January 2023
As social and civic life continues to dwindle, the workplace has emerged as a crucial interpersonal outlet for millions of Americans, with more than half saying that they have met a close friend through their own or their spouse’s work. Acknowledging this expanded role of the workplace in both the professional and personal lives of Americans is key to fostering employee well-being, an engaged workforce, and a healthy corporate culture. (The Survey Center on American Life)
While most types of unethical workplace behavior declined (or saw vanishingly small increases) during the pandemic, reports of bullying jumped a startling 13 points. Remote work could be a driving factor here – harmonious coworker relationships can be more difficult to cultivate remotely, and employees may feel isolated or ostracized in a situation where leadership does not consciously foster an inclusive environment. (Ethisphere)
Gen Z is the age group least likely to report misbehavior in the workplace, with nearly 40% saying that they did not report observed misconduct (compared to 31.8% of Millennials and 27.6% of both Xers and Boomers).This reluctance to report misbehavior is not due to apathy or carelessness, but rather because these younger workers unfortunately have the least confidence in their employer’s anti-retaliation policies. (Ethisphere)
Ever since computers became a fixture of the white collar workplace, younger employees have been seen as the most tech savvy – first Xers, then Millennials – but this pattern may no longer hold true for Gen Z. While the newest hires are more accustomed to digital environments and social media platforms, they lack the experience with basic computing tasks and tools that previous generations grew up with. (WorkLife)
In 2022, fully 44% of workers ages 18-34 reported having spent more than three years with their current employer. With the exception of a temporary increase during the Great Recession, this number has changed very little since 1983 – over the last four decades, an average 43% of younger workers reported the same three-plus year job tenure. (Pew Research)
While critics of corporate monitoring software (accurately) claim that these systems damage employee morale and initiative, the accuracy of “bossware” is also increasingly being called into question. The software can track mouse jiggles or take snapshots from time to time, however when it comes to measuring productivity, there is simply no way for a program to take into account valuable, non-digital work. (Fast Company)
“The Phone Lady” consultancy has found a market for helping younger workers overcome their “phone phobia,” charging nearly $500 an hour for the service. Older generations may find the premise baffling, but founder Mary Jane Copps claims that she is meeting a very real need: “[Younger generations] have never had the skills given to them…[they] were never taught anything about talking on the phone, and people have removed phones from their homes." (Business Insider)
Crissie Hoskins, a creative executive with a decade-long tenure, makes a compelling case for paid, corporate sabbaticals after recently testing out her company’s newest perk. Calls for improved work-life balance amidst a tight labor market have led many employers to implement policies aimed at protecting workers from burnout and improving retention, particularly among valuable long-term employees. (Business Insider)