favor in-office employees and avoid policies that would stratify their workers. (The Wall Street Journal)