September 2025
According to the World Economic Forum, 70% of skills used in most jobs will change by 2030, and many experts are now proponents of becoming a generalist, rather than a specialist at work. General knowledge can promise adaptability and provide a resilient backbone in the face of a volatile market, but that doesn’t mean specialization has to pigeonhole workers– employers can integrate cross-training opportunities and interdepartmental communication to diversify talent. (Fast Company)
An estimated $23 billion annually is lost to absenteeism, turnover, and disengagement linked to depression, substantiating poor mental health as a core work issue as opposed to merely a personal one. Gen Z workers present the highest rates of loneliness of all age groups, requiring workplaces to proactively create mental health benefits and connection strategies. (Gallup)
“Quiet cracking” is an emerging trend where workers are not disengaging by choice (quiet quitting), but rather constraint, as a result of economic uncertainty and reduced job mobility. These workers want to perform, but feel mired in a stagnant role. Prevalence of quiet cracking may result in a silent productivity crisis. Leaders should emphasize transparent communication and consider outlining career pathways. (Business Insider)
In a recent survey of 8,000 UK adults, 40% of Gen Z report feelings of loneliness with remote work. This isolation is felt particularly among social media influencers, and is causing an influx of applicants for more traditional roles. Organizations should create onboarding programs with intentional touchpoints for in-person communication and account for the lack of in-office experience. (The Times)
In light of the FAA’s vacancy crisis, with a shortage of around 3,000 air traffic controllers due to dismal conditions, The Society for Human Resource Management suggests five qualities for a successful work culture: honest and unbiased management, civility, meaningful work, open communication, and empathy. Leaders should ensure that their organization's values are put into practice and not simply stated. (Forbes)
Black women—who account for 12% of the federal workforce—are being hit especially hard by the mass layoffs. Once viewing the public sector as a haven for job stability and equitable pay, Black women are losing trust in it and looking for jobs in the private sector, a process which on average takes over six months– longer than any other group. Employers who fail to rebuild trust, equity, and belonging risk long-term damage to engagement, reputation, and workplace diversity. (The Guardian)
Perhaps society has been too dismissive of face tattoos… E-tattoo technology may be the next frontier in workplace culture, allowing mental strain to be the measurement for clocking out rather than hours worked. If implemented with trust, transparency, and safety regulation, e-tattoos could revolutionize how organizations approach employee productivity and well-being. (Newsweek)