Gen X had the largest percentage of workers (30%) who said they have difficulty understanding their coworkers — more than other generations.  Some of the most used slang words found their way into the vocabulary of multiple generations. For example, Baby boomers and Gen X are both using the slang word “bummer,” while Millennials and Gen Z both use the texting abbreviation “OMG.” The top three trending slang words at the time of the study were Ghosted, Sus, and Savage. The modern global workforce is incredibly age-diverse. No matter what industry you look at, four very unique generations ..read more

American cities like Tulsa, Topeka, and states like West Virginia are offering financial incentives, including cash payments and social perks, to attract remote workers as a strategy to bolster local economies and reverse population decline. Incentive programs often require the remote worker to commit to living in the area for a set period and include additional benefits like free recreational activities and coworking space access. While the initiatives show potential for positive local economic and community impact, individuals and policymakers must consider long-term sustainability and incl ..read more

Internships are often seen as an important step for kickstarting young professionals’ careers. However, new LinkedIn data shows how internship programs also greatly benefit employers’ attraction and retention strategies as well.   The research, published by LinkedIn’s Economic Graph team, found college graduates who have completed internships are 22.9% more likely to secure full-time employment within six months post-graduation compared to their non-interning peers.   Moreover, many of those graduates end up landing an employment opportunity with the company they already in ..read more

U.S. Senators Mitt Romney and Joe Manchin introduced the “Back to Work Act” (S. 4266) on May 7, a bipartisan bill which proposes limiting telework for federal employees at 40% of their total work hours.  According to a report published by the Government Executive, this legislation comes as a response to concerns about the productivity and local economic impacts of widespread remote work adoption — despite recent efforts to improvement skills-based recruitment and geographic diversity within the federal workforce.  A report last month revealed a drastic decrease in physical office pre ..read more

U.S. Department of Labor data published on Thursday reveals unemployment claims in the U.S. have surged to their highest level since last August — reaching a reported 231,000 in the week ending May 4.   According to a report published by Reuters, the significant increase of 22,000 from the previous week was also the largest in nearly four months.  This uptick not only surpassed the median estimated by a Bloomberg survey of economists, which had around 212,000 claims, but also signals potential shifts in the labor market that could impact future employment trends this year.  ..read more

Makerspaces emerged as innovative areas where people can design, prototype, and create physical objects — combining elements of community workshops, studios, and classrooms.  A significant investment is required to establish and maintain a makerspace, and safety protocols are critical given the use of potentially hazardous equipment. These factors must be weighed against potential benefits. While a makerspace can offer opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and practical hands-on work, there are also potential downsides like noise, space requirements, and the equitable use of resou ..read more

Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) are highly unsatisfied with their performance management systems, and the sentiment is shared by employees.  According to a recent Gallup survey only 2% of CHROs from Fortune 500 companies “strongly agree that their performance management system inspires their employees to improve.”  Moreover, only 20% of employees say their performance reviews are “transparent, are fair, or inspire better performance.”  Using the national Gallup survey, which involved 18,665 U.S. employees, experts boiled down the data to three critical areas that require ..read more

The success of the U.S. manufacturing sector hinges on how well it attracts and retains Generation Z — a demographic that values greater flexibility, early career growth opportunities, and meaningful work over traditional jobs.   According to a report published by McKinsey & Company, these challenges are not just in manufacturing. Industries worldwide face high turnover rates and skills shortages.   Understanding and adapting to the needs of young workers would be an impactful way forward to achieving long-term sustainability and growth.  Manufacturers are currentl ..read more

Hybrid work is the current trend, with many employees preferring to keep this arrangement, creating uncertainty about the future of office spaces. Economic indicators suggest a mismatch between the supply of and demand for office spaces, posing financial challenges for real estate. Future remote work patterns may lead to reduced office needs, altering financial strategies and potentially impacting company cultures and real estate markets. Let’s start with a disclaimer: I am not an economist. However, I’ve been involved in the workplace industry for about fifteen years and, like many others ..read more

The shift to remote work is not just about adopting new technologies, but also about embracing a new mindset.  In a remote work setting, where physical cues and face-to-face interactions are absent, consistently reinforcing core values helps maintain a strong team rapport and a shared sense of purpose, which are vital for long-term success in a remote work environment. By prioritizing core values, effective communication, and strategic use of technology, businesses can thrive in a remote or hybrid environment. Can remote work really improve productivity? Sean Maguire, President of Syniv ..read more