Homebase and UKG, which offer time-management and payroll services, issued separate analyses indicating employment hasn’t increased in states that ended federal unemployment benefits early. Twenty-six states withdrew the federal assistance in June and July, ahead of the official Sept. 6 expiration date. Economists believe other factors, like Covid fears, care responsibilities and early retirements, play a larger role than benefits in a lack of job searches.
We’ve emerged from this tunnel of darkness wiser about ordinary, everyday life habits, but we’ve also distanced ourselves from others. This distancing is both physical and emotional. One unfortunate consequence of the pandemic is the division in beliefs. First, there was the controversy over wearing masks, with some people adamantly resisting. And more recently, the vaccine has caused its fair share of conflict, specifically, the tension between anti-vaxxers and those who have embraced the drug.
Some companies have already begun allowing employees back to the office, while others are just starting to consider what a return will look like. No matter what stage you are in, determining your workplace of the future should be driven by the needs of your employees. The Covid-19 pandemic served as a moment of clarity for employees. Many found increased flexibility and productivity by working remotely and don’t want to return to the office. Others realized they thrive with face-to-face collaboration in the office without the distractions they may encounter at home.
Many Black women, especially mothers, have had to take on coronavirus-related financial stresses as the sole or primary breadwinners of their households.
By 2025, it's reported that Millennials will make up 75% of the workforce, effectively replacing Boomers and drastically reducing the representation of Generation X. Instead of labeling Millennials as flaky and unengaged (can we please do away with these types of biases?), it’s time to give them what they want. In other words, let’s effectively mentor them to lead with integrity and courage as they take their place on top of the economy.