
Workplace Culture News
The latest workplace culture stories, summarized by AI
Featured Workplace Culture Stories


Market Uncertainty and Political Tensions Shake UK Economy
The article discusses the acceptability and implications of crying at work, highlighting that showing emotion can be a sign of strength and authenticity rather than weakness. It emphasizes that modern workplaces are increasingly recognizing emotional intelligence as valuable, and encourages supportive responses from colleagues and managers. While some biases still exist, being genuine and resilient is often more important for career progression than maintaining a stoic facade.

More Top Stories
"Gen Z Redefines Work Culture, Challenging Managers"
Fortune•1 year ago
"Millennials Embrace 'Quiet Vacations' to Counter In-Person Work Stress"
Fortune•1 year ago
More Workplace Culture Stories
The Impact of Gen Z on Email Communication, Consulting, Work Attitudes, DEI Efforts, and Mentoring
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Business Insider

Gen Zers are reshaping office culture by rejecting formalities and opting for more informal ways of communication. They are shunning emails in favor of platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams, which offer faster and more convenient communication. Many Gen Zers find the expectation to keep things "formal" at work challenging and are rebelling against traditional work culture. This shift is causing a culture clash with older generations and challenging workplace norms. Gen Z's preference for informal communication channels is forcing organizations to reconsider their reliance on email and adapt to new ways of working.
"Cracking the Code: Unveiling Toxic Workplace Language and Employee Stress"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by YourTango

A former corporate professional has identified eight examples of coded language used in toxic workplaces that can cause employee stress. These phrases, such as "we're kind of slammed" and "assume positive intent," often have hidden meanings that indicate issues like work avoidance, authoritarian power dynamics, and gaslighting. The use of coded language can be particularly confusing for neurodivergent individuals. It is important for employees to be aware of these red flags and seek clarity when needed, as effective communication is crucial in a healthy work environment.
"Banking Regulator's 'Party Culture' Exposed: Sexual Harassment Complaints and Strip Club Invites"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Fox News

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is facing backlash after a report by The Wall Street Journal exposed a "party culture" within the agency, including incidents of sexual harassment, strip club invitations, and lewd photos. The report revealed instances of supervisors engaging in inappropriate behavior, such as having sex with employees and sharing explicit images. The FDIC's heavy drinking culture was also highlighted, with an 11-story hotel serving as a party hub. The agency has faced criticism for its handling of failed financial institutions. Former employees have spoken out about the toxic atmosphere and lack of advancement opportunities. The FDIC has not yet responded to the allegations.
The Loneliness Epidemic: Insights from Caroline Ellison's Testimony in the Sam Bankman-Fried Trial
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Forbes

The testimony of Caroline Ellison in the fraud trial against FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried sheds light on the close-knit inner circle of young people who ran FTX and Alameda Research, highlighting their pursuit of a higher mission and the sense of community they found in the workplace. Research shows that young people today are more likely to feel lonely and see work as core to their identity. To address this, employers should prioritize interpersonal connections, recruit for cultural cohesion, and stand for values that resonate with younger workers. By fostering a sense of community and purpose, companies can attract and retain young talent.
Navigating Toxic Workplaces: Signs, Solutions, and Self-Preservation
Originally Published 2 years ago — by USA TODAY

Mental health experts warn that phrases like "we're a family here" and being love bombed in a job interview can be red flags of a toxic workplace. Other signs include boundary violations, such as requiring labor outside of work hours, a culture of gossip or bullying, colleagues taking credit for your work, and having a manager with a short fuse. Toxic workplaces can have detrimental effects on mental health, leading to depression, anxiety, burnout, and more. It is important for employees to communicate their boundaries and stand up for themselves in these situations.
The Misery and Love-Hate Relationship with Blind and Anonymous Forums
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Business Insider

Redfin CEO, Glenn Kelman, referred to anonymous forums like Blind as "places of pure misery," but also acknowledged their value in allowing employees to "speak truth to power." Blind, a popular forum among tech workers, provides a platform for anonymous company reviews and private/group chats. Blind's cofounder, Kyum Kim, highlighted the need for a third-party forum where workers can have transparent discussions about work without fear of repercussions. However, some companies, like Meta, discourage employees from posting on Blind due to concerns about mental health. The Blind team initially struggled to gain traction but found success in Seattle by engaging with Amazon employees.
"Gender Discrimination Lawsuit Targets Pokémon Go Developer Niantic"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Kotaku

Niantic, the developer of Pokémon Go, is facing a lawsuit alleging a "systemic sexual bias" against women employees. The lawsuit claims that the company devalues the work of its female employees, favors male employees, underpays women, and pushes out those who speak out against these conditions. The plaintiff, a former employee, discovered she was being paid less than a male colleague in a lower job title. The lawsuit also highlights a hostile response from management when concerns about sexism and pay inequity were raised. Niantic's Chief Marketing Officer allegedly required the removal of references to a "Boys Club" and other comments about sexism from an employee resource group's presentation.
"Cracking the Code: Unveiling the Unspoken Work Rules Your Boss Keeps Hidden"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by BuzzFeed

Redditors share a variety of unspoken work rules for 2023, including not taking on caregiving tasks unless men do it too, trusting the quiet experts over the chatty ones, observing office dynamics before pushing for social events, discussing salaries to ensure fair pay, accepting training even if you already know it all, not being bought out by pizza, taking all vacation days, being cautious about sharing personal information, arriving on time in jobs that involve replacing others, and using company benefits to the fullest.
The alienating effect of workplace jargon on Gen Z and Millennials
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Register

A study by LinkedIn and Duolingo found that almost half of Millennials and Gen Z employees feel "less involved" due to the overuse of workplace jargon, which they find difficult to understand. The survey also revealed that 69% of young workers believe their colleagues speak in too much jargon at work, while only 38% of older workers feel the same. The study warns that this language barrier may be "driving a wedge between generations" and could have dire consequences professionally, with 46% admitting that misunderstanding certain terms led them to make a mistake at work.