All articles tagged with #workplace policies
The article highlights the impact of menopause on women's health and careers, emphasizing the need for open conversations, supportive workplace policies, and better healthcare awareness to reduce the menopause penalty and retain women in the workforce.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai sent a memo to employees, emphasizing that the workplace is not a platform for political debates or disruptive actions, following the firing of 28 workers who protested the company's ties to Israel. The protests, part of a "No Tech for Genocide Day of Action," led to arrests and terminations. Pichai's message came after Google's vice president of global security criticized the protesters for their behavior, stating that it violated company policies. The fired staffers were affiliated with a group critical of Google's involvement in a $1.2 billion contract with the Israeli government.
The CDC is reportedly considering changing its COVID-19 isolation guidance, potentially advising people to rely on symptoms instead of a set isolation period. This change, if implemented, could impact workplace policies and the spread of the virus, particularly affecting vulnerable individuals. Some experts express concerns about treating COVID-19 more like the flu and the potential risks posed by this approach.
The ABK Workers Alliance has criticized Activision Blizzard's decision to end hybrid working for its QA testers, stating that it will harm vulnerable employees and result in more layoffs. The Alliance highlighted that many employees had already requested permanent work-from-home arrangements due to disability or financial issues, but these requests were denied or inadequately accommodated. The decision will also have a financial impact on employees who live far from the offices and have been commuting long distances. The Alliance emphasized that a one-size-fits-all approach is detrimental and called for individual consideration of employees' needs. This is the latest controversy between Activision Blizzard and its QA teams, following previous charges and unionization efforts.
Amazon has informed its corporate employees that those who do not comply with the company's return-to-office mandate, requiring at least three days of in-person work per week, may not be eligible for promotions. Managers are responsible for ensuring compliance and VP approval will be required for employees who fail to adhere to the policy. This move comes amid tensions between Amazon and its corporate workforce, with some employees protesting the return-to-office requirement and criticizing the company's handling of layoffs. Amazon's stance on remote work has evolved since the start of the pandemic, initially favoring an office-centric culture but later implementing the RTO mandate for improved collaboration and company culture.
A new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals a mental health crisis among health workers, with nearly half reporting feeling burned out in 2022, up from under a third four years prior. The report also highlights a doubling of health workers reporting harassment at work. Health workers face worse mental health outcomes compared to employees in other industries. The findings come after the largest healthcare worker strike in US history, where 75,000 employees cited burnout and chronic staffing shortages. The CDC calls for immediate preventive actions, including improved workplace policies and practices, supportive work environments, and encouraging employee participation in decision-making.
A new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals a "mental health crisis" among health workers, with nearly half reporting burnout in 2022, up from under a third four years prior. The report also highlights a doubling of health workers experiencing harassment at work. Health workers face worse mental health outcomes compared to other industries, and previous research has shown an increased risk of suicide among healthcare workers. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated workplace challenges, leading to a rise in mental health complications, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation. The study emphasizes the need for improved workplace policies and practices to prevent burnout and mental health issues among health workers.
Amazon has updated its return-to-office guidelines, allowing managers to effectively fire employees who do not comply with the company's three-times-a-week office attendance mandate. Managers are instructed to hold private conversations with non-compliant employees, document the discussions, and take disciplinary action, including termination, if necessary. The move comes after significant opposition from employees who were hired as remote workers during the pandemic and see the return-to-office policy as a shift from previous flexibility. Amazon's CEO has warned that resistance to the mandate will not be tolerated, and the company claims that the majority of employees are now in the office more frequently, with exceptions made on a case-by-case basis.
The concept of a day off for painful periods, known as period leave, has gained traction in various countries and companies since 2017. While some express concerns about its impact on employee commitment and value, others argue that it promotes gender equity and employee wellness. GoZoop, a pioneering company in implementing period leave, continues to offer the policy. Spain became the first European country to institute period leave, and similar policies exist in China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Zambia, and Mexico. In India, several private companies and government bodies have adopted period leave policies, with advocates emphasizing the importance of recognizing women's health and promoting inclusivity in the workplace.
Meta (formerly Facebook) has implemented a strict return-to-office (RTO) mandate, requiring employees to work in the office at least three days a week starting September 5. The company will track attendance through badge tracking and monthly evaluations, with non-compliance potentially leading to termination. Remote work will be limited, and employees approved for remote work can only come into the office a few days per quarter. The new policy aligns Meta with Amazon's stringent RTO rules, while Google has faced employee frustration over similar requirements. Mark Zuckerberg's shift towards a more Wall Street-focused approach has resulted in a departure from his previous support for remote work.
The recent Supreme Court decision on race-conscious admissions in higher education is expected to have practical implications for corporate diversity policies. While the ruling does not directly impede employers from pursuing diversity in the workplace, experts believe it will discourage companies from implementing ambitious diversity policies or prompt them to rein in existing ones due to potential lawsuits. The decision may lead to increased scrutiny of policies that were already on questionable legal ground, such as leadership acceleration programs or internship programs limited to underrepresented minority groups. Conservative groups have been challenging corporate diversity policies, and more lawsuits are expected if companies do not comply with demands to limit their diversity and inclusion efforts. Overall, companies face a greater threat of litigation over discrimination against minority groups than against white individuals.
The Supreme Court has ruled that companies are guilty of discrimination unless they accommodate employees from any policies that burden their religious practices, making it more difficult for companies to defend themselves by showing an "undue hardship." This decision is likely to lead to a wave of litigation, with employees suing their employers to block corporate policies they disagree with. The court's decision is part of a broader strategy within a conservative legal movement that has soured on corporate America and seeks to prioritize the rights of religious conservatives over others.
Google is formalizing its in-office policies and may include compliance with return-to-office policies in performance-review conversations for consistently absent workers. The company already required most employees to come to the office three days a week, but Chief People Officer Fiona Cicconi said in a note to staffers that Google was going to be "clearer" about that requirement. While some Google employees are approved to be remote, the company is hoping some will change their stance. The Alphabet Workers Union criticized the company's latest moves.
Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon has been suspended for two games without pay and the team will lose its 2025 first-round draft selection for violating league and team workplace policies, following a WNBA investigation into claims made by former Aces forward Dearica Hamby, who said the team discriminated against her for getting pregnant after she was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks in January. The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) said the WNBA penalties had missed “the mark.”
The WNBA has rescinded the Las Vegas Aces' 2025 first-round draft pick and suspended coach Becky Hammon for two games after an investigation found the team violated league rules regarding impermissible player benefits and workplace policies. The team violated rules by promising impermissible benefits during contract extension negotiations for former player Dearica Hamby, and Hammon violated Respect in the Workplace policies by making comments to Hamby in connection to her pregnancy. The Aces do not have a 2024 first-round selection due to a prior trade.