tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67446838865398523562024-03-28T06:28:27.022-07:00JobAdvisor - Get the Job You Deserve.Get the job you deserve following our articles. Start Your Dream Job Now!Anne Sulzbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17091067031029918700noreply@blogger.comBlogger6876125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744683886539852356.post-81117460420548459082024-03-28T06:27:00.000-07:002024-03-28T06:27:27.802-07:00It’s a bittersweet Easter for chocolate lovers and African cocoa farmers but big brands see profits<p><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9p1z07dzXhT7uTWlu9QIrY4Uo1ItCEAwAueyvpEbFVSLTbJnleN6AhcefZPhSW1rA90nDD-SP2SFdsB8qhkXb1rsQXD0d_YMAeLDG6XPOcuGe3Fv51URHgOC26hZGza7_CgUAaHCD94uEWBvGq-IjN-ZCkUJZznL0_lxWMsOMorHsb5J1qktuIAfOvs/s1833/imrs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1833" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9p1z07dzXhT7uTWlu9QIrY4Uo1ItCEAwAueyvpEbFVSLTbJnleN6AhcefZPhSW1rA90nDD-SP2SFdsB8qhkXb1rsQXD0d_YMAeLDG6XPOcuGe3Fv51URHgOC26hZGza7_CgUAaHCD94uEWBvGq-IjN-ZCkUJZznL0_lxWMsOMorHsb5J1qktuIAfOvs/w502-h640/imrs.jpeg" width="502" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;">(AP) — Shoppers may get a bitter surprise in their</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span class="LinkEnhancement" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA" href="https://apnews.com/hub/easter" previewlistener="true" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); touch-action: manipulation;">Easter</a></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;">baskets this year. Chocolate eggs and bunnies are more expensive than ever as changing climate patterns eat into global cocoa supplies and the earnings of farmers</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span class="LinkEnhancement" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA" href="https://apnews.com/article/child-labor-lawsuit-cocoa-human-rights-africa-f8d3c8c74d66b5745e1d77e1dfc178d0" previewlistener="true" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); touch-action: manipulation;">in West Africa</a></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;">.</span></span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">About three-quarters of the world’s cocoa — the main ingredient in chocolate — are produced on cacao trees in Ghana, Ivory Coast, <span class="LinkEnhancement" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA" href="https://apnews.com/article/chocolate-deforestation-cocoa-farming-nigeria-08b396be56cc65d08c950f61308539d3" previewlistener="true" style="background-color: transparent; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); touch-action: manipulation;">Nigeria</a></span> and Cameroon. But dusty seasonal winds from the Sahara were severe in recent months, blocking out the sunlight needed for bean pods to grow. The season prior, heavy rainfall spread a rotting disease.</span></p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center="" style="align-items: center; background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-size: 18px; justify-content: center; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: 40px 0px; width: 663.333px;"><div class="Enhancement-item" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; justify-content: center; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); width: 663.333px;"><div class="ImageEnhancement" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); min-width: calc(100% + 80px);"><figure class="Figure" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: 0px;"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-ea0000" name="image-ea0000" style="background-color: transparent; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-link-text); 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box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);" type="image/webp" width="767"></source><source height="511" loading="lazy" media="(min-width: 600px)" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/49c72f7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2362+0+0/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F8c%2F8f%2Fa12bf307a0f0d7704733417d349e%2Fa1647781940845689dc96f9ee6f4dca4 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/179312f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2362+0+0/resize/1534x1022!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F8c%2F8f%2Fa12bf307a0f0d7704733417d349e%2Fa1647781940845689dc96f9ee6f4dca4 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);" width="767"></source><source height="399" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/79fb8b6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2362+0+0/resize/599x399!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F8c%2F8f%2Fa12bf307a0f0d7704733417d349e%2Fa1647781940845689dc96f9ee6f4dca4 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/246d36e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2362+0+0/resize/1198x798!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F8c%2F8f%2Fa12bf307a0f0d7704733417d349e%2Fa1647781940845689dc96f9ee6f4dca4 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);" type="image/webp" width="599"></source><source height="399" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/b2d306a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2362+0+0/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F8c%2F8f%2Fa12bf307a0f0d7704733417d349e%2Fa1647781940845689dc96f9ee6f4dca4 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/eb9955e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2362+0+0/resize/1198x798!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F8c%2F8f%2Fa12bf307a0f0d7704733417d349e%2Fa1647781940845689dc96f9ee6f4dca4 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);" width="599"></source><img alt="A farmer opens a Cocoa pod in Divo, West-Central Ivory Coast, November 19, 2023. Chocolate may come with a slightly bitter aftertaste this Easter. Shoppers in Europe, the United States and elsewhere are paying more for their traditional candy eggs and bunnies as changing climate patterns in West Africa take a toll on cocoa supplies and farmers (AP Photo/Sophie Garcia)" class="Image" height="399" loading="lazy" src="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/b2d306a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2362+0+0/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F8c%2F8f%2Fa12bf307a0f0d7704733417d349e%2Fa1647781940845689dc96f9ee6f4dca4" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/b2d306a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2362+0+0/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F8c%2F8f%2Fa12bf307a0f0d7704733417d349e%2Fa1647781940845689dc96f9ee6f4dca4 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/eb9955e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2362+0+0/resize/1198x798!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F8c%2F8f%2Fa12bf307a0f0d7704733417d349e%2Fa1647781940845689dc96f9ee6f4dca4 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="599" /></span></picture><div class="Figure-content" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-primary-text); display: flex; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin-top: 10px;"><div class="Figure-content-text" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><bsp-read-more class="ReadMore ReadMore-expand" data-expand="ReadMore-expand" data-less-button-text="Read Less" data-limit="110" data-main-class="ReadMore" data-more-button-text="Read More" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); max-height: none !important; min-height: max-content; position: relative;"><figcaption class="Figure-caption" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-size: var(--caption-1); font-stretch: semi-condensed; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><p style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">A farmer opens a Cocoa pod in Divo, West-Central Ivory Coast, November 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Sophie Garcia)</span></p></figcaption></bsp-read-more></div></div></figure></div></div></div><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">With exports from the Ivory Coast, the world’s top producer, down by a third in recent months, the global price of cocoa has risen sharply. <span class="LinkEnhancement" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA" href="https://apnews.com/article/chocolate-easter-cocoa-inflation-ac64c923e13349c136df380ab5e1c842" previewlistener="true" style="background-color: transparent; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); touch-action: manipulation;">Cocoa futures</a></span> have already doubled this year, trading at a record high of more than $10,000 per metric ton in New York on Tuesday after rising more than 60% the previous year. Farmers who harvest cacao beans say the increases aren’t enough to cover their lower yields and higher production costs.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Yet the high Easter demand for chocolate carries a potential treat for big confectionery companies. Major global makers in Europe and the United States have more than passed on the rise in cocoa prices to consumers. Net profit margins at <span class="LinkEnhancement" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA" href="https://apnews.com/article/hershey-cocoa-valentine-chocolate-8c3e04f080b7d773470987dff1f9ca29" previewlistener="true" style="background-color: transparent; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); touch-action: manipulation;">The Hershey Company</a></span> increased to 16.7% in 2023 from 15.8% in 2022. Mondelez International, which owns the Toblerone and Cadbury brands, reported a jump to 13.8% in 2023 from 8.6% the year before.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“It is likely consumers will see a price spike on chocolate candy this Easter,” Wells Fargo said in a report this month.</span></p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-fullwidth="" style="align-items: center; background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-size: 18px; justify-content: center; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: 40px 0px; width: 663.333px;"><div class="Enhancement-item" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; justify-content: center; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); width: 663.333px;"><div class="ImageTwoUpEnhancement" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: grid; gap: 20px; grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); line-height: calc(1em + 4px); min-width: calc(100% + 80px);"><figure class="Figure" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: 0px;"><picture data-crop="twoup-3x2" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><source height="399" loading="lazy" media="(max-width: 599px)" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/37d2d18/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8108x5401+0+3/resize/599x399!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F4c%2Fa1%2F240099daee0871584668cb368d04%2F53a1bed61ebf425b92497e41dfc627ce 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/1eb42c7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8108x5401+0+3/resize/1198x798!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F4c%2Fa1%2F240099daee0871584668cb368d04%2F53a1bed61ebf425b92497e41dfc627ce 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);" type="image/webp" width="599"></source><source height="399" loading="lazy" media="(max-width: 599px)" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/d20e00a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8108x5401+0+3/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F4c%2Fa1%2F240099daee0871584668cb368d04%2F53a1bed61ebf425b92497e41dfc627ce 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/f5e827a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8108x5401+0+3/resize/1198x798!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F4c%2Fa1%2F240099daee0871584668cb368d04%2F53a1bed61ebf425b92497e41dfc627ce 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);" width="599"></source><source height="511" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/9cd372a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8108x5402+0+2/resize/767x511!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F4c%2Fa1%2F240099daee0871584668cb368d04%2F53a1bed61ebf425b92497e41dfc627ce 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/b3b9bd8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8108x5402+0+2/resize/1534x1022!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F4c%2Fa1%2F240099daee0871584668cb368d04%2F53a1bed61ebf425b92497e41dfc627ce 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);" type="image/webp" width="767"></source><source height="511" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/2880b68/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8108x5402+0+2/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F4c%2Fa1%2F240099daee0871584668cb368d04%2F53a1bed61ebf425b92497e41dfc627ce 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/3c8ab67/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8108x5402+0+2/resize/1534x1022!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F4c%2Fa1%2F240099daee0871584668cb368d04%2F53a1bed61ebf425b92497e41dfc627ce 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);" width="767"></source><img alt="Niaz Mardan moves a tray of luxury handmade Belgian chocolates at Sandrine a chocolate shop in south west London, Thursday, March 21, 2024. Niaz Mardan, is suffering due to high cocoa prices, she's making no profits and fears she will have to close the shop that's been around for 25 years (she's the third owner and took over in 2019). (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)" class="Image" height="511" loading="lazy" src="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/2880b68/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8108x5402+0+2/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F4c%2Fa1%2F240099daee0871584668cb368d04%2F53a1bed61ebf425b92497e41dfc627ce" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/2880b68/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8108x5402+0+2/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F4c%2Fa1%2F240099daee0871584668cb368d04%2F53a1bed61ebf425b92497e41dfc627ce 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/3c8ab67/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8108x5402+0+2/resize/1534x1022!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F4c%2Fa1%2F240099daee0871584668cb368d04%2F53a1bed61ebf425b92497e41dfc627ce 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="767" /></span></picture><div class="Figure-content" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-primary-text); display: flex; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin-top: 10px;"><div class="Figure-content-text" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><bsp-read-more class="ReadMore ReadMore-expand" data-expand="ReadMore-expand" data-less-button-text="Read Less" data-limit="110" data-main-class="ReadMore" data-more-button-text="Read More" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); max-height: none !important; min-height: max-content; position: relative;"><figcaption class="Figure-caption" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-size: var(--caption-1); font-stretch: semi-condensed; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Niaz Mardan moves a tray of luxury handmade Belgian chocolates at Sandrine a chocolate shop in south west London, Thursday, March 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)</span></figcaption></bsp-read-more></div></div></figure><figure class="Figure" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: 0px;"><picture data-crop="twoup-3x2" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><source height="399" loading="lazy" media="(max-width: 599px)" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/3e95a03/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7090x4723+0+2/resize/599x399!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ff7%2F08%2Fb8aee29f9ed47df877a62deb3983%2Fe4d926e2be2f44b9b5eae251d54c4b02 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/f132f7b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7090x4723+0+2/resize/1198x798!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ff7%2F08%2Fb8aee29f9ed47df877a62deb3983%2Fe4d926e2be2f44b9b5eae251d54c4b02 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);" type="image/webp" width="599"></source><source height="399" loading="lazy" media="(max-width: 599px)" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/d9085e5/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7090x4723+0+2/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ff7%2F08%2Fb8aee29f9ed47df877a62deb3983%2Fe4d926e2be2f44b9b5eae251d54c4b02 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/e9d3221/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7090x4723+0+2/resize/1198x798!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ff7%2F08%2Fb8aee29f9ed47df877a62deb3983%2Fe4d926e2be2f44b9b5eae251d54c4b02 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);" width="599"></source><source height="511" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/80be4d8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7090x4724+0+1/resize/767x511!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ff7%2F08%2Fb8aee29f9ed47df877a62deb3983%2Fe4d926e2be2f44b9b5eae251d54c4b02 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/526503a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7090x4724+0+1/resize/1534x1022!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ff7%2F08%2Fb8aee29f9ed47df877a62deb3983%2Fe4d926e2be2f44b9b5eae251d54c4b02 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);" type="image/webp" width="767"></source><source height="511" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/e250049/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7090x4724+0+1/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ff7%2F08%2Fb8aee29f9ed47df877a62deb3983%2Fe4d926e2be2f44b9b5eae251d54c4b02 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/e36e8b6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7090x4724+0+1/resize/1534x1022!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ff7%2F08%2Fb8aee29f9ed47df877a62deb3983%2Fe4d926e2be2f44b9b5eae251d54c4b02 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);" width="767"></source><img alt="Luxury handmade Belgian Chocolates are seen displayed at Sandrine a chocolate shop owned by Niaz Mardan, in south west London, Thursday, March 21, 2024. Niaz Mardan, is suffering due to high cocoa prices, she's making no profits and fears she will have to close the shop that's been around for 25 years (she's the third owner and took over in 2019). (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)" class="Image" height="511" loading="lazy" src="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/e250049/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7090x4724+0+1/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ff7%2F08%2Fb8aee29f9ed47df877a62deb3983%2Fe4d926e2be2f44b9b5eae251d54c4b02" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/e250049/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7090x4724+0+1/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ff7%2F08%2Fb8aee29f9ed47df877a62deb3983%2Fe4d926e2be2f44b9b5eae251d54c4b02 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/e36e8b6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7090x4724+0+1/resize/1534x1022!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ff7%2F08%2Fb8aee29f9ed47df877a62deb3983%2Fe4d926e2be2f44b9b5eae251d54c4b02 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="767" /></span></picture><div class="Figure-content" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-primary-text); display: flex; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin-top: 10px;"><div class="Figure-content-text" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><bsp-read-more class="ReadMore ReadMore-expand" data-expand="ReadMore-expand" data-less-button-text="Read Less" data-limit="110" data-main-class="ReadMore" data-more-button-text="Read More" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); max-height: none !important; min-height: max-content; position: relative;"><figcaption class="Figure-caption" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-size: var(--caption-1); font-stretch: semi-condensed; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Luxury handmade Belgian Chocolates are seen displayed at Sandrine a chocolate shop owned by Niaz Mardan, in south west London, Thursday, March 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)</span></figcaption></bsp-read-more></div></div></figure></div></div></div><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"></p><div class="HTMLModuleEnhancement" data-align-center="" style="--marginforextraspace: -20px; align-items: center; background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-size: 18px; justify-content: center; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: var(--marginForExtraSpace) 0;"><div class="HTMLModuleEnhancement-item" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; justify-content: center; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); width: 663.333px;"><div class="HTMLModuleEnhancement-embed" style="--color-video-bg: #fff; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); min-width: calc(100% + 80px);"><div class="HtmlModule" data-gtm-topic="No Value" data-main-module-number="1" data-module-number="1" data-module-tracksubscribe="" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><a class="AnchorLink" id="html-embed-module-e30000" name="html-embed-module-e30000" style="background-color: transparent; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-link-text); display: block; height: 0px; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); pointer-events: none; position: absolute; scroll-margin-top: calc(var(--headerHeight) + var(--hatHeight) + 20px); touch-action: manipulation; visibility: hidden;"></a><div class="taboola_readmore" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"></div><p class="embed-caption" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-primary-text); font-size: 13px; font-stretch: semi-condensed; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"></p></div></div></div></div><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Mondelez said it raised chocolate prices up to 15% last year and would consider additional price hikes to help meet 2024 revenue growth forecasts. “Pricing is clearly a key component of this plan,” Chief Financial Officer Luca Zaramella said in January. “Its contribution will be a little bit less than we have seen in 2023, but it is higher than an average year.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Hershey’s also raised prices on its products last year and has not ruled out making further increases. “Given where cocoa prices are, we will be using every tool in our toolbox, including pricing, as a way to manage the business,” Hershey Chairman, President and CEO Michele Buck said during a conference call with investors last month.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Consumer groups are keeping track. In the United Kingdom, British consumer research and services company Which? found that chocolate Easter eggs and bunnies from popular brands like Lindt and Toblerone cost about 50% more this year. It said some candy eggs were smaller, too.</span></p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center="" style="align-items: center; background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-size: 18px; justify-content: center; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: 40px 0px; width: 663.333px;"><div class="Enhancement-item" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; justify-content: center; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); width: 663.333px;"><div class="ImageEnhancement" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); min-width: calc(100% + 80px);"><figure class="Figure" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: 0px;"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-710000" name="image-710000" style="background-color: transparent; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-link-text); 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box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);" type="image/webp" width="599"></source><source height="399" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/f46b918/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2362+0+0/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F26%2F46%2F98677a7dbe6479a090e3549b36de%2Fc8c53d34b42b45e1ba934d7923c1c483 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/e7b79d6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2362+0+0/resize/1198x798!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F26%2F46%2F98677a7dbe6479a090e3549b36de%2Fc8c53d34b42b45e1ba934d7923c1c483 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);" width="599"></source><img alt="Cocoa beans dry in Divo, West-Central Ivory Coast, November 19, 2023. Chocolate may come with a slightly bitter aftertaste this Easter. Shoppers in Europe, the United States and elsewhere are paying more for their traditional candy eggs and bunnies as changing climate patterns in West Africa take a toll on cocoa supplies and farmers (AP Photo/Sophie Garcia)" class="Image" height="399" loading="lazy" src="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/f46b918/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2362+0+0/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F26%2F46%2F98677a7dbe6479a090e3549b36de%2Fc8c53d34b42b45e1ba934d7923c1c483" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/f46b918/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2362+0+0/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F26%2F46%2F98677a7dbe6479a090e3549b36de%2Fc8c53d34b42b45e1ba934d7923c1c483 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/e7b79d6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2362+0+0/resize/1198x798!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F26%2F46%2F98677a7dbe6479a090e3549b36de%2Fc8c53d34b42b45e1ba934d7923c1c483 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="599" /></span></picture><div class="Figure-content" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-primary-text); display: flex; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin-top: 10px;"><div class="Figure-content-text" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><bsp-read-more class="ReadMore ReadMore-expand" data-expand="ReadMore-expand" data-less-button-text="Read Less" data-limit="110" data-main-class="ReadMore" data-more-button-text="Read More" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); max-height: none !important; min-height: max-content; position: relative;"><figcaption class="Figure-caption" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-size: var(--caption-1); font-stretch: semi-condensed; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><p style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Cocoa beans dry in Divo, West-Central Ivory Coast, November 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Sophie Garcia)</span></p></figcaption></bsp-read-more></div></div></figure></div></div></div><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Cocoa is traded on a regulated, global market. Farmers sell to local dealers or processing plants, who then sell cocoa products to global chocolate companies. Prices are set up to a year in advance. Many farmers <span class="LinkEnhancement" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA" href="https://apnews.com/article/africa-business-west-ivory-coast-cocoa-farming-2ee8b03c12fb3c7112ac2902a0114466" previewlistener="true" style="background-color: transparent; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); touch-action: manipulation;">blame climate change</a></span> for their poor crops. Cacao trees only grow close to the equator and are especially sensitive to changes in weather.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“The harmattan was severe at the time the pods were supposed to develop,” Fiifi Boafo, a spokesperson at the Ghana Cocoa Board, said, referring to the cool trade winds that carry enough dust to block out the sunlight needed for the trees to flower and produce beans.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Months of rain also are being blamed for black pod disease, a fungal infection that thrives in cooler, wet and cloudy weather, and causes pods to rot and harden.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“While we have a good price today, that’s not it. The cacao hasn’t even produced any (fruit),” Eloi Gnakomene, a cacao farmer in Ivory Coast, said last month. “People say that we’ve had a bit, but those living over that way, they’ve had nothing.”</span></p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-fullwidth="" style="align-items: center; background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-size: 18px; justify-content: center; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: 40px 0px; width: 663.333px;"><div class="Enhancement-item" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; justify-content: center; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); width: 663.333px;"><div class="ImageTwoUpEnhancement" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: grid; gap: 20px; grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); line-height: calc(1em + 4px); min-width: calc(100% + 80px);"><figure class="Figure" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: 0px;"><picture data-crop="twoup-3x2" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><source height="399" loading="lazy" media="(max-width: 599px)" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/8aa1da3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2360+0+1/resize/599x399!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F50%2Fa8%2Fb79062b5f51b153785efd8891915%2F84c3bf88292f43fc9d08d398aa492b8e 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/941bf9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2360+0+1/resize/1198x798!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F50%2Fa8%2Fb79062b5f51b153785efd8891915%2F84c3bf88292f43fc9d08d398aa492b8e 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);" type="image/webp" width="599"></source><source height="399" loading="lazy" media="(max-width: 599px)" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/01a7f7b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2360+0+1/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F50%2Fa8%2Fb79062b5f51b153785efd8891915%2F84c3bf88292f43fc9d08d398aa492b8e 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/fc23fd0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2360+0+1/resize/1198x798!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F50%2Fa8%2Fb79062b5f51b153785efd8891915%2F84c3bf88292f43fc9d08d398aa492b8e 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);" width="599"></source><source height="511" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/3a1ba89/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2360+0+1/resize/767x511!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F50%2Fa8%2Fb79062b5f51b153785efd8891915%2F84c3bf88292f43fc9d08d398aa492b8e 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/e577560/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2360+0+1/resize/1534x1022!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F50%2Fa8%2Fb79062b5f51b153785efd8891915%2F84c3bf88292f43fc9d08d398aa492b8e 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);" type="image/webp" width="767"></source><source height="511" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/55fc40b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2360+0+1/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F50%2Fa8%2Fb79062b5f51b153785efd8891915%2F84c3bf88292f43fc9d08d398aa492b8e 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/60d688b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2360+0+1/resize/1534x1022!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F50%2Fa8%2Fb79062b5f51b153785efd8891915%2F84c3bf88292f43fc9d08d398aa492b8e 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);" width="767"></source><img alt="Cocoa pods hang on a tree in Divo, West-Central Ivory Coast, November 19, 2023. Chocolate may come with a slightly bitter aftertaste this Easter. Shoppers in Europe, the United States and elsewhere are paying more for their traditional candy eggs and bunnies as changing climate patterns in West Africa take a toll on cocoa supplies and farmers (AP Photo/Sophie Garcia)" class="Image" height="511" loading="lazy" src="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/55fc40b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2360+0+1/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F50%2Fa8%2Fb79062b5f51b153785efd8891915%2F84c3bf88292f43fc9d08d398aa492b8e" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/55fc40b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2360+0+1/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F50%2Fa8%2Fb79062b5f51b153785efd8891915%2F84c3bf88292f43fc9d08d398aa492b8e 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/60d688b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2360+0+1/resize/1534x1022!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F50%2Fa8%2Fb79062b5f51b153785efd8891915%2F84c3bf88292f43fc9d08d398aa492b8e 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="767" /></span></picture><div class="Figure-content" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-primary-text); display: flex; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin-top: 10px;"><div class="Figure-content-text" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><bsp-read-more class="ReadMore ReadMore-expand" data-expand="ReadMore-expand" data-less-button-text="Read Less" data-limit="110" data-main-class="ReadMore" data-more-button-text="Read More" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); max-height: none !important; min-height: max-content; position: relative;"><figcaption class="Figure-caption" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-size: var(--caption-1); font-stretch: semi-condensed; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Cocoa pods hang on a tree in Divo, West-Central Ivory Coast, November 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Sophie Garcia)</span></figcaption></bsp-read-more></div></div></figure><figure class="Figure" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: 0px;"><picture data-crop="twoup-3x2" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><source height="399" loading="lazy" media="(max-width: 599px)" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/b59c02b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4815x3207+0+1/resize/599x399!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F84%2Fef%2F3c3650c2175c3a8e3c733d4d4e96%2F1fb80e5a82e24bc19d7b8b2b59dd2a6d 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/4cd5673/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4815x3207+0+1/resize/1198x798!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F84%2Fef%2F3c3650c2175c3a8e3c733d4d4e96%2F1fb80e5a82e24bc19d7b8b2b59dd2a6d 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);" type="image/webp" width="599"></source><source height="399" loading="lazy" media="(max-width: 599px)" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/d01e3a0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4815x3207+0+1/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F84%2Fef%2F3c3650c2175c3a8e3c733d4d4e96%2F1fb80e5a82e24bc19d7b8b2b59dd2a6d 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/2d8888a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4815x3207+0+1/resize/1198x798!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F84%2Fef%2F3c3650c2175c3a8e3c733d4d4e96%2F1fb80e5a82e24bc19d7b8b2b59dd2a6d 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);" width="599"></source><source height="511" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/3d02919/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4815x3208+0+1/resize/767x511!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F84%2Fef%2F3c3650c2175c3a8e3c733d4d4e96%2F1fb80e5a82e24bc19d7b8b2b59dd2a6d 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/8b0fb7b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4815x3208+0+1/resize/1534x1022!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F84%2Fef%2F3c3650c2175c3a8e3c733d4d4e96%2F1fb80e5a82e24bc19d7b8b2b59dd2a6d 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);" type="image/webp" width="767"></source><source height="511" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/3e4bc02/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4815x3208+0+1/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F84%2Fef%2F3c3650c2175c3a8e3c733d4d4e96%2F1fb80e5a82e24bc19d7b8b2b59dd2a6d 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/ed9b0ec/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4815x3208+0+1/resize/1534x1022!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F84%2Fef%2F3c3650c2175c3a8e3c733d4d4e96%2F1fb80e5a82e24bc19d7b8b2b59dd2a6d 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);" width="767"></source><img alt="Luxury handmade Belgian Chocolates are seen displayed at Sandrine a chocolate shop owned by Niaz Mardan, in south west London, Thursday, March 21, 2024. Niaz Mardan, is suffering due to high cocoa prices, she's making no profits and fears she will have to close the shop that's been around for 25 years (she's the third owner and took over in 2019). (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)" class="Image" height="511" loading="lazy" src="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/3e4bc02/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4815x3208+0+1/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F84%2Fef%2F3c3650c2175c3a8e3c733d4d4e96%2F1fb80e5a82e24bc19d7b8b2b59dd2a6d" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/3e4bc02/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4815x3208+0+1/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F84%2Fef%2F3c3650c2175c3a8e3c733d4d4e96%2F1fb80e5a82e24bc19d7b8b2b59dd2a6d 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/ed9b0ec/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4815x3208+0+1/resize/1534x1022!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F84%2Fef%2F3c3650c2175c3a8e3c733d4d4e96%2F1fb80e5a82e24bc19d7b8b2b59dd2a6d 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="767" /></span></picture><div class="Figure-content" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-primary-text); display: flex; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin-top: 10px;"><div class="Figure-content-text" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><bsp-read-more class="ReadMore ReadMore-expand" data-expand="ReadMore-expand" data-less-button-text="Read Less" data-limit="110" data-main-class="ReadMore" data-more-button-text="Read More" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); max-height: none !important; min-height: max-content; position: relative;"><figcaption class="Figure-caption" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-size: var(--caption-1); font-stretch: semi-condensed; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Luxury handmade Belgian Chocolates are seen displayed at Sandrine a chocolate shop owned by Niaz Mardan, in south west London, Thursday, March 21, 2024.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)</span></figcaption></bsp-read-more></div></div></figure></div></div></div><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Opanin Kofi Tutu, a cacoa farmer in the eastern Ghana town of Suhum, said the shortfall in production coupled with higher fertilizer costs are making it difficult to survive. “The exchange rate to the dollar is killing us,” he said.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Chocolate isn’t even one of the traditions Tutu associates with Easter. “I am looking forward to my wife’s kotomir and plantain, not chocolates,” he said, referring to a local sauce prepared with cocoyam leaves.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">To help increase production, authorities are promoting education on farming methods that might mitigate the effects of climate change, such as the use of irrigation systems. The president of Ghana also has promised to step in to help farmers get a better deal.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“With the current trend of the world cocoa price, cocoa farmers can be sure that I will do right by them in the next cocoa season,” President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said last month.</span></p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center="" style="align-items: center; background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-size: 18px; justify-content: center; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: 40px 0px; width: 663.333px;"><div class="Enhancement-item" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; 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box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);" type="image/webp" width="599"></source><source height="399" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/33e4f26/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2362+0+0/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe9%2F0a%2F7a368cc7f650aa12104ceeea2068%2F69af0029d803417e9a0c29fed3e97d87 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/4725467/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2362+0+0/resize/1198x798!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe9%2F0a%2F7a368cc7f650aa12104ceeea2068%2F69af0029d803417e9a0c29fed3e97d87 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);" width="599"></source><img alt="Cocoa pods hang on a tree in Divo, West-Central Ivory Coast, November 19, 2023. Chocolate may come with a slightly bitter aftertaste this Easter. Shoppers in Europe, the United States and elsewhere are paying more for their traditional candy eggs and bunnies as changing climate patterns in West Africa take a toll on cocoa supplies and farmers (AP Photo/Sophie Garcia)" class="Image" height="399" loading="lazy" src="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/33e4f26/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2362+0+0/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe9%2F0a%2F7a368cc7f650aa12104ceeea2068%2F69af0029d803417e9a0c29fed3e97d87" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/33e4f26/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2362+0+0/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe9%2F0a%2F7a368cc7f650aa12104ceeea2068%2F69af0029d803417e9a0c29fed3e97d87 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/4725467/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3543x2362+0+0/resize/1198x798!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe9%2F0a%2F7a368cc7f650aa12104ceeea2068%2F69af0029d803417e9a0c29fed3e97d87 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="599" /></span></picture><div class="Figure-content" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-primary-text); display: flex; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin-top: 10px;"><div class="Figure-content-text" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><bsp-read-more class="ReadMore ReadMore-expand" data-expand="ReadMore-expand" data-less-button-text="Read Less" data-limit="110" data-main-class="ReadMore" data-more-button-text="Read More" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); max-height: none !important; min-height: max-content; position: relative;"><figcaption class="Figure-caption" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-size: var(--caption-1); font-stretch: semi-condensed; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><p style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Cocoa pods hang on a tree in Divo, West-Central Ivory Coast, November 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Sophie Garcia)</span></p></figcaption></bsp-read-more></div></div></figure></div></div></div><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The National Retail Federation, an American trade association, expects spending this Easter to remain high by historical standards despite rising candy prices. Its latest survey showed that consumers were expected to spend $3.1 billion on chocolate eggs and bunnies and other sweets this Easter, down from $3.3 billion a year ago.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">In Switzerland, home to the world’s <span class="LinkEnhancement" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA" href="https://www.eda.admin.ch/aboutswitzerland/en/home/gesellschaft/schweizer-kueche/schokolade.html" previewlistener="true" rel="noopener" style="background-color: transparent; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); touch-action: manipulation;" target="_blank">biggest consumers of chocolate per capita</a></span>, domestic consumption melted slightly last year, falling by 1% to 10.9kg per person, according to industry association Chocosuisse. It linked the dip to the rise in retail chocolate prices.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The nation’s signature chocolate maker, Lindt & Sprüngli, reported increased profitability, with margins rising to 15.6% from 15% a year earlier.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“Lindt & Sprüngli Group’s business model once again proved to be very successful in the financial year 2023,” it said in a statement this month, noting that prices increases accounted for most of the growth.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Yet some smaller businesses that sell chocolate are finding it hard to keep up with the spike in cocoa prices while their sales decline.</span></p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center="" style="align-items: center; background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-size: 18px; justify-content: center; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: 40px 0px; width: 663.333px;"><div class="Enhancement-item" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; justify-content: center; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); width: 663.333px;"><div class="ImageEnhancement" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; 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box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);" type="image/webp" width="599"></source><source height="399" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/6cbbcd7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7895x5263+0+0/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Faf%2F01%2Febdb5dc25f6b3e0f500da192d07a%2F27f75a6730c247d8a9265d8e56876492 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/064af19/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7895x5263+0+0/resize/1198x798!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Faf%2F01%2Febdb5dc25f6b3e0f500da192d07a%2F27f75a6730c247d8a9265d8e56876492 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);" width="599"></source><img alt="Niaz Mardan wraps a luxury handmade Belgian chocolate Easter egg at Sandrine a chocolate shop in south west London, Thursday, March 21, 2024. Niaz Mardan, is suffering due to high cocoa prices, she's making no profits and fears she will have to close the shop that's been around for 25 years (she's the third owner and took over in 2019). (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)" class="Image" height="399" loading="lazy" src="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/6cbbcd7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7895x5263+0+0/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Faf%2F01%2Febdb5dc25f6b3e0f500da192d07a%2F27f75a6730c247d8a9265d8e56876492" srcset="https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/6cbbcd7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7895x5263+0+0/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Faf%2F01%2Febdb5dc25f6b3e0f500da192d07a%2F27f75a6730c247d8a9265d8e56876492 1x,https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/064af19/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7895x5263+0+0/resize/1198x798!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Faf%2F01%2Febdb5dc25f6b3e0f500da192d07a%2F27f75a6730c247d8a9265d8e56876492 2x" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="599" /></span></picture><div class="Figure-content" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-primary-text); display: flex; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin-top: 10px;"><div class="Figure-content-text" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><bsp-read-more class="ReadMore" data-expand="ReadMore-expand" data-less-button-text="Read Less" data-limit="110" data-main-class="ReadMore" data-more-button-text="Read More" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); position: relative;"><figcaption class="Figure-caption" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-size: var(--caption-1); font-stretch: semi-condensed; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><p style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Niaz Mardan wraps a luxury handmade Belgian chocolate Easter egg at Sandrine a chocolate shop in south west London, Thursday, March 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)</span></p></figcaption></bsp-read-more></div></div></figure></div></div></div><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Sandrine Chocolates, a shop in London that sells handmade Belgian chocolates, is struggling to survive after decades in business. The owner, Niaz Mardan, said the U.K.'s <span class="LinkEnhancement" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA" href="https://apnews.com/article/cost-of-living-crisis-mortgage-costs-britain-0415c62d243a0c3fba65065e67d95623" previewlistener="true" style="background-color: transparent; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); touch-action: manipulation;">cost-of-living crisis</a></span> and weak economy leave people worrying more about food than luxury chocolate, especially when cheaper alternatives were available at big grocery stores.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">She has let go of her two employees and relies on sales at Easter and Christmas to stay afloat. “Many, many times, I thought to close the shop, but because I love the shop, I don’t want to close it,” Mardan, 57, said. “But there is no profit at all.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"></p><h2 style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 2.4rem; font-stretch: normal; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: 0px; padding-top: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">___</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: x-small;">Donati reported from Dakar, Senegal. AP journalists Courtney Bonnell in London, Damian J. Troise in New York and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed reporting.</span></p>Anne Sulzbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17091067031029918700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744683886539852356.post-21683318293559751122024-03-28T06:16:00.000-07:002024-03-28T06:24:44.191-07:004 Takeaways About Boeing’s Quality Problems<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="399" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C1RtAu40yKI" title="Family of Boeing whistleblower speaks out after his death" width="709"></iframe>
<p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Boeing, under intense scrutiny since a 737 Max 9 incident on Jan. 5, where a panel blew off mid-flight, faces significant pressure to enhance product quality and restore credibility. The company's struggle to maintain production amidst longstanding quality concerns has come to the forefront. Here are some key takeaways:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">1. **Quality Problems Span Years**: Former and current employees highlight a history of quality compromises to meet production demands, with practices like "inspector shopping" undermining procedures.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">2. **Improvement Efforts**: Boeing has denied allowing inspector shopping, vowing to boost quality inspectors by 20% since 2019, alongside increased per-plane inspections.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">3. **Competition with Airbus**: In a bid to outpace Airbus, Boeing faced challenges even before the Max crashes, with Airbus gaining ground post-crashes, intensifying Boeing's pressure to catch up.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">4. **Workforce Challenges**: Boeing's workforce underwent a major overhaul during the pandemic, losing seasoned employees and vital institutional knowledge, impacting production.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Cp0QaTDoas5JKKmDLQ_mNi9TkWp7glW5OuxpfUz8UOLVFYfwr84yzqSGQ-59fRYDFyNUbh2g5VeiwYIR0w-HA8umQOJp5oXLrat9AeZ59uYEpMZqxtlpWtWtPTnjbuLyHbjT86cWx6ueUFuPyuzGbwNPoDFnPTw7FSGpeBUj8Y4g_Rx7WuOIATX3xFI/s2048/00boeing-02-gkmz-superJumbo.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Cp0QaTDoas5JKKmDLQ_mNi9TkWp7glW5OuxpfUz8UOLVFYfwr84yzqSGQ-59fRYDFyNUbh2g5VeiwYIR0w-HA8umQOJp5oXLrat9AeZ59uYEpMZqxtlpWtWtPTnjbuLyHbjT86cWx6ueUFuPyuzGbwNPoDFnPTw7FSGpeBUj8Y4g_Rx7WuOIATX3xFI/w640-h426/00boeing-02-gkmz-superJumbo.webp" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">5. **Heightened Scrutiny**: Following the recent incidents, Boeing faces intensified regulatory scrutiny, with the FAA increasing factory inspections and a criminal investigation initiated by the Justice Department.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">6. **Boeing's Response**: Boeing has outlined various measures to enhance quality, such as additional inspections in Renton, discontinuing subpar Max bodies from suppliers, and prioritizing employee training.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">In response to the escalating challenges, Boeing is implementing sweeping changes in leadership, signaling a commitment to revamp its safety culture and address longstanding quality issues persisting within the company. </span></p>Anne Sulzbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17091067031029918700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744683886539852356.post-23514666497605773092024-03-28T06:02:00.000-07:002024-03-28T06:02:04.203-07:00US economic growth for last quarter is revised up slightly to a healthy 3.4% annual rate<p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiKuVtViO3KFqJ4QvpahDXTIJ6syPEAX4LaH8QXiuZZigkqAvk0YqKy0WP1I3yTqATNtdiEwv78lJhLkOU0qS0MWmlfvRuoq3GwztC37EPg-AQmMsOJD6JrDKfu_tBNVHcyiRTrWhMwAjjHH4ye8_x5DRhpK16VQJ6ljKnWmGxuYU9EQ8GZpe8-G2mQE/s1080/high-res-grunge-wallpapers-of-country-flags-v0-u4eh74c1w0rc1.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="1080" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiKuVtViO3KFqJ4QvpahDXTIJ6syPEAX4LaH8QXiuZZigkqAvk0YqKy0WP1I3yTqATNtdiEwv78lJhLkOU0qS0MWmlfvRuoq3GwztC37EPg-AQmMsOJD6JrDKfu_tBNVHcyiRTrWhMwAjjHH4ye8_x5DRhpK16VQJ6ljKnWmGxuYU9EQ8GZpe8-G2mQE/w640-h358/high-res-grunge-wallpapers-of-country-flags-v0-u4eh74c1w0rc1.webp" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /> <span style="background-color: white;">The U.S. economy grew at a solid 3.4% annual pace from October through December, the government said Thursday in an upgrade from its previous estimate.</span></span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The government had previously estimated that the economy grew at a 3.2% annual rate last quarter.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The Commerce Department’s revised measure of the nation’s gross domestic product — the total output of goods and services — confirmed that the economy decelerated from its sizzling 4.9% rate of expansion in the July-September quarter.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">But last quarter’s growth was still a solid performance, coming in the face of higher interest rates and powered by growing consumer spending, exports and business investment in buildings and software. It marked the sixth straight quarter in which the economy has grown at an annual rate above 2%.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">For all of 2023, the U.S. economy — the world’s biggest — grew 2.5%, up from 1.9% in 2022. In the current January-March quarter, the economy is believed to be growing at a slower but still decent 2.1% annual rate, according to a forecasting model issued by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The economy’s resilience over the past two years has repeatedly defied predictions that the ever-higher borrowing rates the Federal Reserve engineered to fight inflation would lead to waves of layoffs and probably a recession. Beginning in March 2022, the Fed jacked up its benchmark rate 11 times, to a 23-year high, making borrowing much more expensive for businesses and households.</span></p><div class="PageListEnhancementGeneric Enhancement" data-align-center="" data-module-trackunsubscribe="" data-module="" style="align-items: center; background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; border-color: var(--color-module-border); box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: center; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin-bottom: var(--moduleVerticalSpace); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 40px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; width: 663.333px;"><div class="Enhancement-item" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; justify-content: center; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); width: 663.333px;"><bsp-list-loadmore class="PageListStandardB" data-gtm-modulestyle="List B" data-gtm-region="READ MORE" data-gtm-topic="No Value" data-list-loadmore="" data-main-module-number="1" data-module-number="1" data-module="" data-show-loadmore="true" style="--borderdisplay: none; background-color: var(--color-module-background); background-repeat: no-repeat; border-color: var(--color-module-border); box-sizing: border-box; display: grid; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="PageList-items" data-list-loadmore-items="" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: grid; gap: 40px; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); padding: 0px;"><div class="PageList-items-item" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; border-bottom: none; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: 0px; max-width: none; padding-bottom: 0px; width: 194.444px;"><div class="PagePromo" data-align-top="" data-gtm-region="Elderly retirees face big losses after Chinese trust goes bust, reflecting turbulent economy" data-gtm-topic="No Value" data-mobile-alt-layout="true" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-primary-text); line-height: calc(1em + 4px); position: relative;"><div class="PagePromo-content" data-animate="fromBottom" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); transition-duration: 0.75s; transition-property: opacity, transform; transition-timing-function: ease-out;"><bsp-custom-headline custom-headline="div" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"></bsp-custom-headline></div></div></div></div></bsp-list-loadmore></div></div><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Yet the economy has kept growing, and employers have kept hiring — at a robust average of 251,000 added jobs a month last year and 265,000 a month from December through February.</span></p><div class="HTMLModuleEnhancement" data-align-center="" style="--marginforextraspace: -20px; align-items: center; background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: center; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: var(--marginForExtraSpace) 0;"><div class="HTMLModuleEnhancement-item" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; justify-content: center; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); width: 663.333px;"><div class="HTMLModuleEnhancement-embed" style="--color-video-bg: #fff; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); min-width: calc(100% + 80px);"><div class="HtmlModule" data-gtm-topic="No Value" data-main-module-number="2" data-module-number="2" data-module-tracksubscribe="" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><a class="AnchorLink" id="html-embed-module-e30000" name="html-embed-module-e30000" style="background-color: transparent; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-link-text); display: block; height: 0px; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); pointer-events: none; position: absolute; scroll-margin-top: calc(var(--headerHeight) + var(--hatHeight) + 20px); touch-action: manipulation; visibility: hidden;"></a><div class="taboola_readmore" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"></div><p class="embed-caption" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-primary-text); font-stretch: semi-condensed; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"></p></div></div></div></div><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">At the same time, inflation has steadily cooled: After peaking at 9.1% in June 2022, it has dropped to 3.2%, though it remains above the Fed’s 2% target. The combination of sturdy growth and easing inflation has raised hopes that the Fed can manage to achieve a “soft landing” by fully conquering inflation without triggering a recession.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Thursday’s report was the Commerce Department’s third and final estimate of fourth-quarter GDP growth. It will release its first estimate of January-March growth on April 25.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Home Depot will buy SRS Distribution, a materials provider for professionals, in a deal valued at approximately $18.25 billion.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">It is Home Depot’s largest acquisition in its history and with it, it steps more aggressively into the fast growing professional builder and contactor business.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">SRS provides materials for professionals like roofers, landscapers and pool contractors.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Home Depot is making a big bet on a housing market that is suffering a severe lack of new homes, which has driven prices sky high. The median sales price for new homes in the U.S. has climbed 29.4% over the past five years. In the fourth quarter, the median sales prices totaled $417,700, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The U.S. housing market is coming off a deep, 2-year sales slump triggered by one-two punch of so few homes and sharp rise in mortgage rates. The overall decline in rates since their peak last fall has opened a tiny window for some, though a home remains out of reach for millions of Americans.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes <span class="LinkEnhancement" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA" href="https://apnews.com/article/housing-home-sales-real-estate-home-prices-b9a2627d1416487158800f2cc0f66708" previewlistener="true" style="background-color: transparent; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); touch-action: manipulation;">rose in February</a></span> from the previous month to the strongest pace in a year with homebuyers encouraged by that modest pullback in mortgage rates.</span></p><div class="PageListEnhancementGeneric Enhancement" data-align-center="" data-module-trackunsubscribe="" data-module="" style="align-items: center; background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; border-color: var(--color-module-border); box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: center; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin-bottom: var(--moduleVerticalSpace); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 40px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; width: 663.333px;"><div class="Enhancement-item" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; justify-content: center; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); width: 663.333px;"><bsp-list-loadmore class="PageListStandardB" data-gtm-modulestyle="List B" data-gtm-region="READ MORE" data-gtm-topic="No Value" data-list-loadmore="" data-main-module-number="1" data-module-number="1" data-module="" data-show-loadmore="true" style="--borderdisplay: none; background-color: var(--color-module-background); background-repeat: no-repeat; border-color: var(--color-module-border); box-sizing: border-box; display: grid; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="PageList-items" data-list-loadmore-items="" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: grid; gap: 40px; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); padding: 0px;"><div class="PageList-items-item" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; border-bottom: none; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: 0px; max-width: none; padding-bottom: 0px; width: 194.444px;"><div class="PagePromo" data-align-top="" data-gtm-region="Michelle Yeoh to join business and political leaders at Global Citizen NOW summit to fight poverty" data-gtm-topic="No Value" data-mobile-alt-layout="true" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-primary-text); line-height: calc(1em + 4px); position: relative;"><div class="PagePromo-content" data-animate="fromBottom" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); transition-duration: 0.75s; transition-property: opacity, transform; transition-timing-function: ease-out;"><bsp-custom-headline custom-headline="div" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"></bsp-custom-headline></div></div></div></div></bsp-list-loadmore></div></div><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">With mortgage rates still high, millions of people are spending money on upkeep for the homes that they own, another financial driver for the Home Depot, SRS deal.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Home Depot said that when taking the deal into account, it now believes its total addressable market is approximately $1 trillion, an increase of approximately $50 billion.</span></p><div class="HTMLModuleEnhancement" data-align-center="" style="--marginforextraspace: -20px; align-items: center; background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: center; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: var(--marginForExtraSpace) 0;"><div class="HTMLModuleEnhancement-item" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; justify-content: center; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); width: 663.333px;"><div class="HTMLModuleEnhancement-embed" style="--color-video-bg: #fff; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); min-width: calc(100% + 80px);"><div class="HtmlModule" data-gtm-topic="No Value" data-main-module-number="2" data-module-number="2" data-module-tracksubscribe="" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><a class="AnchorLink" id="html-embed-module-e30000" name="html-embed-module-e30000" style="background-color: transparent; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-link-text); display: block; height: 0px; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); pointer-events: none; position: absolute; scroll-margin-top: calc(var(--headerHeight) + var(--hatHeight) + 20px); touch-action: manipulation; visibility: hidden;"></a><div class="taboola_readmore" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"></div><p class="embed-caption" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-primary-text); font-stretch: semi-condensed; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"></p></div></div></div></div><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">“SRS has built a robust and successful platform that will accelerate our growth with the residential professional customer while presenting future opportunities with the specialty trade pro,” Home Depot CEO Ted Decker said in a statement.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">SRS’s has a sales team of more than 2,500 and more than 760 branches across 47 states. It also has 4,000-plus truck fleet and jobsite delivery capabilities.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">“We are looking forward to combining our differentiated assets and capabilities, including our extensive branch network, experienced sales team, robust trade credit offering, and order management system, geared at serving the complex project purchase occasion, with The Home Depot’s competitive advantages,” SRS CEO Dan Tinker said. “We believe this will enable us to better serve pros and continue growing in our large and highly fragmented market.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Tinker and his senior management team will continue to lead SRS, which is based in McKinney, Texas.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The deal is expected to close by the end of fiscal 2024.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">— For the first time <span class="LinkEnhancement" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA" href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-race-and-ethnicity-hispanics-9773cd84b9a6793886713ccb71f3f5d7" previewlistener="true" style="background-color: transparent; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); touch-action: manipulation;">in 27 years</a></span>, the U.S. government is changing <span class="LinkEnhancement" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA" href="https://apnews.com/article/race-ethnicity-census-mena-hispanic-jewish-black-d25d02d3ec3e5f75aaa3ad8e6da331fe" previewlistener="true" style="background-color: transparent; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); touch-action: manipulation;">how it categorizes people</a></span> by race and ethnicity, an effort that federal officials believe will more accurately count residents who identify as Hispanic and of Middle Eastern and North African heritage.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The revisions to the minimum categories on race and ethnicity, announced Thursday by the Office of Management and Budget, are the latest effort to label and define the people of the United States. This evolving process often reflects changes in social attitudes and immigration, as well as a wish for people in an increasingly diverse society to see themselves in the numbers produced by the federal government.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">“You can’t underestimate the emotional impact this has on people,” said Meeta Anand, senior director for Census & Data Equity at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. “It’s how we conceive ourselves as a society. ... You are seeing a desire for people to want to self-identify and be reflected in data so they can tell their own stories.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Under the revisions, questions about race and ethnicity that previously were asked separately on forms will be combined into a single question. That will give respondents the option to pick multiple categories at the same time, such as “Black,” “American Indian” and “Hispanic.” Research has shown that large numbers of Hispanic people aren’t sure <span class="LinkEnhancement" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA" href="https://apnews.com/article/hispanic-census-2020-race-identity-b87843790fdd6f1eaf61933a6cc432bc" previewlistener="true" style="background-color: transparent; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); touch-action: manipulation;">how to answer the race question</a></span> when that question is asked separately because they understand race and ethnicity to be similar and they often pick “some other race” or do not answer the question.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">A Middle Eastern and North African category will be added to the choices available for questions about race and ethnicity. People descended from places such as Lebanon, Iran, Egypt and Syria had been encouraged to identify as white, but now will have the option of identifying themselves in the new group. Results from the 2020 census, which asked respondents to elaborate on their backgrounds, <span class="LinkEnhancement" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA" href="https://apnews.com/article/race-hispanic-ethnicity-2020-census-57a5d61258aa1c78099d52b0302eafc0" previewlistener="true" style="background-color: transparent; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); touch-action: manipulation;">suggest that 3.5 million residents</a></span> identify as Middle Eastern and North African.</span></p><div class="HTMLModuleEnhancement" data-align-center="" style="--marginforextraspace: -20px; align-items: center; background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: center; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); margin: var(--marginForExtraSpace) 0;"><div class="HTMLModuleEnhancement-item" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; justify-content: center; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); width: 663.333px;"><div class="HTMLModuleEnhancement-embed" style="--color-video-bg: #fff; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); min-width: calc(100% + 80px);"><div class="HtmlModule" data-gtm-topic="No Value" data-main-module-number="2" data-module-number="2" data-module-tracksubscribe="" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><a class="AnchorLink" id="html-embed-module-e30000" name="html-embed-module-e30000" style="background-color: transparent; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-link-text); display: block; height: 0px; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); pointer-events: none; position: absolute; scroll-margin-top: calc(var(--headerHeight) + var(--hatHeight) + 20px); touch-action: manipulation; visibility: hidden;"></a><div class="taboola_readmore" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"></div><p class="embed-caption" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--color-primary-text); font-stretch: semi-condensed; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"></p></div></div></div></div><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">“It feels good to be seen,” said Florida state Rep. Anna Eskamani, a Democrat from Orlando whose parents are from Iran. “Growing up, my family would check the ‘white’ box because we didn’t know what other box reflected our family. Having representation like that, it feels meaningful.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The changes also strike from federal forms the words “Negro” and “Far East,” now widely regarded as pejorative, as well as the terms “majority” and “minority,” because they fail to reflect the nation’s complex racial and ethnic diversity, some officials say. The revisions also encourage the collection of detailed race and ethnicity data beyond the minimum standards, such as “Haitian” or “Jamaican” for someone who checks “Black.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The changes to the standards were hammered out over two years by a group of federal statisticians and bureaucrats who prefer to stay above the political fray. But the revisions have long-term implications for legislative redistricting, civil rights laws, health statistics, and possibly even politics as the number of people categorized as white is reduced.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Donald Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee for president, <span class="LinkEnhancement" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA" href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-biden-gop-voters-border-migrants-1fc6624188f540f495e1087bee64318e" previewlistener="true" style="background-color: transparent; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); touch-action: manipulation;">recently alluded</a></span> to arguments made by <span class="LinkEnhancement" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA" href="https://apnews.com/article/great-white-replacement-theory-explainer-c86f309f02cd14062f301ce6b9228e33" previewlistener="true" style="background-color: transparent; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); touch-action: manipulation;">people who allege Democrats are promoting illegal immigration</a></span> to weaken the power of white people. As president, Trump unsuccessfully tried to disqualify people who were in the United States illegally from being included in the 2020 census.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Momentum for changing the race and ethnicity categories grew during the Obama administration in the mid-2010s, but was halted after Trump became president in 2017. It was <span class="LinkEnhancement" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA" href="https://apnews.com/article/north-africa-government-and-politics-hispanics-a81c6c01b6a3fe4946a41f70640f2194" previewlistener="true" style="background-color: transparent; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); touch-action: manipulation;">revived</a></span> after Democratic President Joe Biden took office in 2021.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The changes will be reflected in data collection, forms, surveys and the once-a-decade census questionnaires put out by the federal government, as well as in state governments and the private sector because businesses, universities and other groups usually follow Washington’s lead. Federal agencies have 18 months to submit a plan on how they will put the changes in place.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The first federal standards on race and ethnicity were produced in 1977 to provide consistent data across agencies and come up with figures that could help enforce civil rights laws. They were last updated in 1997 when five minimum race categories were delineated — American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander and white; respondents could pick more than one race. The minimum ethnic categories were grouped separately as not Hispanic or Hispanic or Latino.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The interagency group that worked on the latest revisions noted that categories are sociopolitical constructs and race and ethnicity are not defined biologically or genetically.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Racial and ethnic categories used by the U.S. government reflect their times.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">In 1820, the category “Free Colored People” was added to the decennial census to reflect the increase in free Black people. In 1850, the term “Mulatto” was added to the census to capture people of mixed heritage. American Indians were not explicitly counted in the census until 1860. Following years of immigration from China, “Chinese” was included in the 1870 census. There was not a formal question about Hispanic origin until the 1980 census.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Not everyone is on board with the latest revisions.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Some Afro Latinos feel that combining the race and ethnicity question will reduce their numbers and representation in the data, though previous research by the U.S. Census Bureau did not find significant differences among Afro Latino responses when the questions were asked separately or together.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Mozelle Ortiz, for instance, is of mixed Afro Puerto Rican descent. She feels the changes could eliminate that identity, even though people can choose more than one answer once the race and ethnicity questions are combined.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">“My entire lineage, that of my Black Puerto Rican grandmother’s and all other non-white Spanish speaking peoples, will be erased,” Ortiz wrote the interagency group.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">William Chalmers, in a letter to the group, worried that combining race and ethnicity questions would conflate the two definitions.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">“Just as gender and sexual orientation are treated as different markers so should ‘race’ and ‘culture,’” Chalmers said.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Ford will drastically cut the number of hourly workers at its factory that builds the Ford F-150 Lightning as sales of electric vehicles slow, according to a media report.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Ford began the year by cutting production of the F-150 Lightning electric pickup after weaker-than-expected electric vehicle sales growth.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">While EV sales are growing in the U.S., the pace is <span class="LinkEnhancement" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA" href="https://apnews.com/article/electric-vehicles-auto-industry-sales-96638bcefbd191c2f8e046ccef6374bf" previewlistener="true" style="background-color: transparent; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); touch-action: manipulation;">falling well short of the industry’s ambitious timetable</a></span> and many consumers are turning to <span class="LinkEnhancement" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px);"><a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA" href="https://apnews.com/article/hybrids-electric-vehicles-auto-sales-charging-stations-97b444cfa752acbd3a5c244a3ee68abb" previewlistener="true" style="background-color: transparent; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: calc(1em + 4px); touch-action: manipulation;">hybrid</a></span> vehicles instead.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Ford sold just over 24,000 Lightnings last year, up 55% from 2022. But dealers are reporting slower sales and rising inventories on the electric truck, which starts at just under $50,000.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">On Wednesday, the Detroit Free Press and Louisville Courier reported that Ford will begin trimming the hourly workforce next week at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan, according to Ford spokeswoman Jessica Enoch.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Of the 2,100 workers who make up three work crews at the Dearborn facility, a third will remain, Enoch told the Detroit Free Press. Ford will transfer 700 workers to the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne to build the Bronco and Ranger. The remaining 700 workers will either take a retirement package offered during last year’s contract talks with the United Auto Workers, or will take a reassignment in southeast Michigan. Ford is adding a third crew at Michigan Assembly, the paper reported.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.55; margin: 20px 0px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Shares of Ford Motor Co. were essentially flat before the opening bell</span></p>Anne Sulzbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17091067031029918700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744683886539852356.post-13564503716884543722024-03-28T05:42:00.000-07:002024-03-28T05:42:36.187-07:00'I'm too young to retire': What forced these workers to retire before they were ready<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YctviizEx5F5HGb5ZZkzb5Aef7Nsp-qV7tBBSa1TdvogV_U5cxHHm2amRVzYnWV7iERkvoxq3774ddTxjQMMnqtEiKyhbZQNk8iNPgRDDijlM9w220h4IA_G-b5WNaGLuFmauokBFkpwhvWmhgjaggVAc9pYVB7Q9X_epLyxwfvAdtX8bl9P-6o7rkg/s2048/7xm.xyz927624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YctviizEx5F5HGb5ZZkzb5Aef7Nsp-qV7tBBSa1TdvogV_U5cxHHm2amRVzYnWV7iERkvoxq3774ddTxjQMMnqtEiKyhbZQNk8iNPgRDDijlM9w220h4IA_G-b5WNaGLuFmauokBFkpwhvWmhgjaggVAc9pYVB7Q9X_epLyxwfvAdtX8bl9P-6o7rkg/w640-h426/7xm.xyz927624.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); font-size: 18px;">Randy Seacat expected to retire at 75 if he retired at all. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The labor market had other plans.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Seacat lost his customer support job at Amazon Web Services in late 2020, at age 58. He has not found work since, even after applying for more than 1,700 jobs and sitting through 51 interviews. Now 61, he submitted application No. 1,746 the other day but still has no job.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“I’ve never had a problem having a job in my lifetime,” he says. “I do really great on the phone interview, but when they find out how old I am, the door slams. It’s over.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">If you’re one of many Americans who think you’ll work till 75, or 70, or even 65, think again.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The average American retires at 62, according to two annual surveys of working and retired Americans, published by the Employee Benefit Research Institute and the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Sixty-two is not particularly old. The average over-50 worker expects to retire at 67, according to Transamerica. Average life expectancy is 77 ½. Our president is running for reelection at 81.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">But few of us get to retire when we want. We might imagine easing out of our careers on our own terms. Yet, in reality, retirement often comes suddenly and unexpectedly, via a corporate layoff or a household health scare.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Here are the stories of seven Americans who retired years earlier than they had planned, for reasons largely beyond their control.</span></p><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><cta-atoms-container-inline class="spacer-large" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 24px; width: 709.991px;" util-module-path="elements/cta"></cta-atoms-container-inline></span><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">For three of the seven, early retirement seeded financial ruin. The others exited work into a retirement that, while comfortable enough, fell far short of the life they had envisioned. One, Seacat, is still fighting retirement, hoping to rejoin the labor force one day.</span></p><div class="spacer-large videoWrap" id="videoWrap" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; margin: 12px 59.158px 16px; position: relative; width: 591.658px;"><media-video data-module-loaded="true" placement="snow-video-story-priority" poster="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/19/PCIN/73027367007-screenshot-20240319-at-103408-am.png?crop=3807,2143,x0,y49" style="--bigplaybttn_-_height: 80px; --bigplaybttn_-_width: 80px; --sharebottommargin_-_margin: 0 auto var(--spacer-sixteen, 16px); --unselectable_-_-khtml-user-select: none; --unselectable_-_-moz-user-select: none; --unselectable_-_-ms-user-select: none; --unselectable_-_-o-user-select: none; --unselectable_-_-webkit-user-select: none; --unselectable_-_user-select: none; --videoblue: #007acc;" title="Allworth Advice: Don't focus on saving up a million dollars for retirement" video-id="73027343007"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><media-video-partner id="mvp"></media-video-partner><util-post-messaging id="postMessage"></util-post-messaging><util-analytics id="analytics"></util-analytics><partner-iris id="iris"></partner-iris><partner-taboola-api-media-video id="recommendation"></partner-taboola-api-media-video><slot id="rawData" name="data"></slot></span></media-video></div><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #303030; flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: calc(16.5455px + 0.454545vw); line-height: 1.15; margin: 16px auto 8px; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">1,746 applications, but no job</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Seacat has a range of skills, from internet marketing to videogame design to search engine optimization to voice acting to songwriting. Back in the ‘80s, he played and sang in Seattle hair bands.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">For most of the past decade, Seacat worked at the Amazon subsidiary as a technical customer support associate, helping with cloud computing. He lost his job when the company shipped it overseas, taking a severance package along with some aging colleagues.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“And I thought, ‘OK, I’ll be able to get back to work, no big deal,’” he said. “Well, that didn’t happen.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Seacat lived in the Seattle suburbs. His job search ranged north to Alaska, south to Portland and east to Montana.</span></p><media-image caption="Randy Seacat: 1,746 applications, but no job." class="spacer-large" credit="Randy Seacat" image-alt="" image-set="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73116396007-2-e-82-a-17-f-1-af-5-a-498-b-8-f-7-d-173-c-0-c-61354-b-2.jpg bestCrop, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73116396007-2-e-82-a-17-f-1-af-5-a-498-b-8-f-7-d-173-c-0-c-61354-b-2.jpg?crop=299,225,x0,y96 4:3, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73116396007-2-e-82-a-17-f-1-af-5-a-498-b-8-f-7-d-173-c-0-c-61354-b-2.jpg?crop=299,400,x0,y9 3:4, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73116396007-2-e-82-a-17-f-1-af-5-a-498-b-8-f-7-d-173-c-0-c-61354-b-2.jpg?crop=299,169,x0,y124 16:9" orientation="vertical" style="background-color: white; display: block; margin: 24px 59.158px; width: 591.658px;" util-module-path="elements/media"><div class="media-image-viewport" id="container"><div class="media-image-wrapper" style="margin: 0px auto; position: relative; width: 591.658px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><img alt="" id="imgContent" src="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73116396007-2-e-82-a-17-f-1-af-5-a-498-b-8-f-7-d-173-c-0-c-61354-b-2.jpg?width=1588" style="width: 591.658px;" /></span></div><div class="img-caption" id="caption" style="color: #626262; font-size: calc(13.2727px + 0.227273vw); line-height: 1.3; margin-top: var(--spacer-twelve,12px); padding: 0 var(--one-column,8.33333333%);"><div class="caption-container" id="imageCaption"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><span id="captionPartOne">Randy Seacat: 1,746 applications, but no job.</span> </span></div><div class="media-image-credit" style="font-size: calc(11.2727px + 0.227273vw); line-height: var(--line-height-default, 1.15); margin: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">RANDY SEACAT</span></div></div></div></media-image><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">He soon saw a pattern. Applications hit a wall when the employer figured out his approximate age. Often, they’d tell him he was overqualified.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">When an application reaches the interview stage, he said, “everything goes great, until they discover that I’m a boomer.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Even after 1,746 failed applications, Seacat says he isn’t giving up.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“I’m too young to retire,” he said. “I can’t get Social Security,” a benefit that kicks in at 62, “and I burned through most of my savings trying to save my home.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Seacat lived on retirement savings until the autumn of 2022, when they ran out and he was forced to leave his rented home. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">He purchased an RV. He could live in it, but he can’t afford to rent a space in an RV park, because those slots run $800 to $1,200 a month.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“I am pretty much homeless,” he said, staying with family between Seattle and Portland.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">His belongings sit in a storage space that, like the RV space, he can no longer afford. If he doesn’t pay the bill soon, he said, “it’s gonna be gone.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">It’s hard to imagine a more industrious job seeker. Even so, Seacat said he’s surprised he doesn’t get more empathy when he shares his story.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“People tell me all the time, ‘I know people who are 60 who are working,’” he said. “And I tell them, ‘There’s a big difference between working at 60 and getting hired at 60.’”</span></p><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #303030; flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: calc(16.5455px + 0.454545vw); line-height: 1.15; margin: 16px auto 8px; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">A career unravels in a fateful fall</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Larry Zarzecki planned to work till he dropped.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">He would put in 35 years at his Maryland police department, then segue into a job in security, following a time-honored tradition in law enforcement.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">At 49, Zarzecki’s retirement plan unraveled, along with his life.</span></p><media-image caption="Larry Zarzecki planned to work till he dropped. But his retirement plans unraveled at 49, after a Parkinson's diagnosis." class="spacer-large" credit="Josh Morgan, Josh Morgan-USA TODAY" image-alt="" image-set="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/26/USAT/73109735007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-007.JPG bestCrop, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/26/USAT/73109735007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-007.JPG?crop=911,682,x56,y0 4:3, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/26/USAT/73109735007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-007.JPG?crop=512,682,x51,y0 3:4, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/26/USAT/73109735007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-007.JPG?crop=1023,576,x0,y53 16:9" orientation="horizontal" style="background-color: white; display: block; margin: 24px 59.158px; width: 591.658px;" util-module-path="elements/media"><div class="media-image-viewport" id="container"><div class="media-image-wrapper" style="margin: 0px auto; position: relative; width: 591.658px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><img alt="" id="imgContent" src="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/26/USAT/73109735007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-007.JPG?width=2560" style="width: 591.658px;" /></span></div><div class="img-caption" id="caption" style="color: #626262; font-size: calc(13.2727px + 0.227273vw); line-height: 1.3; margin-top: var(--spacer-twelve,12px); padding: 0 var(--one-column,8.33333333%);"><div class="caption-container" id="imageCaption"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><span id="captionPartOne">Larry Zarzecki planned to work till he dropped. But his retirement plans unraveled at 49, after a Parkinson's diagnosis.</span> </span></div><div class="media-image-credit" style="font-size: calc(11.2727px + 0.227273vw); line-height: var(--line-height-default, 1.15); margin: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">JOSH MORGAN, JOSH MORGAN-USA TODAY</span></div></div></div></media-image><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">He developed a tremor in his hand. He started struggling with balance. At length, a doctor diagnosed Parkinson’s disease.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Zarzecki balked at telling loved ones and colleagues. But soon enough, the disease announced itself. An ill-timed freezing episode in 2013 sent him toppling down the stairs of his family home. He suffered a brain injury and severe spinal damage. Doctors wondered if he’d ever walk again, let alone work.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">He spent 21 months in the hospital, learning to walk and talk all over again, and relearning the story of his own life: The brain injury had wiped out his memory.</span></p><media-image caption="Larry Zarzecki, 61, lives on his disability pension, occupying a modest in-law cottage next to his son’s home in Stevensville, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Zarzecki was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at 49. In 2013, he suffered a brain injury and severe spinal damage from a serious fall that would impact his ability to find work." class="spacer-large" credit="Josh Morgan,USA TODAY" image-alt="" image-set="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73118080007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-001.jpg bestCrop, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73118080007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-001.jpg?crop=3999,2999,x0,y0 4:3, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73118080007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-001.jpg?crop=2250,2999,x900,y0 3:4, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73118080007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-001.jpg?crop=4499,2531,x0,y234 16:9" orientation="horizontal" style="background-color: white; display: block; margin: 24px 59.158px; width: 591.658px;" util-module-path="elements/media"><div class="media-image-viewport" id="container"><div class="media-image-wrapper" style="margin: 0px auto; position: relative; width: 591.658px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><img alt="" id="imgContent" src="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73118080007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-001.jpg?width=2560" style="width: 591.658px;" /></span></div><div class="img-caption" id="caption" style="color: #626262; font-size: calc(13.2727px + 0.227273vw); line-height: 1.3; margin-top: var(--spacer-twelve,12px); padding: 0 var(--one-column,8.33333333%);"><div class="caption-container" id="imageCaption"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><span id="captionPartOne">Larry Zarzecki, 61, lives on his disability pension, occupying a modest in-law cottage next to his son’s home in Stevensville, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Zarzecki</span><span id="ellieTheEllipsis"> …</span> <a id="showMore" style="font-weight: 600; text-wrap: nowrap;">Show more <span class="icon-span" style="display: inline-block; fill: rgb(98, 98, 98); position: relative; top: 4px;"><svg height="16px" viewbox="0 0 16 16" width="16px"><polygon id="path-1" points="8 8.66204505 4.16436384 5.25259068 2.83563616 6.74740932 8 11.337955 13.1643638 6.74740932 11.8356362 5.25259068"></polygon></svg></span> </a> </span></div><div class="media-image-credit" style="font-size: calc(11.2727px + 0.227273vw); line-height: var(--line-height-default, 1.15); margin: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">JOSH MORGAN,USA TODAY</span></div></div></div></media-image><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Zarzecki wanted to work again, but no one wanted him.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“I couldn’t even get a job as a greeter at Walmart,” he said. “Everything is fine until you get to the point where you have to start disclosing medical issues that may put you or someone else in danger, or in harm’s way.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“Look, I’m a liability. I get it.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">On the day of his catastrophic fall, Zarzecki had a police pension and $100,000 in retirement savings. He planned to max out the pension and build the retirement account to $500,000 with many more years of work.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“We wouldn’t have had to worry about money,” he said.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">After the fall, Zarzecki’s wife divorced him. Hospital bills and medication co-pays chewed through his retirement account.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Now 61, Zarzecki lives on his disability pension, occupying a modest in-law cottage next to his son’s home in Stevensville, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">He recently paid off the last of his hospital bills, leaving him debt-free. But he still faces $3,000 a month in out-of-pocket costs for medication. He has no savings, and his income is more or less fixed. Simply put, he’s broke.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Every day, he jokes, Zarzecki must decide “whether to treat or eat”: to manage his many lingering symptoms with a dozen daily meds, or to purchase food.</span></p><media-image caption="Larry Zarzecki speaks with Verona Palatines at the Kent Senior Center, where he volunteers, on March 22, 2024. Zarzecki, 61, lives on his disability pension, occupying a modest in-law cottage next to his son’s home in Stevensville, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Zarzecki was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at 49. In 2013, he suffered a brain injury and severe spinal damage from a serious fall that would impact his ability to find work." class="spacer-large" credit="Josh Morgan, USA TODAY" image-alt="" image-set="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73118081007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-002.jpg bestCrop, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73118081007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-002.jpg?crop=3999,2999,x500,y0 4:3, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73118081007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-002.jpg?crop=2250,2999,x1800,y0 3:4, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73118081007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-002.jpg?crop=4499,2531,x0,y0 16:9" orientation="horizontal" style="background-color: white; display: block; margin: 24px 59.158px; width: 591.658px;" util-module-path="elements/media"><div class="media-image-viewport" id="container"><div class="media-image-wrapper" style="margin: 0px auto; position: relative; width: 591.658px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><img alt="" id="imgContent" src="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73118081007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-002.jpg?width=2560" style="width: 591.658px;" /></span></div><div class="img-caption" id="caption" style="color: #626262; font-size: calc(13.2727px + 0.227273vw); line-height: 1.3; margin-top: var(--spacer-twelve,12px); padding: 0 var(--one-column,8.33333333%);"><div class="caption-container" id="imageCaption"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><span id="captionPartOne">Larry Zarzecki speaks with Verona Palatines at the Kent Senior Center, where he volunteers, on March 22, 2024. Zarzecki, 61, lives on his disability pension,</span><span id="ellieTheEllipsis"> …</span> <a id="showMore" style="font-weight: 600; text-wrap: nowrap;">Show more <span class="icon-span" style="display: inline-block; fill: rgb(98, 98, 98); position: relative; top: 4px;"><svg height="16px" viewbox="0 0 16 16" width="16px"><polygon id="path-1" points="8 8.66204505 4.16436384 5.25259068 2.83563616 6.74740932 8 11.337955 13.1643638 6.74740932 11.8356362 5.25259068"></polygon></svg></span> </a> </span></div><div class="media-image-credit" style="font-size: calc(11.2727px + 0.227273vw); line-height: var(--line-height-default, 1.15); margin: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">JOSH MORGAN, USA TODAY</span></div></div></div></media-image><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #303030; flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: calc(16.5455px + 0.454545vw); line-height: 1.15; margin: 0px auto 8px; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Retired at 55, with kids still in college</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Virginia Crespo had not planned to retire at 55.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">She had two kids in college and a good job that she loved, teaching history and government at a suburban high school near Annapolis, Maryland.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">But Crespo was also living with fibromyalgia, a chronic illness that causes pain, fatigue and brain fog. One morning, after teaching her first class, she thought, “How can I teach four more?” She put in her notice, setting her retirement for July 2002.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">A few months shy of that date, her husband came home from work and announced that his employer was shutting down.</span></p><media-image caption="Virginia Crespo had not planned to retire at 55. But a chronic illness made the decision for her." class="spacer-large" credit="Josh Morgan, Josh Morgan-USA TODAY" image-alt="" image-set="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/26/USAT/73109649007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-010-1.JPG bestCrop, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/26/USAT/73109649007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-010-1.JPG?crop=910,682,x0,y0 4:3, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/26/USAT/73109649007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-010-1.JPG?crop=512,682,x102,y0 3:4, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/26/USAT/73109649007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-010-1.JPG?crop=1023,576,x0,y53 16:9" orientation="horizontal" style="background-color: white; display: block; margin: 24px 59.158px; width: 591.658px;" util-module-path="elements/media"><div class="media-image-viewport" id="container"><div class="media-image-wrapper" style="margin: 0px auto; position: relative; width: 591.658px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><img alt="" id="imgContent" src="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/26/USAT/73109649007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-010-1.JPG?width=2560" style="width: 591.658px;" /></span></div><div class="img-caption" id="caption" style="color: #626262; font-size: calc(13.2727px + 0.227273vw); line-height: 1.3; margin-top: var(--spacer-twelve,12px); padding: 0 var(--one-column,8.33333333%);"><div class="caption-container" id="imageCaption"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><span id="captionPartOne">Virginia Crespo had not planned to retire at 55. But a chronic illness made the decision for her.</span> </span></div><div class="media-image-credit" style="font-size: calc(11.2727px + 0.227273vw); line-height: var(--line-height-default, 1.15); margin: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">JOSH MORGAN, JOSH MORGAN-USA TODAY</span></div></div></div></media-image><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">And thus, both Crespos retired at 55. Both had planned to work for several more years.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">With combined salaries over $200,000, husband and wife could have expected to earn at least $1 million between ages 55 and 60.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Instead, the couple made do on Virginia’s pension, which paid about $32,000 a year, plus annual cost-of-living increases. They could no longer afford to cover their children’s college educations. Both children took out student loans. After college, they were on their own.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Joseph Crespo had a retirement account, worth about $150,000, but the 2008 recession gutted it.</span></p><media-image caption="Virginia Crespo sends emails in her home for her volunteer work on March 21, 2024. Crespo had not planned to retire at 55 in 2002. She had two kids in college and a good job that she loved, teaching at a suburban high school near Annapolis, Md. But Crespo was also living with fibromyalgia, a chronic illness that causes pain, fatigue and brain fog." class="spacer-large" credit="Josh Morgan, USA TODAY" image-alt="" image-set="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73117849007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-011.jpg bestCrop, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73117849007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-011.jpg?crop=3999,2999,x225,y0 4:3, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73117849007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-011.jpg?crop=2250,2999,x1125,y0 3:4, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73117849007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-011.jpg?crop=4499,2531,x0,y234 16:9" orientation="horizontal" style="background-color: white; display: block; margin: 24px 59.158px; width: 591.658px;" util-module-path="elements/media"><div class="media-image-viewport" id="container"><div class="media-image-wrapper" style="margin: 0px auto; position: relative; width: 591.658px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><img alt="" id="imgContent" src="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73117849007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-011.jpg?width=2560" style="width: 591.658px;" /></span></div><div class="img-caption" id="caption" style="color: #626262; font-size: calc(13.2727px + 0.227273vw); line-height: 1.3; margin-top: var(--spacer-twelve,12px); padding: 0 var(--one-column,8.33333333%);"><div class="caption-container" id="imageCaption"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><span id="captionPartOne">Virginia Crespo sends emails in her home for her volunteer work on March 21, 2024. Crespo had not planned to retire at 55 in 2002.</span><span id="ellieTheEllipsis"> …</span> <a id="showMore" style="font-weight: 600; text-wrap: nowrap;">Show more <span class="icon-span" style="display: inline-block; fill: rgb(98, 98, 98); position: relative; top: 4px;"><svg height="16px" viewbox="0 0 16 16" width="16px"><polygon id="path-1" points="8 8.66204505 4.16436384 5.25259068 2.83563616 6.74740932 8 11.337955 13.1643638 6.74740932 11.8356362 5.25259068"></polygon></svg></span> </a> </span></div><div class="media-image-credit" style="font-size: calc(11.2727px + 0.227273vw); line-height: var(--line-height-default, 1.15); margin: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">JOSH MORGAN, USA TODAY</span></div></div></div></media-image><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Those setbacks left them with a more modest retirement, living on Virginia’s teacher pension and Social Security. The Crespos retooled their bucket list.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“We traveled the United States some, but not the world,” she said. “We did get to see the Grand Canyon.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Joseph Crespo died in 2015. Virginia now lives around the corner from the old family home, in a smaller dwelling.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">She does not regret the decisions they made more than 20 years ago: Life takes unexpected turns.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“It is difficult to speculate how things might have been different,” she said. “We could have paid for our children’s college bills and avoided student loans. We could have paid off the mortgage.”</span></p><media-image caption="Virginia Crespo shows a photograph of her and her late husband, Joseph, on March 21, 2024. Crespo retired earlier than planned at 55 in 2002, within days of her husband’s retirement due to his company shutting down. They had two kids in college and a good job that she loved, teaching at a suburban high school near Annapolis, Md. But Crespo was also living with fibromyalgia, a chronic illness that causes pain, fatigue, and brain fog." class="spacer-large" credit="Josh Morgan, Josh Morgan-USA TODAY" image-alt="" image-set="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73117846007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-012.jpg bestCrop, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73117846007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-012.jpg?crop=3999,2999,x0,y0 4:3, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73117846007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-012.jpg?crop=2250,2999,x675,y0 3:4, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73117846007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-012.jpg?crop=4499,2531,x0,y234 16:9" orientation="horizontal" style="background-color: white; display: block; margin: 24px 59.158px; width: 591.658px;" util-module-path="elements/media"><div class="media-image-viewport" id="container"><div class="media-image-wrapper" style="margin: 0px auto; position: relative; width: 591.658px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><img alt="" id="imgContent" src="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73117846007-xxx-20240315-jm-retirement-hardships-012.jpg?width=2560" style="width: 591.658px;" /></span></div><div class="img-caption" id="caption" style="color: #626262; font-size: calc(13.2727px + 0.227273vw); line-height: 1.3; margin-top: var(--spacer-twelve,12px); padding: 0 var(--one-column,8.33333333%);"><div class="caption-container" id="imageCaption"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><span id="captionPartOne">Virginia Crespo shows a photograph of her and her late husband, Joseph, on March 21, 2024. Crespo retired earlier than planned at 55 in 2002,</span><span id="ellieTheEllipsis"> …</span> <a id="showMore" style="font-weight: 600; text-wrap: nowrap;">Show more <span class="icon-span" style="display: inline-block; fill: rgb(98, 98, 98); position: relative; top: 4px;"><svg height="16px" viewbox="0 0 16 16" width="16px"><polygon id="path-1" points="8 8.66204505 4.16436384 5.25259068 2.83563616 6.74740932 8 11.337955 13.1643638 6.74740932 11.8356362 5.25259068"></polygon></svg></span> </a> </span></div><div class="media-image-credit" style="font-size: calc(11.2727px + 0.227273vw); line-height: var(--line-height-default, 1.15); margin: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">JOSH MORGAN, JOSH MORGAN-USA TODAY</span></div></div></div></media-image><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #303030; flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: calc(16.5455px + 0.454545vw); line-height: 1.15; margin: 0px auto 8px; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Booted from a top-drawer tech job at 61</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">At 67, Peter Plamondon is ensconced in a comfortable retirement with his wife in Sierra Vista, Arizona, in the Sonoran Desert.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">But he kicks himself at how much more comfortable it might have been.</span></p><media-image caption="Peter Plamondon, 67, is living a comfortable retirement in the Sonoran Desert. But it could have been a lot more comfortable." class="spacer-large" credit="Peter Plamondon" image-alt="" image-set="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/26/USAT/73109182007-peter-plamondon.jpg?crop=2314,3082,x1,y0 bestCrop, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/26/USAT/73109182007-peter-plamondon.jpg?crop=2316,1737,x-1,y725 4:3, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/26/USAT/73109182007-peter-plamondon.jpg?crop=2314,3084,x0,y0 3:4, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/26/USAT/73109182007-peter-plamondon.jpg?crop=2316,1301,x-1,y1211 16:9" orientation="vertical" style="background-color: white; display: block; margin: 24px 59.158px; width: 591.658px;" util-module-path="elements/media"><div class="media-image-viewport" id="container"><div class="media-image-wrapper" style="margin: 0px auto; position: relative; width: 591.658px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><img alt="" id="imgContent" src="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/26/USAT/73109182007-peter-plamondon.jpg?crop=2314,3082,x1,y0&width=1588" style="width: 591.658px;" /></span></div><div class="img-caption" id="caption" style="color: #626262; font-size: calc(13.2727px + 0.227273vw); line-height: 1.3; margin-top: var(--spacer-twelve,12px); padding: 0 var(--one-column,8.33333333%);"><div class="caption-container" id="imageCaption"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><span id="captionPartOne">Peter Plamondon, 67, is living a comfortable retirement in the Sonoran Desert. But it could have been a lot more comfortable.</span> </span></div><div class="media-image-credit" style="font-size: calc(11.2727px + 0.227273vw); line-height: var(--line-height-default, 1.15); margin: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">PETER PLAMONDON</span></div></div></div></media-image><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Thirteen years ago, at 54, Plamondon started working with a financial planner. They crafted a retirement plan: Plamondon would work until he was 66 or 67. He would max out his retirement savings in the final six or seven years, adding another $500,000 to his 401(k).</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">And then, at 61, Plamondon lost his job in a layoff.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Plamondon worked at a tech firm, specializing in helping other tech companies build relationships with Microsoft, where he’d previously worked. He earned stellar reviews.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">But he was also the oldest worker on his team, “at least 15 years older than anyone else, and 30 years older than some,” he said. And he earned a generous six-figure salary.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The layoffs targeted “the expensive employees,” he said, with “more experience, higher salaries, and higher healthcare costs than twenty-somethings.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Undaunted, Plamondon applied for other jobs that seemed perfect fits. He’d never had trouble finding work.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">A handful of job leads yielded interviews. “And then, nothing,” he said.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Each time, Plamondon believes, his application hit a wall when the hiring manager “figured out that I wasn’t 25. You can’t have 25 years’ experience and be 25.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">After more than 100 applications, Plamondon gave up. He and his wife left Redmond, Washington, the pricey Pacific Northwest address of Microsoft, and moved to the Arizona desert.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Plamondon found work as a technical writer, earning $85 an hour and grossing $20,000 a year: A drop in the bucket, next to his former salary.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Even that didn’t last. The arrival of ChatGPT upended the technical writing marketplace, allowing employers to hire lower-paid writers who leveraged AI to cut corners. The hourly rate dropped to $40.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Despite the setbacks, the Plamondons have a secure retirement. Sierra Vista has a much lower cost of living than greater Seattle.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">But the couple had planned to spend their retirement years seeing the world. That is no longer an option.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Recent events have Plamondon thinking about his father-in-law.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“He thought he was going to work till he was 67, 68, and life intervened,” he said. The father-in-law retired early with a broken hip, shaving several years off his career.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“Here was this example, right in front of my face, and I did not internalize it,” he said.</span></p><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #303030; flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: calc(16.5455px + 0.454545vw); line-height: 1.15; margin: 16px auto 8px; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">At 58, a choice between career and care</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Betty Houseknecht planned to work until age 65, at least, selling diamond engagement rings and fancy watches for a jeweler in suburban Baltimore.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Then, in 2012, her 96-year-old father fell and broke his neck. Her 95-year-old mother needed help caring for him.</span></p><media-image caption="Betty Houseknecht had planned to work to at least 65. Family health issues forced her to retire at 58." class="spacer-large" credit="Betty Houseknecht" image-alt="" image-set="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/26/USAT/73109338007-img-0192.jpg?crop=1026,1510,x0,y0 bestCrop, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/26/USAT/73109338007-img-0192.jpg?crop=1025,769,x0,y302 4:3, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/26/USAT/73109338007-img-0192.jpg?crop=1025,1368,x0,y71 3:4, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/26/USAT/73109338007-img-0192.jpg?crop=1025,577,x0,y377 16:9" orientation="vertical" style="background-color: white; display: block; margin: 24px 59.158px; width: 591.658px;" util-module-path="elements/media"><div class="media-image-viewport" id="container"><div class="media-image-wrapper" style="margin: 0px auto; position: relative; width: 591.658px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><img alt="" id="imgContent" src="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/26/USAT/73109338007-img-0192.jpg?crop=1026,1510,x0,y0&width=1588" style="width: 591.658px;" /></span></div><div class="img-caption" id="caption" style="color: #626262; font-size: calc(13.2727px + 0.227273vw); line-height: 1.3; margin-top: var(--spacer-twelve,12px); padding: 0 var(--one-column,8.33333333%);"><div class="caption-container" id="imageCaption"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><span id="captionPartOne">Betty Houseknecht had planned to work to at least 65. Family health issues forced her to retire at 58.</span> </span></div><div class="media-image-credit" style="font-size: calc(11.2727px + 0.227273vw); line-height: var(--line-height-default, 1.15); margin: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">BETTY HOUSEKNECHT</span></div></div></div></media-image><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Houseknecht’s employer “would have given me maybe a month off,” she said. As it turned out, she would need eight years.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Houseknecht left her gemology job at 58 to care for her parents. Her mother died a few months later. She spent the next few years caring for her father and her husband, David, who had just retired from a management job at UPS and was struggling with diabetes.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">David Houseknecht died in 2016, at age 64.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“The last nine months of his life were really a nightmare for me, between taking care of him and my dad,” Betty said.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The next year, she put her father in assisted living after a bad fall. She visited him for several hours a day. He died in 2019, at 103.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“I had a tough eight years,” Houseknecht said. “When I look back now, I don’t know how I survived it.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">They were also costly years. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The couple had planned to pay off their own home and a second one they owned in Sarasota, Florida, and to amass at least $1 million in retirement savings, leveraging Betty’s job and David’s pension and Social Security income. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Betty’s early retirement and David’s declining health laid waste to those plans. Shortly before David died, the couple sold the second home.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Both David and Betty had retired at 58. Their early exits cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost salary and savings.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Betty, now 71, lives in a condo near the family home.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“My plan is to stay there till the bitter end,” she said. “Hopefully, the money will continue to grow and not run out.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Houseknecht has about $80,000 in annual retirement income, between her late husband’s pension, Social Security and savings. She has an aging car, but it’s paid off. She watches her spending. She doesn't travel much. She misses the Sarasota home, “especially this time of year,” she said: Many of her friends are snowbirds.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">If the need should arise for long-term care, she hopes to hire help and remain in her condo. Still, she wonders how many years she has left.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“I could easily live to be a hundred plus,” she said. “That’s kind of a scary thought. I could have another whole lifetime to live yet.”</span></p><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #303030; flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: calc(16.5455px + 0.454545vw); line-height: 1.15; margin: 16px auto 8px; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Retired since 44, and looking to the future</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">At age 44, Deborah Scott-Nettles hadn’t thought much about retirement. Yet, after a series of setbacks, she found herself retired.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Scott-Nettles had worked a range of disparate jobs: Runway model. IRS customer service agent. In 2001, she was working in a college admissions office and dabbling in coursework, looking for a new career path. </span></p><media-image caption="Deborah Scott-Nettles, retired at age 44 and after a series of setbacks is still looking towards the future rather than worrying about finances and retirement." class="spacer-large" credit="Provided by Deborah Scott-Nettles" image-alt="" image-set="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73122281007-image-000000.jpg bestCrop, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73122281007-image-000000.jpg?crop=566,425,x0,y0 4:3, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73122281007-image-000000.jpg?crop=540,719,x26,y0 3:4, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73122281007-image-000000.jpg?crop=566,318,x0,y0 16:9" orientation="vertical" style="background-color: white; display: block; margin: 24px 59.158px; width: 591.658px;" util-module-path="elements/media"><div class="media-image-viewport" id="container"><div class="media-image-wrapper" style="margin: 0px auto; position: relative; width: 591.658px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><img alt="" id="imgContent" src="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73122281007-image-000000.jpg?width=1588" style="width: 591.658px;" /></span></div><div class="img-caption" id="caption" style="color: #626262; font-size: calc(13.2727px + 0.227273vw); line-height: 1.3; margin-top: var(--spacer-twelve,12px); padding: 0 var(--one-column,8.33333333%);"><div class="caption-container" id="imageCaption"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><span id="captionPartOne">Deborah Scott-Nettles, retired at age 44 and after a series of setbacks is still looking towards the future rather than worrying about finances and retirement.</span> </span></div><div class="media-image-credit" style="font-size: calc(11.2727px + 0.227273vw); line-height: var(--line-height-default, 1.15); margin: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">PROVIDED BY DEBORAH SCOTT-NETTLES</span></div></div></div></media-image><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Over several months, her plans fell apart. In October 2001, she tripped on a buckle in a sidewalk and fell, dealing permanent injuries to her neck. Months later, her longtime boyfriend attacked her with an axe.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“I think he just snapped,” she said. “The next thing I remember, I was out in the street, screaming for help.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The axe attack left Scott-Nettles with brain injuries. But she would wait five years to reap disability benefits. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">After a stay in a domestic violence shelter, she wound up homeless and penniless. She eventually moved in with her grown daughter. The boyfriend went to prison.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Between the neck and head injuries, Scott-Nettles lives now in constant pain.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“I have so many different kinds of headaches, they don’t know what to call them,” she said.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">She tried to return to full-time work or study but found she couldn’t cope with either. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Before the injuries, Scott-Nettles had earned $60,000 to $70,000 in some years. Now, at 66, she collects about $2,000 a month in disability and Social Security. She also draws income through a training program at <a href="https://legacylink.org/" previewlistener="true" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-shadow: inset 0 -1px #fff,inset 0 -3px var(--color-active-section,var(--color-current-route,#009bff)); font-size: var(--body-5_-_font-size); letter-spacing: var(--body-5_-_letter-spacing); line-height: var(--body-5_-_line-height); text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 0.063em 0.063em, rgb(255, 255, 255) -0.063em 0.063em, rgb(255, 255, 255) 0.125em 0px, rgb(255, 255, 255) -0.125em 0px;">Legacy Link</a>, a nonprofit that supports adults with disabilities. She lives in Gainesville, Georgia.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">She is thinking of training as a Zumba instructor. She dreams of becoming a motivational speaker, and maybe writing a book.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“If you have the strength, have the fortitude, you can rise above whatever your circumstances are,” she said. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Though she has no retirement savings, Scott-Nettles does not worry about the future. She is savoring her time with her six grandchildren.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“I don’t want for anything,” she said. “I’m driving a nice car. I’m living in a nice apartment. My refrigerator’s full.”</span></p><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #303030; flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: calc(16.5455px + 0.454545vw); line-height: 1.15; margin: 16px auto 8px; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Put out to pasture at 56</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">John Guth planned to work at least until 60, overseeing maintenance on the St. Louis city bus fleet. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Then, Covid hit, a nightmare scenario for public transit. Lost revenue drove the city to offer early retirement. Guth was 56. He rethought his retirement plans.</span></p><media-image caption="John Guth retired early at 56 with very little wiggle room in his budget for spending. Today, at 59, Guth is a hobby farmer." class="spacer-large" credit="Provided by John Guth" image-alt="" image-set="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73122887007-img-9187.jpg bestCrop, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73122887007-img-9187.jpg?crop=515,387,x0,y108 4:3, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73122887007-img-9187.jpg?crop=515,689,x0,y15 3:4, https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73122887007-img-9187.jpg?crop=515,290,x0,y108 16:9" orientation="vertical" style="background-color: white; display: block; margin: 24px 59.158px; width: 591.658px;" util-module-path="elements/media"><div class="media-image-viewport" id="container"><div class="media-image-wrapper" style="margin: 0px auto; position: relative; width: 591.658px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><img alt="" id="imgContent" src="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/03/27/USAT/73122887007-img-9187.jpg?width=1588" style="width: 591.658px;" /></span></div><div class="img-caption" id="caption" style="color: #626262; font-size: calc(13.2727px + 0.227273vw); line-height: 1.3; margin-top: var(--spacer-twelve,12px); padding: 0 var(--one-column,8.33333333%);"><div class="caption-container" id="imageCaption"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><span id="captionPartOne">John Guth retired early at 56 with very little wiggle room in his budget for spending. Today, at 59, Guth is a hobby farmer.</span> </span></div><div class="media-image-credit" style="font-size: calc(11.2727px + 0.227273vw); line-height: var(--line-height-default, 1.15); margin: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">PROVIDED BY JOHN GUTH</span></div></div></div></media-image><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“I had seen several of my coworkers and friends, who could have retired, keep saying, ‘One more year, just one more year,’” Guth said. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“One of them was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer, one was killed in a motorcycle accident on his way home from work, one died from liver cancer, and two died from heart attacks. One, in the middle of the shop floor. There were others, too. They could have retired and instead worked to the day they died. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“I promised myself that wouldn’t be me.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Guth took early retirement. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Retiring early left Guth and his wife “very little wiggle room” with their finances, he said. His income dropped by two-thirds, the difference between his full salary and a city pension. His wife, who raised five children and had little time for work, draws only $600 a month in Social Security. Guth himself is not yet eligible for Social Security.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“I wish we were a little better-prepared financially,” he said. “But we are doing okay.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The Guths sold their house in St. Louis and moved into a rural property they had bought in 2017 as their retirement home. They used the proceeds from the family home to pay off their remaining debt, as well as the last of the student debt they owed for the children, who are grown.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“We are debt-free, and we want to stay there,” he said.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Today, at 59, John Guth is a hobby farmer. He raises goats, rabbits and chickens. The goats provide milk and cheese. The hens lay eggs. The rabbits and chickens provide meat. Food inflation hasn’t affected him much.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“Rabbit meat has become 40-50% of our diet now,” Guth said: Ground rabbit for chili, sausage and pasta sauce, the latter inspiring a dish he calls Bunny Alfredo.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“Between my pension and our Social Security, we should have enough to get by,” he said. Guth also has $200,000 in retirement savings, but his plan is to save it for emergencies. He drives two trucks, both 2004 models. The Guths have no real travel budget: “We’re pretty much homebodies,” he said.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--type-primary,#303030); flex-direction: column; flex: 0 1 83.3333%; font-size: 18px; line-height: var(--line-height-body,1.6); margin: 12px auto; max-width: 83.3333%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“The one thing I love about what we’re doing here is, it keeps you mentally and physically active,” he said. “Before we retired, I didn’t know how to build a goat fence.”</span></p>Anne Sulzbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17091067031029918700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744683886539852356.post-48397483529643517972024-03-28T05:32:00.000-07:002024-03-28T05:32:03.357-07:0014 college majors where the typical graduate is making at least $100,000 by the middle of their careers<p><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyKmpYkEOp3r9thtTQfkJIemoOP59QuVgB8WUyEPwqzi-_EHy17x-Ax_LyyFk5M5MqwA7llKWSDvTU1e2y3aLlmBJT6VU6z6WNeMomZiRCCZolDPQ3KM3D-TQsLrxeg6KySv-NsFcRkN2jhxWTDXKhpnARz7TcXGnn8z7dE_9RyTlClHXOu3u8TCRUQ4/s2048/7xm.xyz254176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1327" data-original-width="2048" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyKmpYkEOp3r9thtTQfkJIemoOP59QuVgB8WUyEPwqzi-_EHy17x-Ax_LyyFk5M5MqwA7llKWSDvTU1e2y3aLlmBJT6VU6z6WNeMomZiRCCZolDPQ3KM3D-TQsLrxeg6KySv-NsFcRkN2jhxWTDXKhpnARz7TcXGnn8z7dE_9RyTlClHXOu3u8TCRUQ4/w640-h414/7xm.xyz254176.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-size: 20px;">When undergraduate college students</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-size: 20px;"> </span>choose their majors<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-size: 20px;">, there can be several factors that go into their decisions.</span></span></p><p class="preview" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-size: 20px; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">But if maximizing one's future earnings is high on their priority list, some areas of study have a better track record than others.</span></p><p class="preview" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-size: 20px; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">A New York Fed <a data-analytics-post-depth="20" data-analytics-product-module="body_link" href="https://www.newyorkfed.org/research/college-labor-market#--:explore:outcomes-by-major" rel=" nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; text-decoration-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">analysis</a> of 2022 American Community Survey data found that college graduates who majored in one of 14 areas of study had a median mid-career wage of at least $100,000 a year. The NY Fed defined mid-career as people between the ages of 35 and 45. The analysis only included people with a bachelor's degree — no additional graduate school education — and used what's noted as people's first major.</span></p><div class="premium-content" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-size: 20px;"><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">One general area of study accounted for nine of the 14 spots: engineering.</span></p><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Chemical engineering majors had the top median mid-career wage of $133,000, per the analysis. Computer engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering rounded out the top five.</span></p><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Eight of the top 10 median wages for people aged 22 to 27 — defined as early-career wages — with a bachelor's were also types of engineering. Computer engineering just surpassed the median wage of chemical engineering for early-career professionals with a bachelor's. None of these median wages were six figures. Computer engineering came closest with a median of $80,000.</span></p><div class="insider-raw-embed premium" data-embed-type="custom" data-script="" data-styles="default-width" data-type="embed" id="1711549492053" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 6px 0px; overflow-x: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><iframe aria-label="Table" data-external="1" frameborder="0" height="1112" id="datawrapper-chart-jjqVd" scrolling="no" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/jjqVd/1/" style="border-style: none; border-width: initial; box-sizing: border-box; height: 1192px; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; width: 0px;" title="Median wages and unemployment of college majors"></iframe></span></div><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">As college tuition rates have risen in recent decades, many Americans have taken on a considerable amount of student debt. The average list price for tuition at public and private colleges has grown from <a data-analytics-post-depth="80" data-analytics-product-module="body_link" href="https://research.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/trends-in-college-pricing-student-aid-2022.pdf" previewlistener="true" rel=" nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; text-decoration-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">roughly</a> $16,000 and $41,000, respectively in 2002-03 to $23,000 and $53,000 in 2022-23, according to a <a data-analytics-post-depth="80" data-analytics-product-module="body_link" href="https://research.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/trends-in-college-pricing-student-aid-2022.pdf" previewlistener="true" rel=" nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; text-decoration-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">College Board</a> analysis. The average American consumer with student loans had a debt balance of roughly $39,000 as of the third quarter of last year, per Experian data.</span></p><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">This changing landscape has caused some people to question whether college is a worthwhile investment. In response to these concerns, some high school graduates have gone straight to the workforce, while others have opted for alternative paths, like community college or trade schools.</span></p><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Not all job openings require someone to have a particular level of education anymore. Kelli Jordan, vice president of IBMer Growth and Development,<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;"> </span><a data-analytics-post-depth="80" data-analytics-product-module="body_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-get-job-without-college-degree-amazon-intel-ibm-2024-3" previewlistener="true" rel="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; text-decoration-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">previously told Business Insider</a> that "more than half of our US job openings don't have a bachelor's degree requirement."</span></p><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Sometimes a college degree is preferred for a job seeker. Automaker Stellantis said in a previous statement that "most non-bargaining unit positions (salaried) require an associate's or bachelor's degree," but also noted that "for some positions, a degree might be a preferred qualification which would open those up to people who can demonstrate proficiency in other ways."</span></p><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">While many young people will continue pursuing four-year degrees, their future earnings potential could play a bigger role in some of their decisions.</span></p><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The five non-engineering majors that came with the highest mid-career median wages in the New York Fed analysis were computer science, finance, economics, construction services, and business analytics.</span></p><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Seventy-three majors were included in the analysis results. College graduates who majored in early childhood education had the lowest median mid-career wage, at $48,000 a year. Other types of education majors had relatively low mid-career median wages, such as the secondary education major.</span></p><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Across all the majors, the median mid-career wage was $80,000 a year. Meanwhile, the wage for early-career workers was $50,000 a year.</span></p></div>Anne Sulzbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17091067031029918700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744683886539852356.post-21745260546667127302024-03-28T05:25:00.000-07:002024-03-28T05:25:24.209-07:005 Industries With The Most Job Openings, Least Competition And Six-Figure Salaries<p><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdVzRN2-bMCDhdjHmfFHfNFK20FhOyaXN7szBwM2Q7P5PBve4ykcWYTODsM9ATUdcBngQnL9Sx9C-SNP2MZDKVpP8xTHBhVQyoUR9aeM98kDCenKIE25Bq6Hm0lwmv-78sLqaKyZfzTihBPcL9SDmlgeunUwUvVLnJ_F6XiSD21Xr3Sf53XUlRgUUZ9Y/s1166/TBS-L-KEYBRIDGECOLLAPSE2-05_24845e.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1166" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdVzRN2-bMCDhdjHmfFHfNFK20FhOyaXN7szBwM2Q7P5PBve4ykcWYTODsM9ATUdcBngQnL9Sx9C-SNP2MZDKVpP8xTHBhVQyoUR9aeM98kDCenKIE25Bq6Hm0lwmv-78sLqaKyZfzTihBPcL9SDmlgeunUwUvVLnJ_F6XiSD21Xr3Sf53XUlRgUUZ9Y/w640-h396/TBS-L-KEYBRIDGECOLLAPSE2-05_24845e.webp" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><br /><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-size: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">According to the</span><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-size: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"> </span><a aria-label="Bureau of Labor Statistics," class="color-link" data-ga-track="ExternalLink:https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf" href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf" previewlistener="true" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #003891; cursor: pointer; font-size: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;" target="_blank" title="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf">Bureau of Labor Statistics,</a><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-size: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-size: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">6.5 million people in the U.S. are currently unemployed. But the good news is there are literally millions of competitors with openings for job seekers on the hunt for a new position. Let’s face it, job hunting is stressful. Sometimes the anxiety is so great that the stress of job seeking can lead to</span><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-size: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"> </span>an array of mental health issues for applicants<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-size: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">.</span></span><p></p><div class="halfway_hardwall_1" style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-size: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; margin: 0px 0px 1.2rem;"></div><div class="article_paragraph_2" style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-size: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; margin: 0px 0px 1.2rem;"></div><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-size: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; margin: 0px 0px 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Career experts highlight the importance of preparation and strategy for prospective candidates. “Approaching the interview stage feeling confident and well-prepared is crucial for job search success,” <a aria-label="Resume Genius" class="color-link" data-ga-track="ExternalLink:https://resumegenius.com/" href="https://resumegenius.com/" previewlistener="true" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit; color: #003891; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank" title="https://resumegenius.com/">Resume Genius</a> career expert Eva Chan told me by email. “From conducting initial company research to successfully following up post-interview, every step of the interview process is an opportunity for job seekers to maximize their chances to land a fulfilling job."</span></p><div class="halfway_hardwall_2" style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-size: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; margin: 0px 0px 1.2rem;"></div><h2 class="subhead-embed color-accent bg-base font-accent font-size text-align" style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-size: 24px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; line-height: 1.25; margin-block: 0px; margin: 1.2rem 0px; scroll-margin-top: 64px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">More Job Opportunities With Less Competition</span></h2><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-size: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; margin: 0px 0px 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Now, there’s more opportunity for job seekers than ever. In a recent <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Forbes.com </em>piece, I identified the five best low-stress, high-paying jobs with six-figure salaries. Business leaders are insisting that a four-year college degree is becoming <a aria-label="a thing of the past" class="color-link" data-ga-track="InternalLink:https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrobinson/2023/10/07/why-more-business-leaders-are-saying-ditch-the-4-year-degree/?sh=16944852940d" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrobinson/2023/10/07/why-more-business-leaders-are-saying-ditch-the-4-year-degree/?sh=16944852940d" previewlistener="true" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit; color: #003891; cursor: pointer;" target="_self" title="https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrobinson/2023/10/07/why-more-business-leaders-are-saying-ditch-the-4-year-degree/?sh=16944852940d">a thing of the past</a> for high-paying jobs, and companies are looking for more skilled job applicants. If you earned an associate degree, you can throw your shoulders back and hold your head high because it’s paying off in spades. Two-year degree candidates are sought after for top-notch jobs where they’re earning big bucks—some as much as six-figures.</span></p><div class="halfway_hardwall_3" style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-size: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; margin: 0px 0px 1.2rem;"></div><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-size: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; margin: 0px 0px 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Max Bramwell, founder of <a aria-label="FounderPass" class="color-link" data-ga-track="ExternalLink:https://www.founderpass.com/" href="https://www.founderpass.com/" previewlistener="true" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit; color: #003891; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank" title="https://www.founderpass.com/">FounderPass</a>, has collected and analyzed the latest data on job openings from <a aria-label="statista" class="color-link" data-ga-track="ExternalLink:https://www.statista.com/statistics/872834/monthly-job-openings-in-the-united-states-by-industry/#:~:text=On%20the%20last%20business%20day,openings%20during%20the%20same%20month." href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/872834/monthly-job-openings-in-the-united-states-by-industry/#:~:text=On%20the%20last%20business%20day,openings%20during%20the%20same%20month." rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit; color: #003891; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank" title="https://www.statista.com/statistics/872834/monthly-job-openings-in-the-united-states-by-industry/#:~:text=On%20the%20last%20business%20day,openings%20during%20the%20same%20month.">statista</a>, gave rankings and cites five key sectors that have a wide range of employment opportunities with job openings in the thousands where job hunters face a lot less competition and in some cases salaries as high as $150,000: Education and Health Services (1986 openings), Professional Business Services (1633 openings), Leisure and Hospitality (1100 openings), Trade, Transportation and Utilities (1051 openings), Government (900 openings).</span></p><div class="halfway_hardwall_4" style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-size: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; margin: 0px 0px 1.2rem;"></div><h2 class="subhead-embed color-accent bg-base font-accent font-size text-align" style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-size: 24px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; line-height: 1.25; margin-block: 0px; margin: 1.2rem 0px; scroll-margin-top: 64px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">1-Education and Health Services</span></h2><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-size: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; margin: 0px 0px 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">According to Bramwell, this sector encompasses a wide range of job opportunities. “Job titles may include teachers, nurses, medical assistants, therapists, and healthcare administrators,” he says. “Key skills sought after in this industry include strong communication skills, empathy, medical knowledge (for healthcare roles) and organizational abilities. Average salaries vary depending on the specific role and level of experience but can range from <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">$30,000 to $100,000 </span>or more per year.”</span></p><h2 class="subhead-embed color-accent bg-base font-accent font-size text-align" style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-size: 24px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; line-height: 1.25; margin-block: 0px; margin: 1.2rem 0px; scroll-margin-top: 64px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">2-Professional Business Services</span></h2><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-size: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; margin: 0px 0px 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“Professional business services is a wide sector, covering a broad spectrum of professions including consulting, legal services, accounting and marketing,” Bramwell explains. “Job titles in this industry include consultants, lawyers, accountants, marketing specialists and project managers. Required skills include analytical thinking, problem-solving, communication and project management. Average salaries can vary depending on the role and level of expertise, but often range from <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">$50,000 to $150,000 per year</span>.”</span></p><div class="article_paragraph_7" style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-size: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; margin: 0px 0px 1.2rem;"></div><h2 class="subhead-embed color-accent bg-base font-accent font-size text-align" style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-size: 24px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; line-height: 1.25; margin-block: 0px; margin: 1.2rem 0px; scroll-margin-top: 64px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">3-Leisure and Hospitality</span></h2><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-size: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; margin: 0px 0px 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">With the reopening of the economy and the resumption of travel and tourism after the pandemic, Bramwell observes that the leisure and hospitality sector is experiencing a surge in job opportunities. “Job titles may include hotel staff, restaurant workers, event planners, tour guides, and customer service representatives,” he points out. “Skills required include customer service, interpersonal skills, flexibility, and adaptability to changing demands. Average salaries in this industry can vary widely depending on the specific role and location, ranging from minimum wage to over <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">$50,000 per year.”</span></span></p><h2 class="subhead-embed color-accent bg-base font-accent font-size text-align" style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-size: 24px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; line-height: 1.25; margin-block: 0px; margin: 1.2rem 0px; scroll-margin-top: 64px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">4-Trade, Transportation and Utilities</span></h2><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-size: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; margin: 0px 0px 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Bramwell reports that this sector encompasses a diverse range of industries, including retail, logistics, transportation and energy, noting that job titles include retail sales associates, truck drivers, warehouse workers, electricians and utility technicians. “Skills such as attention to detail and customer service are essential,” he states. “Physical stamina is needed for some roles, while technical knowledge is required for utility positions. Salaries vary depending on the role and industry but can range from minimum wage to <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">over $70,000 per year.”</span></span></p><h2 class="subhead-embed color-accent bg-base font-accent font-size text-align" style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-size: 24px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; line-height: 1.25; margin-block: 0px; margin: 1.2rem 0px; scroll-margin-top: 64px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">5-Government</span></h2><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-size: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; margin: 0px 0px 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Bramwell mentions that government agencies at the local, state and federal levels offer an array of job opportunities across various sectors, including administration, law enforcement, healthcare and public services. He cites job titles such as administrative assistants, police officers, firefighters, social workers and civil servants. “Skills such as administrative proficiency, problem-solving abilities, teamwork and a commitment to the public good are crucial,” he acknowledges. “But salaries in government roles vary depending on factors such as location, level of government and position, <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;">ranging from $30,000 to $100,000 or more per year.”</span></span></p><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-size: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; margin: 0px 0px 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">As job seekers navigate the ever-changing landscape of employment opportunities, Bramwell insists that staying informed about industry trends and job market dynamics is paramount.</span></p>Anne Sulzbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17091067031029918700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744683886539852356.post-47782382295617037522024-03-28T05:16:00.000-07:002024-03-28T05:16:50.451-07:00Karlie Kloss Is Relaunching LIFE Magazine<p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhXKeG7Rp1EWMgGMAC8XIolIPWlSm48-GD-0fMGHyqFM2_63XYJpGrYbt_7T25eMvSfV7dp9NXTFJa2R0bx6jOsGyWnLUCIi0W_WruwtmRnttZV3wO1ANZbTpnsr7TTPCFI-ubtnHbsO5rftkOKzchqvEOb-7CVjIv36_vgqEhuybQBbsErpGrUPRxx4/s2448/7xm.xyz892872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1608" data-original-width="2448" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhXKeG7Rp1EWMgGMAC8XIolIPWlSm48-GD-0fMGHyqFM2_63XYJpGrYbt_7T25eMvSfV7dp9NXTFJa2R0bx6jOsGyWnLUCIi0W_WruwtmRnttZV3wO1ANZbTpnsr7TTPCFI-ubtnHbsO5rftkOKzchqvEOb-7CVjIv36_vgqEhuybQBbsErpGrUPRxx4/w640-h420/7xm.xyz892872.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Announcement of the Revival</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">1. **Karlie Kloss and Joshua Kushner** have joined forces to revive **LIFE Magazine**, a renowned and iconic photo magazine that ceased regular publication over two decades ago.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">2. Their company, **Bedford Media**, has struck a deal with **Dotdash Meredith** to reintroduce LIFE Magazine in both print and digital formats, signaling a revival of this historic publication.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">### Insights into the Deal</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">3. After acquiring **i-D Magazine** from Vice Media Group, Bedford Media has now secured another significant venture with the revival of LIFE Magazine.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">4. Dotdash Meredith, formed by IAC after acquiring Meredith for $2.7 billion, possesses the full rights to the LIFE photography and content archives dating back to the 1930s. They will also continue to publish special interest magazines for the LIFE brand available on newsstands.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">### Leadership and Strategy</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">5. Karlie Kloss, as the CEO of Bedford Media, expressed the intention for LIFE to be an uplifting and unifying voice in today's chaotic media landscape, acknowledging the magazine's iconic legacy and its ability to connect diverse audiences through universal humanity narratives.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">6. Joshua Kushner, the founder of Thrive Capital, is set to take on the role of publisher for LIFE Magazine, emphasizing LIFE's historical focus on blending culture, current events, and everyday life to underscore the triumphs, challenges, and unique perspectives that shape our world.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">### Historical Context</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">7. LIFE Magazine, which originated in 1883 and enjoyed popular success as a weekly magazine until its publication was halted in 1972 by Time Inc., was revived in 1978 before it experienced a suspension of regular publication in 2000.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">8. Describing itself as a media holding company focused on artisanal storytelling, authenticity, and shared cultural resonance, Bedford Media aims to integrate iconic brands with innovative approaches to engage with audiences, emphasizing quality and depth over ubiquity.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">This significant revitalization effort led by Kloss and Kushner brings anticipation for the return of an influential voice in media, and suggests a renewed focus on meaningful storytelling and cultural resonance. </span></p>Anne Sulzbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17091067031029918700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744683886539852356.post-6625353657461449842024-03-28T01:56:00.000-07:002024-03-28T01:56:41.957-07:00These are the 10 top-paying U.S. cities where women outearn men<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgzAhxe384cPBUUDhWk_LxH1b-xO9QUAIGVOWAHws_pz87VD8OH5wFcS7czsGEyj4li0AbswWLmCnPJpVBSgf_rtXzg5V4qzT8kMIADYT98NbTSR96R2dkX0ZF9W0zJIQtdlq3wtFSHU1wK4g8IlE7mD6M0VoOcE-SmU7_a4Wb-gOAENU5yN6BH__tb4/s3296/i-use-midjourney-for-mock-ups-for-social-media-posts-for-my-v0-j4csk9dpiyqc1.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="3296" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgzAhxe384cPBUUDhWk_LxH1b-xO9QUAIGVOWAHws_pz87VD8OH5wFcS7czsGEyj4li0AbswWLmCnPJpVBSgf_rtXzg5V4qzT8kMIADYT98NbTSR96R2dkX0ZF9W0zJIQtdlq3wtFSHU1wK4g8IlE7mD6M0VoOcE-SmU7_a4Wb-gOAENU5yN6BH__tb4/w640-h280/i-use-midjourney-for-mock-ups-for-social-media-posts-for-my-v0-j4csk9dpiyqc1.webp" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Gender Pay Disparity Analysis</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">1. Out of approximately 1,800 cities analyzed, women outearn men in just 42 U.S. cities, according to a new GoBankingRates report using Census Bureau data.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">2. The report considers the median annual earnings for men and women in cities with a population of at least 20,000 people.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">3. Across the U.S., women are paid just 84 cents for every $1 paid to a man, on average.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">#### Top-Paying Cities Where Women Outearn Men</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">- **Bowie, Md.**: Women earn a median of $81,011 a year</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">- **Clinton, Md.**: Women earn a median of $71,123 a year</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">- **Fort Washington, Md.**: Women earn a median of $69,983 a year</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">- **Oakland, Calif.**: Women earn a median of $68,260 a year</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">- **Goleta, Calif.**: Women earn a median of $65,030 a year</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">- **Laurel, Md.**: Women earn a median of $65,008 a year</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">- **Monrovia, Calif.**: Women earn a median of $62,016 a year</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">- **Hackensack, N.J.**: Women earn a median of $60,237 a year</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">- **Newark, Del.**: Women earn a median of $58,769 a year</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">- **Chamblee, Ga.**: Women earn a median of $58,590 a year</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"> - In each of these cities, women outearn men by a share of 0.14% to 18.95% of what men earn.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">#### Insights and Implications</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">1. Many of the top cities with gender parity and higher earning power for women are near Washington D.C., where government jobs have more transparent pay practices, contributing to greater gender pay parity.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">2. The lack of a gender pay gap in these cities isn’t necessarily indicative of higher earning power for women as some cities have median earnings for women around $30,000 to $40,000.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">3. Women, especially women of color, are overrepresented in minimum wage jobs, pointing towards an existing disparity.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">- Jacksonville, N.C.: Women earn roughly 20% more than men, at $33,000 a year compared with men who earn roughly $27,000 a year. However, this is lower than the national median salary.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">1. Despite the overall high earning rates for women in some cities, men outearn women by a substantial rate in the top-earning cities.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">2. The impact of gender pay disparity is evident, particularly concerning the overrepresentation of women in low-wage jobs, emphasizing the need for measures to address this issue at both local and national levels. </span></p>Anne Sulzbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17091067031029918700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744683886539852356.post-73682224186572995822024-03-28T01:05:00.000-07:002024-03-28T01:05:59.189-07:00Hidden costs, public burden: The real toll of Walmart's "always low prices" Instead of paying a living wage to their employees, taxpayers are footing the bill<p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 20px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrOmwvbK4O5582xWze04YEmdLhHYZbr1twTsdXF5H6LDp8aZOWkAeRhuGwDqnx7hWQ1OF_gxcvx9ihNYuh8atU0_ztM8lAusfVO4N3nfOoO-lLKZNwPPRwjsh3mjaWKcsZgjINjZCI8F8LkurrCq0HQeF5hVwxgLJDsDqZIgxLxg4IOaMLdtO8AD4Z-4/s3360/Arale%20Reartes.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3360" data-original-width="2240" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrOmwvbK4O5582xWze04YEmdLhHYZbr1twTsdXF5H6LDp8aZOWkAeRhuGwDqnx7hWQ1OF_gxcvx9ihNYuh8atU0_ztM8lAusfVO4N3nfOoO-lLKZNwPPRwjsh3mjaWKcsZgjINjZCI8F8LkurrCq0HQeF5hVwxgLJDsDqZIgxLxg4IOaMLdtO8AD4Z-4/w426-h640/Arale%20Reartes.webp" width="426" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /> Walmart, headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, is expanding by constructing a new corporate campus on the east side of town. While the company's current building seems unassuming, the new campus, designed like a college campus, consists of twelve buildings spread over 350 acres and is estimated to cost $1 billion. Bentonville, often referred to as Vendorville, has a close-knit relationship with Walmart and its vendors. The town, with a population of over fifty thousand, has experienced exceptional growth, closely tied to the expansion of Walmart. However, this growth has brought about significant wealth disparity.</span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 20px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The Walton family, the richest family globally, with an estimated net worth of $225 billion, has been instrumental in shaping Bentonville. Their extensive contributions include the construction of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and a new medical school, both bearing the Walton name. Additionally, Sam's grandchildren have invested in the city, funding an art and music festival and promoting Bentonville as the "mountain biking capital of the world."</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 20px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 20px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Despite these contributions, there's an underlying disparity within Bentonville. Statistics reveal that nearly half of the children in Northwest Arkansas are growing up in families with low incomes, while the top 1% of households in the region earn an average of $2 million annually, making it one of the most unequal regions in America. This stark wealth contrast is exacerbated by Walmart's business practices.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 20px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Walmart's expansion strategy, including the construction of new buildings and, at times, the abandonment of older stores, has led to economic challenges in the communities it operates in. The company's actions, such as implementing restrictive covenants in old buildings and exploiting tax loopholes, have further fueled inequality and deprived local communities of essential tax revenue.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 20px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Moreover, Walmart's employment practices, historically marked by low wages and resistance to unionization, have had a profound impact on workers. The company's influence on the labor market has been so significant that it has driven down wages in the areas where it establishes its Supercenters. Furthermore, many Walmart workers are reliant on government public assistance programs, effectively shifting the burden onto taxpayers.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 20px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">While Walmart's dominance in the grocery sector has resulted in a substantial portion of SNAP dollars running through its cash registers, the exact amount the company receives from SNAP remains undisclosed due to a Supreme Court ruling. Walmart's exploitation of these programs underscores the complexities of its impact on local communities and the broader national economy.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 20px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The Waltons, through their extensive wealth and influence, have shaped Bentonville's landscape. Their contributions, however, are juxtaposed with the underbelly of wealth disparity, labor exploitation, and the leveraging of government programs. The dynamics of power and influence within Bentonville raise critical considerations about the societal and economic impact of corporate giants like Walmart and the responsibilities they hold towards the communities they operate in. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 20px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"></p><div class="sim-module-wrapper lazyloaded" data-cy="sim-module" data-expand="1000" data-ref="sim-module-src-wrapper" data-script="https://www.thesun.co.uk/simwidgets/v1/simwidget.js?article_id=10906322&t=1711610383625&page_section=Money&page_section_2=Money:News Money&tags=Drones,Money US,Walmart" id="sim-module" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222526; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; order: 4; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; width: 619.991px; word-spacing: 0px;"><div id="sim-module-src-wrapper" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></div></div><p></p><div class="article__content" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222526; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 2.4rem; order: 3; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; width: 619.991px; word-spacing: 0px;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">WALMART, Chick-fil-A, and 7-11 are rolling out new technology that aims to deliver items to customers in a matter of minutes.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The three mega-brands will be the first companies to launch a new drone delivery service with the<span> </span>Virginia<span> </span>startup DroneUp.</span></p><figure class="article__media" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(173, 175, 176); box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin: 3px 0px 16px; padding: 0px; width: 619.991px;"><div class="article__media-img-container open-gallery" data-index="332597" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; position: relative;"><a href="https://www.the-sun.com/money/10906322/walmart-drone-delivery-7-11-chick-fil-a/#" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #222526; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><img alt="Huge brands are partnering with a Virginia startup to launch a new delivery-by-drone service" class=" lazyloaded" data-credit="DroneUp" data-img="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg?strip=all&w=960" data-sizes="(max-width: 375px) 335px, (max-width: 520px) 480px, 620px" data-src="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg" data-srcset="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg?w=335 335w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg?w=480 480w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg?w=620 620w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg?w=670 670w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg?w=960 960w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg?w=1240 1240w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg?w=1005 1005w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg?w=1440 1440w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg?w=1860 1860w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg?w=1340 1340w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg?w=1920 1920w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg?w=2480 2480w" height="640" role="img" sizes="(max-width: 375px) 335px, (max-width: 520px) 480px, 620px" src="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg" srcset="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg?w=335 335w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg?w=480 480w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg?w=620 620w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg?w=670 670w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg?w=960 960w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg?w=1240 1240w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg?w=1005 1005w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg?w=1440 1440w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg?w=1860 1860w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg?w=1340 1340w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg?w=1920 1920w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/7-11-chick-fil-a-890000470.jpg?w=2480 2480w" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: 619.991px;" width="960" /></span></a><div class="article__gallery-count" style="background-color: rgba(57, 62, 63, 0.8); background-image: url("/assets/thesun/images/gallery_icon.svg"); background-position: 13px center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 23px; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: 32px; pointer-events: none; position: absolute; right: 0px;"><span class="article__gallery-count-value" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: white; display: block; line-height: 2.4rem; padding: 5px 14px 0px 45px; width: 69.4705px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">6</span></span></div></div><figcaption class="article__media-caption" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: 2.2rem; padding: 8px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><span class="article__media-span" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-right: 4px;">Huge brands are partnering with a Virginia startup to launch a new delivery-by-drone service</span><span class="article__credit" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6e7070; display: inline-block; font-weight: 500; line-height: 2.2rem;">Credit: DroneUp</span></span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article__media" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(173, 175, 176); box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin: 3px 0px 16px; padding: 0px; width: 619.991px;"><div class="article__media-img-container open-gallery" data-index="332598" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; position: relative;"><a href="https://www.the-sun.com/money/10906322/walmart-drone-delivery-7-11-chick-fil-a/#" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #222526; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><img alt="DroneUp says it is working with Walmart, 7-11, and Chick-fil-A" class=" lazyloaded" data-credit="Alamy" data-img="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg?strip=all&w=960" data-sizes="(max-width: 375px) 335px, (max-width: 520px) 480px, 620px" data-src="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg" data-srcset="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg?w=335 335w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg?w=480 480w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg?w=620 620w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg?w=670 670w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg?w=960 960w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg?w=1240 1240w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg?w=1005 1005w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg?w=1440 1440w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg?w=1860 1860w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg?w=1340 1340w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg?w=1920 1920w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg?w=2480 2480w" height="640" role="img" sizes="(max-width: 375px) 335px, (max-width: 520px) 480px, 620px" src="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg" srcset="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg?w=335 335w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg?w=480 480w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg?w=620 620w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg?w=670 670w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg?w=960 960w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg?w=1240 1240w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg?w=1005 1005w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg?w=1440 1440w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg?w=1860 1860w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg?w=1340 1340w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg?w=1920 1920w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/walmart-store-facade-displaying-companys-888039145_ab89cf.jpg?w=2480 2480w" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: 619.991px;" width="960" /></span></a><div class="article__gallery-count" style="background-color: rgba(57, 62, 63, 0.8); background-image: url("/assets/thesun/images/gallery_icon.svg"); background-position: 13px center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 23px; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: 32px; pointer-events: none; position: absolute; right: 0px;"><span class="article__gallery-count-value" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: white; display: block; line-height: 2.4rem; padding: 5px 14px 0px 45px; width: 69.4705px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">6</span></span></div></div><figcaption class="article__media-caption" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: 2.2rem; padding: 8px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><span class="article__media-span" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-right: 4px;">DroneUp says it is working with Walmart, 7-11, and Chick-fil-A</span><span class="article__credit" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6e7070; display: inline-block; font-weight: 500; line-height: 2.2rem;">Credit: Alamy</span></span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article__media" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(173, 175, 176); box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin: 3px 0px 16px; padding: 0px; width: 619.991px;"><div class="article__media-img-container open-gallery" data-index="332599" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; position: relative;"><a href="https://www.the-sun.com/money/10906322/walmart-drone-delivery-7-11-chick-fil-a/#" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #222526; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><img alt="The process involves a climate-controlled locker, referred to as DBX, where drones pick up packages" class=" lazyloaded" data-credit="DroneUp" data-img="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg?strip=all&w=960" data-sizes="(max-width: 375px) 335px, (max-width: 520px) 480px, 620px" data-src="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg" data-srcset="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg?w=335 335w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg?w=480 480w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg?w=620 620w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg?w=670 670w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg?w=960 960w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg?w=1240 1240w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg?w=1005 1005w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg?w=1440 1440w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg?w=1860 1860w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg?w=1340 1340w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg?w=1920 1920w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg?w=2480 2480w" height="948" role="img" sizes="(max-width: 375px) 335px, (max-width: 520px) 480px, 620px" src="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg" srcset="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg?w=335 335w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg?w=480 480w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg?w=620 620w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg?w=670 670w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg?w=960 960w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg?w=1240 1240w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg?w=1005 1005w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg?w=1440 1440w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg?w=1860 1860w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg?w=1340 1340w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg?w=1920 1920w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890000458.jpg?w=2480 2480w" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: 619.991px;" width="960" /></span></a><div class="article__gallery-count" style="background-color: rgba(57, 62, 63, 0.8); background-image: url("/assets/thesun/images/gallery_icon.svg"); background-position: 13px center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 23px; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: 32px; pointer-events: none; position: absolute; right: 0px;"><span class="article__gallery-count-value" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: white; display: block; line-height: 2.4rem; padding: 5px 14px 0px 45px; width: 69.4705px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">6</span></span></div></div><figcaption class="article__media-caption" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: 2.2rem; padding: 8px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><span class="article__media-span" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-right: 4px;">The process involves a climate-controlled locker, referred to as DBX, where drones pick up packages</span><span class="article__credit" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6e7070; display: inline-block; font-weight: 500; line-height: 2.2rem;">Credit: DroneUp</span></span></figcaption></figure><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">DroneUp CEO Tom Walker introduced the company's proprietary autonomous drone "ecosystem" on Tuesday, saying it could revolutionize last-mile logistics.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The system differs from existing drone delivery because it includes a climate-controlled locker, referred to as DBX, where drones pick up packages.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The DBX is said to be smaller than a single parking space, allowing smaller<span> </span>retailers<span> </span>to use the new technology too.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The lockers can serve as delivery hubs on college campuses and in cities, giving more people access to drone delivery.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The company says the secure lockers will help ward off porch pirates and can be used by customers seeking to make returns as well.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">When making deliveries, the drones automatically know where to go in the sky, and have the power to avoid any aircraft along the way.</span></p><blockquote class="article__quote" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-weight: 700; line-height: 3.2rem; margin: 3px 0px 13px; overflow: hidden; position: relative; width: 619.991px;"><div class="article__quote-copy" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 20px 0px 65px; padding: 18px 0px 20px; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><div class="article__quote-copy__icon" style="background-color: transparent !important; background-repeat: no-repeat; box-sizing: border-box; content: ""; height: 55px; left: -65px; position: absolute; top: 22px; width: 55px;"><svg viewbox="73.5 9.3 488.3 400.3" x="0px" y="0px"><path class="t-p-fill" d="M226,152c14.2-55.5,51.9-77.2,95-90.1c4.4-1.3,3.6-5.8,3.6-5.8l-6.2-44c0,0-0.9-3.6-6.2-2.7 C159.9,25.4,57.8,141.3,75.5,282c18.6,98.1,95,135.8,164.7,125.6c70.1-11.5,118.5-76.8,107.4-146.9C338.4,198.1,286.4,154.2,226,152 z" fill="#EB1701"></path><path class="t-p-fill" d="M560.3,260.7C551,199,498.6,155.1,438.7,152c15.1-55.5,51.1-77.2,95-90.1c4.4-1.3,3.6-5.8,3.6-5.8l-7.1-44 c0,0-0.9-3.6-6.2-2.7C372.1,26.3,269.1,142.2,288.2,282.9c17.8,97.2,93.7,135,164.3,125.2C522.6,396.1,571,330.9,560.3,260.7 L560.3,260.7z" fill="#EB1701"></path><path class="t-s-fill" d="M347.2,260.7c-5.3-35.1-24-64.4-49.7-83.9c-10.7,32.4-14.7,68.4-9.3,105.7c5.8,32,17.8,57.3,33.7,76.8 C343.2,332.2,353.5,297.1,347.2,260.7z" fill="#A5171C"></path></svg></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;">Throughout the last few years, our work with leading retailers and quick-service restaurants has provided us with valuable insights into the speed and convenience that end customers desire from drone delivery."</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;"></p><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;"></p><cite class="article__quote-credit t-p-color" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: RGBA(var(--primary),1); display: block; font-style: normal; line-height: 1.7rem; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-transform: capitalize;"><span class="quote-credit" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; padding-right: 4px;">DroneUp CEO Tom Walker</span></cite></span></div></blockquote><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">They travel 60 miles per hour within a 30-mile range and pick up packages using a claw-like grabber that can carry up to 10 pounds safely.</span></p><h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: 2.8rem; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">HOW IT WORKS</span></h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The first step in the drove delivery is a customer placing an order online.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Retail or restaurant staff will then box up the customer's order and attach a specific barcode to the package.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Once the box is scanned into the system, an employee will place it into the DBX locker, where it is weighed and shelved for pickup.</span></p><div class="brightcove" id="bc-video-6345362133112" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="brightcove__holder lazyloaded" style="box-sizing: border-box; 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line-height: 2em; margin-left: -35px; margin-top: -35px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; top: 174.366px; transition: background-color 0.3s ease 0s; width: 70px;" title="Play Video" type="button"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><span aria-hidden="true" class="vjs-icon-placeholder" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: inherit; line-height: inherit;"></span></span><span aria-live="polite" class="vjs-control-text" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); color: inherit; height: 1px; line-height: inherit; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Play Video</span></span></button></div></div><span class="article__bc_video-caption" style="background: rgb(34, 37, 38); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; display: block; font-weight: 700; line-height: 2.2rem; margin: 0px 0px 16px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 16px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">'Sounds like a swarm of bees,' customers react to Walmart's new drone service that delivers in just 30 minutes</span></span></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The locker is climate-controlled, meaning the items are kept at the right temperature.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">When the item is ready, a drone is dispatched to the landing pad on top of the DBX.</span></p><div class="advert-wrapper advert-wrapper--advert-inarticle-mpu" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="dfp-ad advert--in-article-mpu nuk-ad-placeholder" data-ad-label="inArticleMPU" id="advert-inarticle-mpu" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></div></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The drone lands on top of the locker and the item is loaded onto the drone via a platform that raises from the top of the DBX.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The company says that the drones are remotely piloted for speed and efficiency as the item heads to its dropoff location.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The entire process is shown in a video on DroneUp's<span> </span><a aria-label="website (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.droneup.com/sites/default/files/2024-03/droneup_dbx_white_box%20%28720p%29.mp4" previewlistener="true" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0072ee; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">website</a>, which notes that each drone can make 50 deliveries per hour.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">"Order goes from store to customer in a matter of minutes," the company said.</span></p><div class="advert-wrapper advert-wrapper--advert-inarticle-mpu-1" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="dfp-ad advert--in-article-mpu nuk-ad-placeholder" data-ad-label="inArticleMPU" id="advert-inarticle-mpu-1" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></div></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The customer then grabs the box from the dropoff point, whether it be their front step or another convenient location.</span></p><h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: 2.8rem; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">'DEMOCRATIZING AIRSPACE'</span></h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">DroneUp has been working with retailers and quick-service restaurants for years, gaining valuable insight into the speed and convenience that customers want from drone delivery, the CEO said.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Walker believes that combining "flying robots" with ground-based automation will allow retailers to lower the cost of delivery.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The average cost of drone delivery is $38 per trip, but 80% of that cost is due to labor, according to Walker.</span></p><div class="advert-wrapper advert-wrapper--advert-inarticle-mpu-2" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="dfp-ad advert--in-article-mpu nuk-ad-placeholder" data-ad-label="inArticleMPU" id="advert-inarticle-mpu-2" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></div></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">"When we put in a DBX, all that labor cost comes out. So overnight, my delivery cost goes from $38 to sub-$10," the CEO told<span> </span><a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/26/walmart-7-11-chick-fil-a-drone-delivery-pilot-droneup" previewlistener="true" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0072ee; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Axios</a>.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">"I'm now competitive with every other last-mile provider, but I'm faster and more reliable."</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Walker believes that this solves many common problems involved in the delivery process.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">"We're going to democratize the airspace," he said.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">"You could be Joe's Tailor Shop and you can have access to this for the same price that a Walmart has access to it.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">"All you have to do is print out the barcode and put the barcode on the package."</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">DroneUp has already rolled out the DBX in Virginia Beach and Dallas and plans to expand to other markets in late 2024.</span></p><figure class="article__media" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(173, 175, 176); box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin: 3px 0px 16px; padding: 0px; width: 619.991px;"><div class="article__media-img-container open-gallery" data-index="332600" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; position: relative;"><a href="https://www.the-sun.com/money/10906322/walmart-drone-delivery-7-11-chick-fil-a/#" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #222526; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><img alt="The locker keeps packages at the right temperature inside until the drone arrives" class=" lazyloaded" data-credit="DroneUp" data-img="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg?strip=all&w=960" data-sizes="(max-width: 375px) 335px, (max-width: 520px) 480px, 620px" data-src="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg" data-srcset="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg?w=335 335w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg?w=480 480w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg?w=620 620w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg?w=670 670w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg?w=960 960w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg?w=1240 1240w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg?w=1005 1005w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg?w=1440 1440w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg?w=1860 1860w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg?w=1340 1340w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg?w=1920 1920w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg?w=2480 2480w" height="505" role="img" sizes="(max-width: 375px) 335px, (max-width: 520px) 480px, 620px" src="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg" srcset="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg?w=335 335w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg?w=480 480w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg?w=620 620w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg?w=670 670w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg?w=960 960w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg?w=1240 1240w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg?w=1005 1005w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg?w=1440 1440w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg?w=1860 1860w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg?w=1340 1340w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg?w=1920 1920w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048291.jpg?w=2480 2480w" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: 619.991px;" width="960" /></span></a><div class="article__gallery-count" style="background-color: rgba(57, 62, 63, 0.8); background-image: url("/assets/thesun/images/gallery_icon.svg"); background-position: 13px center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 23px; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: 32px; pointer-events: none; position: absolute; right: 0px;"><span class="article__gallery-count-value" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: white; display: block; line-height: 2.4rem; padding: 5px 14px 0px 45px; width: 69.4705px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">6</span></span></div></div><figcaption class="article__media-caption" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: 2.2rem; padding: 8px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><span class="article__media-span" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-right: 4px;">The locker keeps packages at the right temperature inside until the drone arrives</span><span class="article__credit" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6e7070; display: inline-block; font-weight: 500; line-height: 2.2rem;">Credit: DroneUp</span></span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article__media" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(173, 175, 176); box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin: 3px 0px 16px; padding: 0px; width: 619.991px;"><div class="article__media-img-container open-gallery" data-index="332601" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; position: relative;"><a href="https://www.the-sun.com/money/10906322/walmart-drone-delivery-7-11-chick-fil-a/#" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #222526; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><img alt="The drone lands on top of the locker and the customer's boxed-up items are grabbed by a claw-like arm that lowers from the drone" class=" lazyloaded" data-credit="DroneUp" data-img="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg?strip=all&w=960" data-sizes="(max-width: 375px) 335px, (max-width: 520px) 480px, 620px" data-src="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg" data-srcset="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg?w=335 335w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg?w=480 480w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg?w=620 620w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg?w=670 670w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg?w=960 960w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg?w=1240 1240w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg?w=1005 1005w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg?w=1440 1440w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg?w=1860 1860w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg?w=1340 1340w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg?w=1920 1920w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg?w=2480 2480w" height="523" role="img" sizes="(max-width: 375px) 335px, (max-width: 520px) 480px, 620px" src="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg" srcset="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg?w=335 335w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg?w=480 480w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg?w=620 620w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg?w=670 670w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg?w=960 960w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg?w=1240 1240w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg?w=1005 1005w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg?w=1440 1440w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg?w=1860 1860w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg?w=1340 1340w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg?w=1920 1920w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048252.jpg?w=2480 2480w" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: 619.991px;" width="960" /></span></a><div class="article__gallery-count" style="background-color: rgba(57, 62, 63, 0.8); background-image: url("/assets/thesun/images/gallery_icon.svg"); background-position: 13px center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 23px; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: 32px; pointer-events: none; position: absolute; right: 0px;"><span class="article__gallery-count-value" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: white; display: block; line-height: 2.4rem; padding: 5px 14px 0px 45px; width: 69.4705px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">6</span></span></div></div><figcaption class="article__media-caption" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: 2.2rem; padding: 8px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><span class="article__media-span" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-right: 4px;">The drone lands on top of the locker and the customer's boxed-up items are grabbed by a claw-like arm that lowers from the drone</span><span class="article__credit" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6e7070; display: inline-block; font-weight: 500; line-height: 2.2rem;">Credit: DroneUp</span></span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article__media" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(173, 175, 176); box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin: 3px 0px 16px; padding: 0px; width: 619.991px;"><div class="article__media-img-container open-gallery" data-index="332602" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; position: relative;"><a href="https://www.the-sun.com/money/10906322/walmart-drone-delivery-7-11-chick-fil-a/#" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #222526; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><img alt="The drone then whizzes the item through the air to the customer's dropoff location" class=" lazyloaded" data-credit="DroneUp" data-img="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg?strip=all&w=960" data-sizes="(max-width: 375px) 335px, (max-width: 520px) 480px, 620px" data-src="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg" data-srcset="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg?w=335 335w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg?w=480 480w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg?w=620 620w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg?w=670 670w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg?w=960 960w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg?w=1240 1240w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg?w=1005 1005w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg?w=1440 1440w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg?w=1860 1860w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg?w=1340 1340w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg?w=1920 1920w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg?w=2480 2480w" height="522" role="img" sizes="(max-width: 375px) 335px, (max-width: 520px) 480px, 620px" src="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg" srcset="https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg?w=335 335w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg?w=480 480w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg?w=620 620w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg?w=670 670w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg?w=960 960w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg?w=1240 1240w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg?w=1005 1005w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg?w=1440 1440w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg?w=1860 1860w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg?w=1340 1340w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg?w=1920 1920w, https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/wont-even-need-go-store-890048289.jpg?w=2480 2480w" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: 619.991px;" width="960" /></span></a><div class="article__gallery-count" style="background-color: rgba(57, 62, 63, 0.8); background-image: url("/assets/thesun/images/gallery_icon.svg"); background-position: 13px center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 23px; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: 32px; pointer-events: none; position: absolute; right: 0px;"><span class="article__gallery-count-value" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: white; display: block; line-height: 2.4rem; padding: 5px 14px 0px 45px; width: 69.4705px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">6</span></span></div></div><figcaption class="article__media-caption" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: 2.2rem; padding: 8px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><span class="article__media-span" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-right: 4px;">The drone then whizzes the item through the air to the customer's dropoff location</span><span class="article__credit" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6e7070; display: inline-block; font-weight: 500; line-height: 2.2rem;">Credit: DroneUp</span></span></figcaption></figure></div>Anne Sulzbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17091067031029918700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744683886539852356.post-3555664718188504712024-03-28T00:20:00.000-07:002024-03-28T00:20:06.696-07:00AI could eliminate nearly 8 million jobs in UK, study shows The technology could herald a "job apocalypse," the study said.<p><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyu0dAbJGtluAT9ofKdodLOuzBD8SmyQJAqRlMEsZYgGU2kByBsWa4LbrO2jcD-Tso9t1xokW_KESIyV30UNA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><br /> Artificial intelligence<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;">could eliminate up to nearly 8 million jobs in the United Kingdom, according to a new</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;"> </span><a class="zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE " data-testid="prism-linkbase" href="https://ippr-org.files.svdcdn.com/production/Downloads/Transformed_by_AI_March24_2024-03-27-121003_kxis.pdf" previewlistener="true" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-bottom: var(--hyperlink-borderBottom,none); box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: var(--hyperlink-display,inline); height: var(--hyperlink-height,auto); outline: 0px; text-decoration: var(--articleBody-p-a-textDecoration,underline); text-underline-offset: var(--hyperlink-textUnderlineOffset,auto); width: var(--hyperlink-width,auto);" target="_blank">study</a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;">, which cautions that women and early-career employees are most at risk of being put out of work.</span></span><p></p><p class="EkqkG nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-p-marginBottom-regular,32px); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Government policy, however, could allow the U.K. to avert job losses and harness AI for a breakneck economic surge, according to the left-leaning Institute for Public Policy Research, the think tank that authored the report.</span></p><p class="EkqkG nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-p-marginBottom-regular,32px); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“The world of knowledge work will be transformed by generative AI,” the report said, referring to a type of AI that can create content, such as text or images. “We need to start preparing for this now.”</span></p><div class="oLzSq QrHMO QBoFd pvsTF EhJPu vPlOC zNYgW OsTsW AkFWX daRVX ISNQ sKyCY eRftA acPPc BZygj nFwaT MCnQE mEeeY SmBjI xegrY VvTxJ iulOd NIuqO zzscu lzDCc aHUBM hbvnu OjMNy eQqcx SVqKB GQmdz jaoD iShaE ONJdw vrZxD OnRTz gbbfF roDbV kRoBe oMlSS gfNzt oJhud eXZcf zhVlX " style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--inlineWrapper-InlineWrapperRegular-marginBottom,32px); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: var(--inlineWrapper-InlineWrapperRegular-marginTop,32px); width: 475.191px;"><div class="zzkIM UtCfs Ufjyt XQpSH " data-testid="prism-divider" style="--divider-bordercolor: var(--inlineWrapper-dividerColor); --divider-borderwidth: var(--inlineWrapper-borderWidth,1px); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-bottom: var(--divider-borderWidth,1px) solid var(--divider-borderColor); box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: var(--inlineWrapper-DividerBottom-marginTop,24px);"></div></div><p class="EkqkG nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-p-marginBottom-regular,32px); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Researchers analyzed 22,000 tasks carried out by workers across the U.K. economy, finding that 11% are currently exposed to the threat of displacement by AI, the study said. The jobs at greatest risk include entry-level, part-time and administrative roles -- a set of positions disproportionately held by women, the study added.</span></p><p class="EkqkG nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-p-marginBottom-regular,32px); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The report describes a soon-to-begin phase of AI adoption during which some of these “low-hanging fruit” jobs will be replaced by the technology. The overall workforce impact over the period could be limited, the study said, but some roles will experience massive effects, such as the elimination of one-third of administrative jobs.</span></p><div class="oLzSq QrHMO QBoFd pvsTF EhJPu vPlOC zNYgW OsTsW AkFWX daRVX ISNQ sKyCY eRftA acPPc BZygj nFwaT MCnQE mEeeY SmBjI xegrY VvTxJ iulOd NIuqO zzscu lzDCc aHUBM hbvnu OjMNy eQqcx SVqKB GQmdz jaoD iShaE ONJdw vrZxD OnRTz gbbfF roDbV kRoBe oMlSS gfNzt oJhud eXZcf zhVlX " style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--inlineWrapper-InlineWrapperRegular-marginBottom,32px); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: var(--inlineWrapper-InlineWrapperRegular-marginTop,32px); width: 475.191px;"></div><p class="EkqkG nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-p-marginBottom-regular,32px); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">A second phase could bring much deeper integration of AI that will threaten up to 59% of tasks, the report said. If companies allow AI to access proprietary information and execute key tasks, the study said, the resulting disruption may slash a wider swathe of jobs, including a larger share of high-paying positions.</span></p><p class="EkqkG nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-p-marginBottom-regular,32px); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">While offering up potential outcomes, the study acknowledged that a wide range of job-displacement scenarios remains possible, including the potential for job losses to be avoided entirely.</span></p><p class="EkqkG nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-p-marginBottom-regular,32px); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Experts who <a class="zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE " data-testid="prism-linkbase" href="https://abcnews.go.com/Business/ai-coming-job-chatgpt-renews-fears/story?id=97079982" previewlistener="true" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: var(--hyperlink-backgroundColor); border-bottom: var(--hyperlink-borderBottom,none); box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: var(--hyperlink-display,inline); height: var(--hyperlink-height,auto); outline: 0px; text-decoration: var(--articleBody-p-a-textDecoration,underline); text-underline-offset: var(--hyperlink-textUnderlineOffset,auto); width: var(--hyperlink-width,auto);" target="_blank">spoke to ABC News</a> last year noted the absence of job losses during a surge of AI adoption over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.</span></p><div class="oLzSq QrHMO fnRUo pvsTF EhJPu vPlOC zNYgW OsTsW RMeqy daRVX ISNQ sKyCY eRftA acPPc MENS nFwaT MCnQE mEeeY SmBjI xegrY rPLsU iulOd NIuqO zzscu lzDCc aHUBM IEgzD OjMNy eQqcx SVqKB GQmdz jaoD VWDdR ONJdw vrZxD OnRTz gbbfF roDbV GPGwb oMlSS gfNzt oJhud eXZcf zhVlX " style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--inlineWrapper-InlineWrapperRegular-marginBottom,32px); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: var(--inlineWrapper-InlineWrapperRegular-marginTop,32px); width: 593.993px;"><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="InlineImage GpQCA lZur asrEW " data-testid="prism-inline-image" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; overflow: hidden; position: relative;"><figure class="kzIjN GNmeK pYrtp dSqFO " data-testid="prism-figure" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit; margin-block: 0px; margin-inline: 0px;"><img alt="PHOTO: AI technology humanoid robot touch screen UI technology AI interface future warehouse export and import future robot technology in this undated stock photo." class="hsDdd vBqtr KrDt zFTjo hakZw HlUVI " data-testid="prism-image" draggable="false" src="https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/676fc5cb-5a23-46be-bd7d-aa61eb724eb9/robot-rf-gty-ml-240327_1711551219396_hpEmbed_3x2.jpg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-radius: var(--inlineImage-common-figure-img-borderRadius,initial); border-style: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: var(--inlineImage-common-figure-img-height); margin: var(--inlineImage-common-figure-img-margin,0); max-width: var(--inlineImage-common-figure-img-maxWidth,100%); width: var(--inlineImage-common-figure-img-width);" /><figcaption style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;"><div class="nMMea bNYiy Mjgpa dGwha DDmxa jgKNG RGHCC aBIU PriDW lZur " data-testid="prism-caption" style="--truncate-button-font: var(--caption-truncateBtn-font,var(--caption-text-font,var(--text-body-sm,var(--typography-t10)))); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 8px; position: relative;"><div class="HXPPJ barbu IzgMt VcHIt uhSzI YGNMU cRAsZ xqMcl QtRul " style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--caption-text-color); line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: var(--caption-text-marginBottom,4px); margin-top: var(--caption-text-marginTop,4px); padding: var(--caption-text-padding);"><span class="hsDdd OOSI GpQCA lZur VlFaz " data-testid="prism-truncate" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit; display: block; line-height: var(--caption-truncate-lineHeight,1.4); max-height: 29px; overflow: hidden; position: relative; transition: max-height 0.3s ease-out 0s;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><span class="gtOSm FbbUW tUtYa vOCwz EQwFq yCufu eEak Qmvg nyTIa SRXVc vzLa jgBfc WXDas CiUCW kqbG zrdEG txGfn ygKVe BbezD UOtxr CVfpq xijV soGRS XgdC sEIlf daWqJ " style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;">AI technology humanoid robot touch screen UI technology AI interface future ware...</span><span aria-hidden="true" class="Truncate__ShowMore--hidden" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit; visibility: hidden;"></span></span></span><button aria-expanded="false" aria-hidden="false" aria-label="Show more" class="rmXUm rGbDS UbGlr fKEHm NQBmG kGyAC LDLer mrzbZ RzTJw hGXEb YKYa-d lqtkC HkWF HfYhe UoVV WtEci dSKvB seFhp NqeUA UzzHi zAeAc gYkWv jIRH mLASH FSaCd VTMUD VTlC KgrzM nMMea bNYiy qEZfD hukhf GZviH aMUVL VwboG LpXnG eFRhh fzuTW hUXYk TsdbM TkDoS NJHde " data-testid="truncate-button" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); align-items: center; appearance: button; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; bottom: 1px; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; display: inline-flex; font-weight: var(--caption-truncateBtn-fontWeight,400); justify-content: center; margin: 0px; outline: none; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline;" type="button"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Show more</span><svg aria-hidden="true" class="HUcap MYLGy QGyss lZur YYqHz stwOr " data-icon="caret-downSmall" data-testid="prism-iconography" height="1em" role="presentation" viewbox="0 0 32 32" width="1em" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><path d="M16 24L4 12.187l2.827-2.853L16 18.374l9.173-9.04L28 12.187 16 24z" fill="currentColor"></path></span></button></span></div><div class="qinlA IpWvx oqZz tylGM lyWxS nWcVF UhTug PPcLh " style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--caption-creditSource-color); letter-spacing: var(--caption-creditSource-letterSpacing); margin-top: 4px; padding: var(--caption-creditSource-padding); text-transform: var(--caption-creditSource-textTransform);"><span class="YNujN JGtjI aZFDu rkKLh gtOSm FbbUW tUtYa vOCwz EQwFq yCufu eEak Qmvg nyTIa SRXVc vzLa jgBfc WXDas CiUCW kqbG zrdEG txGfn ygKVe BbezD UOtxr CVfpq xijV soGRS XgdC sEIlf daWqJ " style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit; color: var(--caption-credit-color);"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images</span></span></div></div></figcaption></figure></div></div></div><p class="EkqkG nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-p-marginBottom-regular,32px); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">While data on the scale of displacement remains limited, the experts said, anecdotes confirm that the technology eliminates some positions while creating others.</span></p><div class="oLzSq QrHMO QBoFd pvsTF EhJPu vPlOC zNYgW OsTsW AkFWX daRVX ISNQ sKyCY eRftA acPPc BZygj nFwaT MCnQE mEeeY SmBjI xegrY VvTxJ iulOd NIuqO zzscu lzDCc aHUBM hbvnu OjMNy eQqcx SVqKB GQmdz jaoD iShaE ONJdw vrZxD OnRTz gbbfF roDbV kRoBe oMlSS gfNzt oJhud eXZcf zhVlX " style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--inlineWrapper-InlineWrapperRegular-marginBottom,32px); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: var(--inlineWrapper-InlineWrapperRegular-marginTop,32px); width: 475.191px;"><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box;"></div></div><p class="EkqkG nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-p-marginBottom-regular,32px); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The increased sophistication and use of AI is expected to displace jobs over the coming years, the experts added. AI will enhance productivity and increase compensation for some jobs but it risks leaving out workers who fail to keep up, they said.</span></p><div class="oLzSq QrHMO QBoFd pvsTF EhJPu vPlOC zNYgW OsTsW AkFWX daRVX ISNQ sKyCY eRftA acPPc BZygj nFwaT MCnQE mEeeY SmBjI xegrY VvTxJ iulOd NIuqO zzscu lzDCc aHUBM hbvnu OjMNy eQqcx SVqKB GQmdz jaoD iShaE ONJdw vrZxD OnRTz gbbfF roDbV kRoBe oMlSS gfNzt oJhud eXZcf zhVlX " style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--inlineWrapper-InlineWrapperRegular-marginBottom,32px); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: var(--inlineWrapper-InlineWrapperRegular-marginTop,32px); width: 475.191px;"></div><p class="EkqkG nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-p-marginBottom-regular,32px); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Artificial intelligence could displace roughly 15% of workers, or 400 million people, worldwide between 2016 and 2030, according to a McKinsey <a class="zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE " data-testid="prism-linkbase" href="https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-work/ai-automation-and-the-future-of-work-ten-things-to-solve-for" previewlistener="true" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: var(--hyperlink-backgroundColor); border-bottom: var(--hyperlink-borderBottom,none); box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: var(--hyperlink-display,inline); height: var(--hyperlink-height,auto); outline: 0px; text-decoration: var(--articleBody-p-a-textDecoration,underline); text-underline-offset: var(--hyperlink-textUnderlineOffset,auto); width: var(--hyperlink-width,auto);" target="_blank">study</a> released in 2018. In a scenario of wide AI adoption, the share of jobs displaced could rise to as much as 30%, the firm found.</span></p><div class="oLzSq QrHMO QBoFd pvsTF EhJPu vPlOC zNYgW OsTsW AkFWX daRVX ISNQ sKyCY eRftA acPPc BZygj nFwaT MCnQE mEeeY SmBjI xegrY VvTxJ iulOd NIuqO zzscu lzDCc aHUBM hbvnu OjMNy eQqcx SVqKB GQmdz jaoD iShaE ONJdw vrZxD OnRTz gbbfF roDbV kRoBe oMlSS gfNzt oJhud eXZcf zhVlX " style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--inlineWrapper-InlineWrapperRegular-marginBottom,32px); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: var(--inlineWrapper-InlineWrapperRegular-marginTop,32px); width: 475.191px;"><div class="zzkIM UtCfs Ufjyt XQpSH " data-testid="prism-divider" style="--divider-bordercolor: var(--inlineWrapper-dividerColor); --divider-borderwidth: var(--inlineWrapper-borderWidth,1px); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-bottom: var(--divider-borderWidth,1px) solid var(--divider-borderColor); box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: var(--inlineWrapper-DividerBottom-marginTop,24px);"></div></div><p class="EkqkG nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-p-marginBottom-regular,32px); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The report out on Tuesday presented policy proposals that the authors believe could reduce the likelihood of job losses and heighten the possibility of an AI-induced economic boom.</span></p><p class="EkqkG nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-p-marginBottom-regular,32px); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">A policy described by the report as “ringfencing,” for example, would mandate the continued use of human involvement for certain tasks, such as medical diagnoses. A combination of government incentives and public-private partnerships could help achieve the measure.</span></p><p class="EkqkG nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-p-marginBottom-regular,32px); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">In its most optimistic potential scenario, the report outlines a future of AI adoption in which no jobs are lost and gross domestic product increases by 13%.</span></p><p class="EkqkG nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: var(--articleBody-p-marginBottom-regular,32px); margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“There is no one predetermined path for how AI implementation will play out,” the report's authors said.</span></p>Anne Sulzbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17091067031029918700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744683886539852356.post-8583684605618993832024-03-27T23:33:00.000-07:002024-03-27T23:33:44.813-07:00Smaller Businesses Looking to Human Workers, Not AI, to Boost ProductivityFor all the talk of AI increasing productivity, most company leaders in a new survey from Deloitte aren't yet reaping the rewards. Instead, they're turning to talent to do the work.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TNJSJPUkgq5IENwLdztlNgpAssgFjUm_ufaZMhKC52QGZj6PXKHuAKV-hFp4HZ8g_v8zM_AdyjNtTLo4FtQWVJuUXgGp2DjaRLgBhrmlDPpHjo-lmq3o_omvKMpfqedq5BwO46eHp9d7TCjUm5cNu-Qwxf05X-6ySkrZQ14EsZiQkIrZfaRWbaFMirU/s1024/in-spectacles-fine-gaze-they-bought-to-view-your-shine-v0-w68im06dqvqc1.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TNJSJPUkgq5IENwLdztlNgpAssgFjUm_ufaZMhKC52QGZj6PXKHuAKV-hFp4HZ8g_v8zM_AdyjNtTLo4FtQWVJuUXgGp2DjaRLgBhrmlDPpHjo-lmq3o_omvKMpfqedq5BwO46eHp9d7TCjUm5cNu-Qwxf05X-6ySkrZQ14EsZiQkIrZfaRWbaFMirU/w640-h640/in-spectacles-fine-gaze-they-bought-to-view-your-shine-v0-w68im06dqvqc1.webp" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">In a recent Deloitte survey, it was found that only 8% of U.S. private company leaders believe that A.I. is currently increasing their organization's productivity. The survey also revealed that smaller companies, with annual revenues under $500 million, are even less likely to prioritize investments in advanced technology like A.I., with only 16% planning to do so, compared to 44% of companies with higher revenues.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">### Emphasis on Skilled Talent</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Interestingly, smaller companies are focusing on using their talent more effectively. Their top priority for driving increased results is to reskill and upskill existing employees. Similarly, larger companies, although more interested in prioritizing A.I., still consider hiring qualified or skilled talent as their main productivity strategy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">### Growing Focus on Skilled Talent</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The focus on skilled talent is on the rise, with the percentage of jobs requiring a college degree decreasing from 51% in 2017 to 44% in 2022. Additionally, employers anticipate approximately 44% of workers' skills to be disrupted in the next five years, emphasizing the increasing importance of hiring for skills and training existing team members on new skills.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">### Future Potential of A.I. for Productivity</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Although A.I. adoption for productivity enhancement is currently low, 87% of survey respondents anticipate A.I.-driven productivity improvements within the next three years. Therefore, while skilled talent remains the current priority for company leaders, they recognize the potential of A.I. as a powerful booster in the future. </span></p>Anne Sulzbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17091067031029918700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744683886539852356.post-81570646771224365052024-03-27T23:30:00.000-07:002024-03-27T23:30:04.247-07:00The 20 Most Creative Companies in the World<p><br /></p><div class="GridWrapper-cAzTTK eRggVV grid grid-margins grid-items-0 ArticlePageChunksGrid-hfxaau bDFJoo" style="--grid-gap: 2rem; --grid-margin: 3rem; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; display: grid; gap: var(--grid-gap); grid-template-columns: repeat(12, 1fr); margin: 0px auto; max-width: 1600px; padding-left: calc(1 * var(--grid-margin)); padding-right: calc(1 * var(--grid-margin)); width: 1183.33px;"><div class="GridItem-buujkM kHPPIF grid--item" style="box-sizing: border-box; grid-column: 3 / span 8; margin-bottom: 1rem;"><div class="BodyWrapper-kufPGa cNkiAg body body__container article__body" data-journey-hook="client-content" data-testid="BodyWrapper" style="--type-token: consumptionEditorial.body-core; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: normal; grid-column: 3 / span 8; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1rem; max-width: 1600px; overflow-wrap: normal; padding: 0px; width: 714.227px;"><div class="body__inner-container" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #2e302f;"><span style="font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.05px;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7QT9fXXxjHn9upkg3BhjM0rskhuaMpW1ZxnVqKkUlkCqyrhDc8erwwmo29cyOIIZXjm_uaVoDRXE5GC7xL2icj_cmgG7eM6pJJFGSSIO6WSdzzJsVjo0vqv7nPPRtoAe-_-ATl4OvqZr_XsszQGEyMaxEmXhrrOh88zpp31MQgcibCP9_dI2GPo7S1Q/s1024/OIG3.6m4RZxHDNYPC0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7QT9fXXxjHn9upkg3BhjM0rskhuaMpW1ZxnVqKkUlkCqyrhDc8erwwmo29cyOIIZXjm_uaVoDRXE5GC7xL2icj_cmgG7eM6pJJFGSSIO6WSdzzJsVjo0vqv7nPPRtoAe-_-ATl4OvqZr_XsszQGEyMaxEmXhrrOh88zpp31MQgcibCP9_dI2GPo7S1Q/w640-h640/OIG3.6m4RZxHDNYPC0.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br />This year, GQ's Global Creativity Awards are focused on recognizing companies that are harnessing creativity to drive business growth and make a positive impact on the world. When we talk about creativity, we mean ingenuity, innovation, originality, and fearlessness. We've surveyed businesses across various industries that impact GQ readers, and we've spoken to the leaders and innovators who are spearheading new projects, developing fresh products, and leading bold initiatives to address significant challenges and revolutionize traditional norms. Throughout our research, we've found that creativity is the prevailing cultural force of our era. </span></span><hr style="background: rgb(18, 18, 18); border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; color: #2e302f; font-size: 20px; height: 2px; letter-spacing: 0.0025em; margin: 40px auto;" /><figure class="AssetEmbedWrapper-eVDQiB byBkf asset-embed" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e302f; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.0025em; margin: 0px auto 40px; padding: 0px; width: 714.227px;"><div class="AssetEmbedAssetContainer-eJxoAx dBHGoQ asset-embed__asset-container" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="SpanWrapper-umhxW jvZaPI responsive-asset AssetEmbedResponsiveAsset-cXBNxi eCxVQK asset-embed__responsive-asset" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; opacity: 1; overflow: hidden; transition: opacity 1s ease 0s;"><picture class="ResponsiveImagePicture-cWuUZO dUOtEa AssetEmbedResponsiveAsset-cXBNxi eCxVQK asset-embed__responsive-asset responsive-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: auto; position: relative; width: 714.227px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><img alt="Image may contain Kendrick Lamar Accessories Bag Handbag Child Person Purse Clothing Footwear Shoe Hat and Adult" class="ResponsiveImageContainer-eybHBd fptoWY responsive-image__image" sizes="100vw" src="https://media.gq.com/photos/6601d7b9a5ad8d155fc25755/master/w_1600%2Cc_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE.jpg" srcset="https://media.gq.com/photos/6601d7b9a5ad8d155fc25755/master/w_120,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE.jpg 120w, https://media.gq.com/photos/6601d7b9a5ad8d155fc25755/master/w_240,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE.jpg 240w, https://media.gq.com/photos/6601d7b9a5ad8d155fc25755/master/w_320,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE.jpg 320w, https://media.gq.com/photos/6601d7b9a5ad8d155fc25755/master/w_640,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE.jpg 640w, https://media.gq.com/photos/6601d7b9a5ad8d155fc25755/master/w_960,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE.jpg 960w, https://media.gq.com/photos/6601d7b9a5ad8d155fc25755/master/w_1280,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE.jpg 1280w, https://media.gq.com/photos/6601d7b9a5ad8d155fc25755/master/w_1600,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE.jpg 1600w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: bottom; width: 714.227px;" /></span></picture></span></div><div class="CaptionWrapper-jSZdqE dVZQpq caption AssetEmbedCaption-fNQBPI cugSjO asset-embed__caption" data-event-boundary="click" data-event-click="{"pattern":"Caption"}" data-in-view="{"pattern":"Caption"}" data-include-experiments="true" style="--type-token: globalEditorial.context-secondary; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: normal; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.42857em; margin-top: 0.5rem; overflow-wrap: normal;"><span class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ CaptionCredit-ejegDm iUEiRd cdsJgg fNaHcW caption__credit" style="--type-token: globalEditorial.context-tertiary; box-sizing: border-box; color: #757776; font-feature-settings: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 8px 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: normal;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Photo Illustrations by Keir Novesky; Photographs: see additional credits at the bottom of the page.</span></span></div></figure><h2 style="--type-token: consumptionEditorial.subhed-break-primary; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-size: 26px; letter-spacing: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.15385em; margin: 40px 0px 16px; overflow-wrap: normal;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Microsoft</span></strong></h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e302f; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.0025em;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The enormous turnaround at Microsoft—today the world’s most valuable company—has been powered by shrewd investments in AI. But to hear Ashley Llorens, a managing director at Microsoft Research, tell it, the company is just getting started. Llorens oversees creative partnerships with outside researchers and is especially excited by a group called AI4Science at Microsoft. “Imagine large AI models that can speak the language of <em style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">nature,</em>” he says. Using AI to decipher those languages opens the door to discoveries galore—medicines, sustainable materials, you name it. “There's a real chance,” he says, “that in a decade, when we look back, we'll see AI for science as the real killer app for artificial intelligence.”</span></p><hr style="background: rgb(18, 18, 18); border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; color: #2e302f; font-size: 20px; height: 2px; letter-spacing: 0.0025em; margin: 40px auto;" /><h2 style="--type-token: consumptionEditorial.subhed-break-primary; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-size: 26px; letter-spacing: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.15385em; margin: 40px 0px 16px; overflow-wrap: normal;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The New York Times Company</span></strong></h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e302f; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.0025em;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Imagination isn’t merely the watchword of startups. The venerable <em style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">New York Times</em>—172 years young—is rethinking its role in readers’ lives, and thus the pool of customers it can reach. “We think the <em style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Times</em> should be the essential subscription for every curious English-speaking person around the world,” says chief product officer Alex Hardiman, explaining that the <em style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Times</em> wants to build creative new “on-ramps”—things such as recipes; podcasts; games like Wordle, Connections, and the crosswords, which last year were played more than 8 billion times. It’s working. The <em style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Times</em> now earns more than $2 billion a year from its 10 million subscribers.</span></p><hr style="background: rgb(18, 18, 18); border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; color: #2e302f; font-size: 20px; height: 2px; letter-spacing: 0.0025em; margin: 40px auto;" /><h2 style="--type-token: consumptionEditorial.subhed-break-primary; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-size: 26px; letter-spacing: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.15385em; margin: 40px 0px 16px; overflow-wrap: normal;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Hermès</span></strong></h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e302f; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.0025em;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The most radical thing about Hermès is also the most old-school: Since its founding in 1837, each object—every saddle, Birkin bag, and silk scarf—has been made by hand. That means even celebrities and the über-wealthy often have to wait months for a handbag, and Hermès’s ability to keep its hero products just out of reach is driving outsize sales, even at a bumpy time for the once-invincible luxury market. Just look at its stock price: Hermès is trading at an all-time high and up nearly tenfold from a decade ago.</span></p><hr style="background: rgb(18, 18, 18); border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; color: #2e302f; font-size: 20px; height: 2px; letter-spacing: 0.0025em; margin: 40px auto;" /><h2 style="--type-token: consumptionEditorial.subhed-break-primary; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-size: 26px; letter-spacing: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.15385em; margin: 40px 0px 16px; overflow-wrap: normal;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Silent House Group</span></strong></h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e302f; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.0025em;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">A couple decades ago, Baz Halpin, a classical musician, went on tour for the first time. “That opened my eyes,” he says. Soon, he built Silent House Group to consolidate the creative chores a touring act must manage—choreography, set design, wardrobe, and so on. Now, in this golden age of the mega-concert, Silent House is staging some of the grandest events on earth, including tours by Harry Styles, Pink, and, yes, Taylor Swift. “Touring has gotten so intense and complicated that the risk of failure is much higher,” says Halpin. But when it works, it’s magic. “The live experience is one of the last bastions of human community.”</span></p><hr style="background: rgb(18, 18, 18); border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; color: #2e302f; font-size: 20px; height: 2px; letter-spacing: 0.0025em; margin: 40px auto;" /><h2 style="--type-token: consumptionEditorial.subhed-break-primary; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-size: 26px; letter-spacing: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.15385em; margin: 40px 0px 16px; overflow-wrap: normal;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Hoka</span></strong></h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e302f; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: 0.0025em;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The founders of Hoka—runners Nico Mermoud and Jean-Luc Diard—wanted a shoe that could tackle the rugged French Alps. This was 2009, when superminimalist footwear was hitting big. Hoka went the other direction, embracing an oversized midsole that was almost cartoonish. “There's just something incredible in terms of how they feel,” says Erika Gabrielli, vice president of global marketing at Hoka. It’s “something that people feel the need to tell their friends and family about.” Now, in addition to winning over athletes (Hoka is the official shoe of Ironman Triathlons), the brand is hot with the fashion set—they’re doling out buzzy collabs with streetwear darlings Brain Dead and lining the shelves of boutiques like Nepenthes in New York and The Broken Arm in Paris. Oh, and they’re selling about a billion and a half dollars in shoes every year.</span></p></div></div></div></div><div class="GridWrapper-cAzTTK eRggVV grid grid-margins grid-items-0 ArticlePageChunksGrid-hfxaau bDFJoo" style="--grid-gap: 2rem; --grid-margin: 3rem; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; display: grid; font-size: 20px; gap: var(--grid-gap); grid-template-columns: repeat(12, 1fr); letter-spacing: 0.05px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 1600px; padding-left: calc(1 * var(--grid-margin)); padding-right: calc(1 * var(--grid-margin)); width: 1183.33px;"><div class="GridItem-buujkM kHPPIF grid--item" style="box-sizing: border-box; grid-column: 3 / span 8; margin-bottom: 1rem;"><div class="BodyWrapper-kufPGa cNkiAg body body__container article__body" data-journey-hook="client-content" data-testid="BodyWrapper" style="--type-token: consumptionEditorial.body-core; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e302f; font-feature-settings: normal; grid-column: 3 / span 8; letter-spacing: 0.0025em; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1rem; max-width: 1600px; overflow-wrap: normal; padding: 0px; width: 714.227px;"><div class="body__inner-container" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><hr style="background: rgb(18, 18, 18); border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; height: 2px; margin: 40px auto;" /><figure class="AssetEmbedWrapper-eVDQiB byBkf asset-embed" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto 40px; padding: 0px; width: 714.227px;"><div class="AssetEmbedAssetContainer-eJxoAx dBHGoQ asset-embed__asset-container" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="SpanWrapper-umhxW jvZaPI responsive-asset AssetEmbedResponsiveAsset-cXBNxi eCxVQK asset-embed__responsive-asset" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; opacity: 1; overflow: hidden; transition: opacity 1s ease 0s;"><picture class="ResponsiveImagePicture-cWuUZO dUOtEa AssetEmbedResponsiveAsset-cXBNxi eCxVQK asset-embed__responsive-asset responsive-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: auto; position: relative; width: 714.227px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><img alt="Image may contain Rich Paul Bernard Arnault Dejounte Murray Adult Person Ball Basketball Basketball and Sport" class="ResponsiveImageContainer-eybHBd fptoWY responsive-image__image" sizes="100vw" src="https://media.gq.com/photos/6601e380c081abc36b271498/master/w_1600%2Cc_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE3.jpg" srcset="https://media.gq.com/photos/6601e380c081abc36b271498/master/w_120,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE3.jpg 120w, https://media.gq.com/photos/6601e380c081abc36b271498/master/w_240,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE3.jpg 240w, https://media.gq.com/photos/6601e380c081abc36b271498/master/w_320,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE3.jpg 320w, https://media.gq.com/photos/6601e380c081abc36b271498/master/w_640,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE3.jpg 640w, https://media.gq.com/photos/6601e380c081abc36b271498/master/w_960,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE3.jpg 960w, https://media.gq.com/photos/6601e380c081abc36b271498/master/w_1280,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE3.jpg 1280w, https://media.gq.com/photos/6601e380c081abc36b271498/master/w_1600,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE3.jpg 1600w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: bottom; width: 714.227px;" /></span></picture></span></div><div class="CaptionWrapper-jSZdqE dVZQpq caption AssetEmbedCaption-fNQBPI cugSjO asset-embed__caption" data-event-boundary="click" data-event-click="{"pattern":"Caption"}" data-in-view="{"pattern":"Caption"}" data-include-experiments="true" style="--type-token: globalEditorial.context-secondary; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: normal; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.42857em; margin-top: 0.5rem; overflow-wrap: normal;"><span class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ CaptionCredit-ejegDm iUEiRd cdsJgg fNaHcW caption__credit" style="--type-token: globalEditorial.context-tertiary; box-sizing: border-box; color: #757776; font-feature-settings: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 8px 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: normal;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Photo Illustrations by Keir Novesky; Photographs: see additional credits at the bottom of the page.</span></span></div></figure><h2 style="--type-token: consumptionEditorial.subhed-break-primary; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-size: 26px; letter-spacing: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.15385em; margin: 40px 0px 16px; overflow-wrap: normal;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Apple</span></strong></h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Every so often, Apple delivers a product that remakes our world. The tech giant’s latest creation, the Vision Pro augmented-reality headset, has been heralded by early adopters as utterly transformative; director James Cameron called it “a religious experience.” The graphics, rendered in 23 million pixels, approximate what it would be like to have a 4K TV in each of your eyeballs. The Vision Pro has already changed the parameters for what’s possible with devices like this—and demonstrated that whatever future we’re hurtling toward, it’s being dreamed up in Cupertino.</span></p><hr style="background: rgb(18, 18, 18); border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; height: 2px; margin: 40px auto;" /><h2 style="--type-token: consumptionEditorial.subhed-break-primary; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-size: 26px; letter-spacing: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.15385em; margin: 40px 0px 16px; overflow-wrap: normal;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Boom Supersonic</span></strong></h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Commercial airline travel that’s faster than the speed of sound is possible—the Concorde proved that before being grounded in 2003—it just has never been all that practical, profitable, or sustainable. Boom wants to change all that, by modernizing how planes get built and pledging to achieve carbon neutrality through the use of sustainable jet fuels and carbon offsets. So far, Boom has secured more than 130 orders for jets that could be aloft within six years. “The goal,” says founder Blake Scholl, “is to build something that people want to fly over and over again, where they’ll almost wish the flight were longer.”</span></p><hr style="background: rgb(18, 18, 18); border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; height: 2px; margin: 40px auto;" /><h2 style="--type-token: consumptionEditorial.subhed-break-primary; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-size: 26px; letter-spacing: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.15385em; margin: 40px 0px 16px; overflow-wrap: normal;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">LVMH</span></strong></h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">From Loro Piana cashmere to Tiffany silver, Dior suits to Dom Pérignon Champagne, luxury juggernaut LVMH manufactures finery of practically every form. And, in recent years, the company has expanded to the realm of experiences, acquiring dozens of hotels and resorts and a bevy of restaurants, all potentially useful in achieving a grandly cohesive objective: to envelop the discerning customer in a world of pure luxury.</span></p><hr style="background: rgb(18, 18, 18); border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; height: 2px; margin: 40px auto;" /><h2 style="--type-token: consumptionEditorial.subhed-break-primary; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-size: 26px; letter-spacing: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.15385em; margin: 40px 0px 16px; overflow-wrap: normal;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Klutch Sports Group</span></strong></h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">When the sports agent Rich Paul left CAA to found his own firm, in 2012, he brought with him one particularly high-profile client—LeBron James—and a plan to shake things up. In the years since, he’s built Klutch Sports Group into the ultimate embodiment of the player empowerment era, as well as a company that elevates a different set of values. “We’re probably the most diverse agency as it pertains to gender and race and balance across the board,” Paul says. “There’s some people that have gone to University of Michigan and Penn, and there’s some kids that pretty much came in off the street.” One of Klutch’s newest focuses is on NCAA NIL opportunities—deals that the agency hopes to broker for college players that can extend into their subsequent pro career. Of course, Paul likes to think he’s not only offering clients endorsements, but also the savvy to spend the money well.</span></p><hr style="background: rgb(18, 18, 18); border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; height: 2px; margin: 40px auto;" /><h2 style="--type-token: consumptionEditorial.subhed-break-primary; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-size: 26px; letter-spacing: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.15385em; margin: 40px 0px 16px; overflow-wrap: normal;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Major Food Group</span></strong></h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">MFG always goes BIG. Big flavors, big dishes, huge menus, ridiculously big prices, and unmatched ambition. They built the hottest restaurant in the world at a tiny space in Greenwich Village and used the momentum like rocket fuel. Now with 40 restaurants around the globe, they’ve launched another hit in NYC (Torrisi) and an obscenely opulent private club. The mood is somehow both old-world and red-hot. “We’re nostalgic at heart,” says Mario Carbone, “but still young enough to connect with the current generation.” Their next grand hospitality play? Real estate development. All that world-building, launched off the back of a really tasty plate of rigatoni.</span></p></div></div></div></div><div class="GridWrapper-cAzTTK eRggVV grid grid-margins grid-items-0 ArticlePageChunksGrid-hfxaau bDFJoo" style="--grid-gap: 2rem; --grid-margin: 3rem; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; display: grid; font-size: 20px; gap: var(--grid-gap); grid-template-columns: repeat(12, 1fr); letter-spacing: 0.05px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 1600px; padding-left: calc(1 * var(--grid-margin)); padding-right: calc(1 * var(--grid-margin)); width: 1183.33px;"><div class="GridItem-buujkM kHPPIF grid--item" style="box-sizing: border-box; grid-column: 3 / span 8; margin-bottom: 1rem;"><div class="BodyWrapper-kufPGa cNkiAg body body__container article__body" data-journey-hook="client-content" data-testid="BodyWrapper" style="--type-token: consumptionEditorial.body-core; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e302f; font-feature-settings: normal; grid-column: 3 / span 8; letter-spacing: 0.0025em; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1rem; max-width: 1600px; overflow-wrap: normal; padding: 0px; width: 714.227px;"><div class="body__inner-container" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><hr style="background: rgb(18, 18, 18); border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; height: 2px; margin: 40px auto;" /><figure class="AssetEmbedWrapper-eVDQiB byBkf asset-embed" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto 40px; padding: 0px; width: 714.227px;"><div class="AssetEmbedAssetContainer-eJxoAx dBHGoQ asset-embed__asset-container" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="SpanWrapper-umhxW jvZaPI responsive-asset AssetEmbedResponsiveAsset-cXBNxi eCxVQK asset-embed__responsive-asset" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; opacity: 1; overflow: hidden; transition: opacity 1s ease 0s;"><picture class="ResponsiveImagePicture-cWuUZO dUOtEa AssetEmbedResponsiveAsset-cXBNxi eCxVQK asset-embed__responsive-asset responsive-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: auto; position: relative; width: 714.227px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><img alt="Image may contain Adult Person Baby Photography Clothing Hat Face Head Portrait Computer Electronics and Chair" class="ResponsiveImageContainer-eybHBd fptoWY responsive-image__image" sizes="100vw" src="https://media.gq.com/photos/6601e37fe7c2a76012a87ae9/master/w_1600%2Cc_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE-2.jpg" srcset="https://media.gq.com/photos/6601e37fe7c2a76012a87ae9/master/w_120,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE-2.jpg 120w, https://media.gq.com/photos/6601e37fe7c2a76012a87ae9/master/w_240,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE-2.jpg 240w, https://media.gq.com/photos/6601e37fe7c2a76012a87ae9/master/w_320,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE-2.jpg 320w, https://media.gq.com/photos/6601e37fe7c2a76012a87ae9/master/w_640,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE-2.jpg 640w, https://media.gq.com/photos/6601e37fe7c2a76012a87ae9/master/w_960,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE-2.jpg 960w, https://media.gq.com/photos/6601e37fe7c2a76012a87ae9/master/w_1280,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE-2.jpg 1280w, https://media.gq.com/photos/6601e37fe7c2a76012a87ae9/master/w_1600,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE-2.jpg 1600w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: bottom; width: 714.227px;" /></span></picture></span></div><div class="CaptionWrapper-jSZdqE dVZQpq caption AssetEmbedCaption-fNQBPI cugSjO asset-embed__caption" data-event-boundary="click" data-event-click="{"pattern":"Caption"}" data-in-view="{"pattern":"Caption"}" data-include-experiments="true" style="--type-token: globalEditorial.context-secondary; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: normal; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.42857em; margin-top: 0.5rem; overflow-wrap: normal;"><span class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ CaptionCredit-ejegDm iUEiRd cdsJgg fNaHcW caption__credit" style="--type-token: globalEditorial.context-tertiary; box-sizing: border-box; color: #757776; font-feature-settings: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 8px 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: normal;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Photo Illustrations by Keir Novesky; Photographs: see additional credits at the bottom of the page.</span></span></div></figure><h2 style="--type-token: consumptionEditorial.subhed-break-primary; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-size: 26px; letter-spacing: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.15385em; margin: 40px 0px 16px; overflow-wrap: normal;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Our Habitas</span></strong></h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Aman and Mandarin Oriental have a nimble new competitor in the luxury hotel space. Our Habitas is betting that wanderlust-y millennials care way more about experiences than about simply getting access to yet another marble bathroom. Using low-impact modular construction, Habitas is able to build properties swiftly and put them in places you’d never expect: a Moroccan lagoon, an encampment in Chile’s Atacama Desert, a forthcoming getaway in the mountains of Bhutan. At the center of each one are communal spaces: fire pits, long dining-room tables. The goal, says CEO Oliver Ripley: “A space that brings people together.”</span></p><hr style="background: rgb(18, 18, 18); border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; height: 2px; margin: 40px auto;" /><h2 style="--type-token: consumptionEditorial.subhed-break-primary; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-size: 26px; letter-spacing: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.15385em; margin: 40px 0px 16px; overflow-wrap: normal;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Paulin, Paulin, Paulin</span></strong></h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Pierre Paulin, the great French furniture designer, was known for his range: grand interiors for presidents, funky lounge chairs. But at the time of his death, in 2009, he was haunted by one unfinished project: a utopian system of furniture for Herman Miller that could shift to outfit any home. “I grew up on the rejected pieces,” says Paulin’s son, Benjamin, who partnered with his wife and mother to create Paulin, Paulin, Paulin, and bring the designer’s unrealized visions to life. It’s been a huge hit: Now Instagram is flooded with the likes of Hailey Bieber and Rich the Kid lounging on Pierre Paulin sofas. For Benjamin, bringing the Herman Miller set to life was especially gratifying. “It was a very avant-garde and crazy idea,” Benjamin says. Now it’s also real.</span></p><hr style="background: rgb(18, 18, 18); border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; height: 2px; margin: 40px auto;" /><h2 style="--type-token: consumptionEditorial.subhed-break-primary; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-size: 26px; letter-spacing: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.15385em; margin: 40px 0px 16px; overflow-wrap: normal;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">A24</span></strong></h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The film studio has established itself as an imprimatur of cool—a producer of the buzziest movies on the planet. Now, its TV shows (HBO’s <em style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Euphoria</em>, Netflix’s <em style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;">Beef</em>) have caught fire as well. From the start, the company’s focus has been to champion the offbeat story. Be a home for fresh voices. And think expansively about what a studio ought to do. Innovations include consumer products like a makeup brand (Half Magic), killer merch, a membership program—they’ve even purchased the off-Broadway Cherry Lane Theatre in New York. The most creative film studio on the planet won’t settle for simply being a film studio.</span></p><hr style="background: rgb(18, 18, 18); border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; height: 2px; margin: 40px auto;" /><h2 style="--type-token: consumptionEditorial.subhed-break-primary; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-size: 26px; letter-spacing: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.15385em; margin: 40px 0px 16px; overflow-wrap: normal;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Nintendo</span></strong></h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Since its days as a playing card company founded way back in 1889, Nintendo has reinvented itself continually, building on what works, chasing the next new thing. Last year it turned fresh takes on classic franchises—Zelda, Super Mario Bros.—into new games and movies that generated more than a billion dollars in sales. It also opened Super Nintendo World, a Hollywood theme park. The push into new terrain proves it’s not content to let the game end anytime soon.</span></p><hr style="background: rgb(18, 18, 18); border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; height: 2px; margin: 40px auto;" /><h2 style="--type-token: consumptionEditorial.subhed-break-primary; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-size: 26px; letter-spacing: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.15385em; margin: 40px 0px 16px; overflow-wrap: normal;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Mischief @ No Fixed Address</span></strong></h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">When Mischief cofounder Greg Hahn helped form the company in 2020, his goal, he says, was to create a “safe place for dangerous ideas.” The agency got to work helping brands redefine themselves. For video-streaming service Tubi, a Super Bowl ad made it seem as if someone had taken over the remote and began scrolling through Tubi’s interface. For Tinder, a series of cinematic spots showed the potential of a one-night stand. With every client—whether its Capri Sun or Coors Light—Mischief starts with two questions: “What are we trying to say? What's the most unignorable way to say that?”</span></p></div></div></div></div><div class="GridWrapper-cAzTTK eRggVV grid grid-margins grid-items-0 ArticlePageChunksGrid-hfxaau bDFJoo" style="--grid-gap: 2rem; --grid-margin: 3rem; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; display: grid; font-size: 20px; gap: var(--grid-gap); grid-template-columns: repeat(12, 1fr); letter-spacing: 0.05px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 1600px; padding-left: calc(1 * var(--grid-margin)); padding-right: calc(1 * var(--grid-margin)); width: 1183.33px;"><div class="GridItem-buujkM kHPPIF grid--item" style="box-sizing: border-box; grid-column: 3 / span 8; margin-bottom: 1rem;"><div class="BodyWrapper-kufPGa cNkiAg body body__container article__body" data-journey-hook="client-content" data-testid="BodyWrapper" style="--type-token: consumptionEditorial.body-core; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e302f; font-feature-settings: normal; grid-column: 3 / span 8; letter-spacing: 0.0025em; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1rem; max-width: 1600px; overflow-wrap: normal; padding: 0px; width: 714.227px;"><div class="body__inner-container" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><hr style="background: rgb(18, 18, 18); border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; height: 2px; margin: 40px auto;" /><figure class="AssetEmbedWrapper-eVDQiB byBkf asset-embed" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto 40px; padding: 0px; width: 714.227px;"><div class="AssetEmbedAssetContainer-eJxoAx dBHGoQ asset-embed__asset-container" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="SpanWrapper-umhxW jvZaPI responsive-asset AssetEmbedResponsiveAsset-cXBNxi eCxVQK asset-embed__responsive-asset" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; opacity: 1; overflow: hidden; transition: opacity 1s ease 0s;"><picture class="ResponsiveImagePicture-cWuUZO dUOtEa AssetEmbedResponsiveAsset-cXBNxi eCxVQK asset-embed__responsive-asset responsive-image" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: auto; position: relative; width: 714.227px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><img alt="Image may contain Advertisement Adult Person Clothing Hat Car Transportation Vehicle Cup Poster Cream and Dessert" class="ResponsiveImageContainer-eybHBd fptoWY responsive-image__image" sizes="100vw" src="https://media.gq.com/photos/6601e380c081abc36b271497/master/w_1600%2Cc_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE4.jpg" srcset="https://media.gq.com/photos/6601e380c081abc36b271497/master/w_120,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE4.jpg 120w, https://media.gq.com/photos/6601e380c081abc36b271497/master/w_240,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE4.jpg 240w, https://media.gq.com/photos/6601e380c081abc36b271497/master/w_320,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE4.jpg 320w, https://media.gq.com/photos/6601e380c081abc36b271497/master/w_640,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE4.jpg 640w, https://media.gq.com/photos/6601e380c081abc36b271497/master/w_960,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE4.jpg 960w, https://media.gq.com/photos/6601e380c081abc36b271497/master/w_1280,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE4.jpg 1280w, https://media.gq.com/photos/6601e380c081abc36b271497/master/w_1600,c_limit/CC-COLLAGE-1-REARRANGE4.jpg 1600w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: bottom; width: 714.227px;" /></span></picture></span></div><div class="CaptionWrapper-jSZdqE dVZQpq caption AssetEmbedCaption-fNQBPI cugSjO asset-embed__caption" data-event-boundary="click" data-event-click="{"pattern":"Caption"}" data-in-view="{"pattern":"Caption"}" data-include-experiments="true" style="--type-token: globalEditorial.context-secondary; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: normal; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.42857em; margin-top: 0.5rem; overflow-wrap: normal;"><span class="BaseWrap-sc-gjQpdd BaseText-ewhhUZ CaptionCredit-ejegDm iUEiRd cdsJgg fNaHcW caption__credit" style="--type-token: globalEditorial.context-tertiary; box-sizing: border-box; color: #757776; font-feature-settings: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 8px 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: normal;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Photo Illustrations by Keir Novesky; Photographs: see additional credits at the bottom of the page.</span></span></div></figure><h2 style="--type-token: consumptionEditorial.subhed-break-primary; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-size: 26px; letter-spacing: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.15385em; margin: 40px 0px 16px; overflow-wrap: normal;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Teenage Engineering</span></strong></h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Jesper Kouthoofd, cofounder of the Swedish consumer-electronics company, says its much-adored retro aesthetic owes to simple rules: Adhere to basic geometry (circles, squares, triangles), use a few classic colors, and stick to one font. “When you’re efficient and restricted you get more creative,” Kouthoofd says. His company makes everything from synthesizers and drum machines to speakers and audio recorders, a range of products that have attracted high-wattage admirers like Travis Scott, Skrillex, and Trent Reznor. Now Teenage Engineering imagines even bigger things: Later this year a handheld AI device that it helped build with Rabbit will begin shipping.</span></p><hr style="background: rgb(18, 18, 18); border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; height: 2px; margin: 40px auto;" /><h2 style="--type-token: consumptionEditorial.subhed-break-primary; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-size: 26px; letter-spacing: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.15385em; margin: 40px 0px 16px; overflow-wrap: normal;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Prada</span></strong></h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Four years ago, Miuccia Prada shocked the fashion world when she announced that the designer Raf Simons would be joining her as the luxury house’s co–creative director—a highly unusual sharing of power. But Mrs. Prada, known for her beguiling jolie laide aesthetic, has never been one to abide by convention. And the unorthodox appointment seemed to reflect the creative spirit of Prada itself, a brand that has commissioned architect Rem Koolhaas to design its show space and stores and that bankrolls the arts through the Prada Foundation. As CEO Gianfranco D’Attis puts it, “Prada is more than a lifestyle. It is a vehicle to communicate our unique perspective on the world.” The company has posted booming earnings of late—and per the influential Lyst Index, Prada is also once again the world’s hottest fashion brand—impressive for a house that’s defined by its elegance of mind.</span></p><hr style="background: rgb(18, 18, 18); border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; height: 2px; margin: 40px auto;" /><h2 style="--type-token: consumptionEditorial.subhed-break-primary; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-size: 26px; letter-spacing: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.15385em; margin: 40px 0px 16px; overflow-wrap: normal;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Kéré Architecture</span></strong></h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">At a time when big-name architects are consumed with skyscrapers for plutocrats, Francis Kéré dreams of something different: a building that “embraces a totally human being,” he says. That humanistic approach has made him a star, celebrated for marrying modern techniques with traditional forms and local materials. One recent project, for an arts center in Fishtail, Montana, features a canopy of heavy logs made to appear weightless; another, for the new National Assembly building in the Republic of Benin, was made to look like a palaver tree, a traditional gathering spot in West Africa. “Sometimes,” Kéré says, “I'm coming out with ideas, if you heard about it, you think, ‘It's impossible.’ But then I turn it to reality.”</span></p><hr style="background: rgb(18, 18, 18); border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; height: 2px; margin: 40px auto;" /><h2 style="--type-token: consumptionEditorial.subhed-break-primary; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-size: 26px; letter-spacing: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.15385em; margin: 40px 0px 16px; overflow-wrap: normal;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Tesla</span></strong></h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Tesla’s cars are energy efficient and fun to drive, but a big part of the appeal is the automaker’s rotating suite of clever, creative, and pragmatic features. There’s “Caraoke” or gaming to pass the time while you charge; “Dog” mode, which maintains a comfortable temperature for your pet when you step out for an errand. These ideas can come from within Tesla or without; many have originated from customers via whatever we’re supposed to call tweets now. But whatever these innovations are, they reflect a culture of unfettered creativity that the big carmakers can’t seem to touch. As head engineer Lars Moravy has put it, “You don’t get to say, well, we’ve done that for 50 years, so that’s the way we’re gonna do it for the next 50.”</span></p><hr style="background: rgb(18, 18, 18); border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; height: 2px; margin: 40px auto;" /><h2 style="--type-token: consumptionEditorial.subhed-break-primary; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-size: 26px; letter-spacing: normal; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.15385em; margin: 40px 0px 16px; overflow-wrap: normal;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Athletic Brewing Company</span></strong></h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Since the dawn of the craft beer revolution, there was no challenge so outrageous that craft brewers wouldn’t at least try it, but one proved almost impossible: brewing a nonalcoholic beer that wasn’t sad and disgusting. “The adult beverage world, if you're not drinking, was brutal,” says Bill Shufelt. So he quit his job on Wall Street, teamed with John Walker, a brewer he’d met online, and in 2018 launched Athletic to reimagine the fundamentals of beer drinking. Today, Athletic controls 20 percent of the NA beer market. Maybe more impressively, the brewer is beating out craft beers that contain alcohol for awards. Sometimes an idea is so simple, smart, and well executed that it doesn’t just launch a great company—it opens up a whole new category.</span></p><div style="box-sizing: border-box;"></div><hr style="background: rgb(18, 18, 18); border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; height: 2px; margin: 40px auto;" /><p style="box-sizing: border-box;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">A version of this story originally appeared in the April/May 2024 issue of GQ with the title “The World’s Most Creative Companies 2024”</span></em></p></div></div></div></div><div class="GridWrapper-cAzTTK eRggVV grid grid-margins grid-items-0 ArticlePageChunksGrid-hfxaau bDFJoo" style="--grid-gap: 2rem; --grid-margin: 3rem; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; display: grid; gap: var(--grid-gap); grid-template-columns: repeat(12, 1fr); letter-spacing: 0.05px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 1600px; padding-left: calc(1 * var(--grid-margin)); padding-right: calc(1 * var(--grid-margin)); width: 1183.33px;"><div class="GridItem-buujkM kHPPIF grid--item" style="box-sizing: border-box; grid-column: 3 / span 8; margin-bottom: 1rem;"><div class="BodyWrapper-kufPGa cNkiAg body body__container article__body" data-journey-hook="client-content" data-testid="BodyWrapper" style="--type-token: consumptionEditorial.body-core; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e302f; font-feature-settings: normal; grid-column: 3 / span 8; letter-spacing: 0.0025em; line-break: auto; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1rem; max-width: 1600px; overflow-wrap: normal; padding: 0px; width: 714.227px;"><div class="body__inner-container" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><hr style="background: rgb(18, 18, 18); border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; font-size: 20px; height: 2px; margin: 40px auto;" /><p style="box-sizing: border-box;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: x-small;">ADDITIONAL CREDITS:</span></strong></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: x-small;">Opening photo illustration: Mischief rocket, Nintendo’s Yoshi, Boom Supersonic, Prada runway model, Athletic Brewing, Tesla, and Teenage Engineering Frekvens: courtesy of the brands. Jeremy Allen White: Devin Yalkin/courtesy of A24. Our Habitas, Bacalar: courtesy of Tanveer Badal for Our Habitas. Taylor Swift: Buda Mendes/Getty Images. Sarbale Ké at Coachella: Iwan Baan. Apple Vision Pro: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images. Michelle Yeoh: Everett Collection/courtesy of A24. Paulin, Paulin & Paulin: Stéphane Aboudaram/courtesy of Paulin, Paulin & Paulin. Background and planet Earth: Getty Images. All logos: courtesy of the brands.</span></em></p></div></div></div></div>Anne Sulzbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17091067031029918700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744683886539852356.post-16586932137732190002024-03-27T22:56:00.000-07:002024-03-27T22:56:14.687-07:00Political Candidate Arrested For Allegedly Punching TikToker In Face, Police Say<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="399" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1haSu8tMiIo" title="Multiple NYC women speak out on TikTok saying they were punched on streets" width="709"></iframe>
<p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; letter-spacing: -0.56px;">A political candidate who ran for office multiple times in New York was arrested Wednesday for allegedly punching a TikToker in the face, police said.</span></span></p><p style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; letter-spacing: -0.56px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Skiboky Stora has ran for mayor, governor and city council as a down-ballot candidate over a three=year span, according to the <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/03/27/us-news/skiboky-stora-arrested-for-sucker-punching-tiktokker/?utm_campaign=nypost&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social" previewlistener="true" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-text-opacity: 1; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">New York Post</a>. He was reportedly charged with assault after allegedly punching Halley Kate, a random woman, in the face Monday, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) said.</span></p><p style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; letter-spacing: -0.56px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3QxZtPyVRuKRf-xPJoBAyIMX_rH_YzFeic4-WKnDyUHdvI35NLug7zx3BhYjmfAjlUMJQv_eIu6CGaV9TPmdEb3F9tdwzVY6kinIynrYTjOm01nSYfQgXyTERQAuMmR1fSSjqsQffFVGQCB_CfpPCvlQPUcNwefTpQSmKO_tPrb2XfxhdIRRva36XmQ/s1080/GJtUTJXWcAEfpQf.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3QxZtPyVRuKRf-xPJoBAyIMX_rH_YzFeic4-WKnDyUHdvI35NLug7zx3BhYjmfAjlUMJQv_eIu6CGaV9TPmdEb3F9tdwzVY6kinIynrYTjOm01nSYfQgXyTERQAuMmR1fSSjqsQffFVGQCB_CfpPCvlQPUcNwefTpQSmKO_tPrb2XfxhdIRRva36XmQ/w640-h640/GJtUTJXWcAEfpQf.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><div align="center" id="dailycaller_incontent_dynamic" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; letter-spacing: -0.56px; min-width: 340px; overflow: visible;"></div><p style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; letter-spacing: -0.56px; margin: 24px 0px 1.5rem;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Kate posted a viral video following the alleged attack as she walked down the streets of Chelsea, the outlet reported. In the video, the victim was seen with a red face. “You guys, I was literally just walking, and a man came up and punched me in the face. Oh my god, it hurts so bad. I can’t even talk,” she alleged.</span></p><p style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; letter-spacing: -0.56px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">“Literally, I fell to the ground,” she continued. “And now this giant goose egg is forming and I’m like — oh my god. It’s so crazy!”</span></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.56px; margin: 0px; padding: 2rem;"><p dir="ltr" lang="en" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">A slew of TikTokkers have come forward to reveal they’ve been punched on the streets of New York City</span></p><p style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Social media influencer Halley Kate posted a video claiming she was punched in the face in broad daylight while walking the streets of NYC <a href="https://t.co/rpNdxE2tkY" previewlistener="true" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-text-opacity: 1; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">pic.twitter.com/rpNdxE2tkY</a></span></p><p style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">— Ronald Kelly (@RonK3l) <a href="https://twitter.com/RonK3l/status/1772965190847418605?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" previewlistener="true" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-text-opacity: 1; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">March 27, 2024</a></span></p></blockquote><p style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; letter-spacing: -0.56px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem;"></p><div align="center" id="dailycaller_incontent_2" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; letter-spacing: -0.56px; overflow: visible;"></div><div id="outbrainPlaceholder" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; letter-spacing: -0.56px;"></div><div class="readmore" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; letter-spacing: -0.56px;"></div><p style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; letter-spacing: -0.56px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Stora was scheduled to appear in Manhattan court on Wednesday morning, <a href="https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/webcrim_attorney/Detail?which=case&docketNumber=B76/LB6TfJ31KGUQIJwmXQ==&courtType=U&countyId=rONpdR1_PLUS_SJ0uG_PLUS_d_PLUS_N1gblw==&docketId=tMcnURrAfo/3wflOuwKZUw==&docketDseq=T/O1YN_PLUS_BG65HkOeqEnpAkw==&defendantName=Stora,+Skiboky&county=&court=New+York+Criminal+Court&recordType=U&recordNum=" previewlistener="true" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-text-opacity: 1; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">court documents</a> showed.</span></p><p style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; letter-spacing: -0.56px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Along with running for office as a down-ballot candidate, Stora also released rap music under the alias Designer Attitude, according to the New York Post. A music video on <a href="https://m.facebook.com/skiboky.stora" previewlistener="true" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-text-opacity: 1; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">Facebook</a> showed the 40-year-old suspect punching the air as he bragged about his wealth and status, the outlet reported. Stora’s Facebook account also lists a SoundCloud account. </span></p><p style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; letter-spacing: -0.56px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">After Kate posted her video, other women on TikTok shared videos about similar experiences of being attacked in the city, <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/03/26/us-news/tiktokkers-report-being-punched-by-strangers-in-nyc/amp/" previewlistener="true" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-text-opacity: 1; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">according</a> to the New York Post. However, Kate reportedly insisted that New York gave her “everything [she’s] grateful for,” saying that her experience was an isolated case.</span></p><p style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; letter-spacing: -0.56px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">“I am not hear to argue that New York City can be really scary at times, but I have lived here for six years, and I have not had anything even remotely similar happen,” Kate stated, the outlet reported.</span></p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="399" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/04hqat8LdH8" title="New York Woman Gets PUNCHED By Man And Men REFUSE To Help" width="709"></iframe><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Another New York City woman gets punched in the face at random <a href="https://t.co/OiFshDP4WC">pic.twitter.com/OiFshDP4WC</a></p>— TRACKER DEEP (@tracker_deep) <a href="https://twitter.com/tracker_deep/status/1773206511008838144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Anne Sulzbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17091067031029918700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744683886539852356.post-72863584174323101722024-03-27T22:15:00.000-07:002024-03-27T22:15:16.526-07:00Office redesigns should focus on enabling hybrid work arrangements, AI: study Employers are looking to invest in AI-powered collaboration tools to enable hybrid work arrangements, a Cisco study finds<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUx4yAu2lVnWI8Z2fYtEPnPd0pIWCJV8gLhwxES0dgup1dZ2oVy6tVNFxJJOMYrALGq7xezi6M8S1dRj8cHvUpdyCNncbhPa4SNTSArn4hJFpR1F9BCNShgeek_N7SyYp222Zz7AglPS7qmtXygna2s7bCR5zZSntFrbB3CgmCl23rXQoFmEfPTxOMyo/s2048/7xm.xyz979179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUx4yAu2lVnWI8Z2fYtEPnPd0pIWCJV8gLhwxES0dgup1dZ2oVy6tVNFxJJOMYrALGq7xezi6M8S1dRj8cHvUpdyCNncbhPa4SNTSArn4hJFpR1F9BCNShgeek_N7SyYp222Zz7AglPS7qmtXygna2s7bCR5zZSntFrbB3CgmCl23rXQoFmEfPTxOMyo/w640-h426/7xm.xyz979179.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 18px;">Employees have positive views about returning to the office but expect it to look and feel differently than it did before the pandemic to accommodate hybrid arrangements as well as facilitating new</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 18px;"> </span><u style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">artificial intelligence (AI)</u><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 18px;">technologies, according to a new study by Cisco.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The Cisco Hybrid Work study – which surveyed 14,050 full-time employees and 3,800 employers from around the world in December 2023 and January 2024 – found that 72% of employees have positive feelings about returning to the office. However, only 47% of employees believe their work environments are equipped for the <u style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">hybrid work era</u>, pointing to a need for office spaces to be redesigned to better support the ways that employees want to work together.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">"Right now, I feel like the role of the office has to fundamentally change compared to the way that it used to be," Jeetu Patel, Cisco EVP and general manager of security and collaboration, told FOX Business in an interview. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">"A third of the people that we surveyed had more than 75% of the office space that was still for personal working spaces. And I actually feel like that defeats the purpose because people want to come in not just so they can work in their cubicle. They want to come in so they can engage with each other and collaborate," Patel said.</span></p><div class="inline image-ct" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><div class="m" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><source media="(max-width: 767px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/03/343/192/Hybrid-Work-Return-to-Office.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/03/686/384/Hybrid-Work-Return-to-Office.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><source media="(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/03/672/378/Hybrid-Work-Return-to-Office.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/03/1344/756/Hybrid-Work-Return-to-Office.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/03/931/523/Hybrid-Work-Return-to-Office.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/03/1862/1046/Hybrid-Work-Return-to-Office.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><source media="(min-width: 1280px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/03/720/405/Hybrid-Work-Return-to-Office.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/03/1440/810/Hybrid-Work-Return-to-Office.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><img alt="Hybrid Work Return to Office" src="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/03/931/523/Hybrid-Work-Return-to-Office.jpg?ve=1&tl=1" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 835.33px;" /></span></picture></div><div class="caption" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Workers are largely optimistic about returning to the office in hybrid arrangements, but don't think their offices are properly equipped for it.</span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Amir Hamja/Bloomberg via / Getty Images)</span></span></p></div></div><div class="credible" data-in-article="true" data-unit-credible=",," style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: -16px 0px 16px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The study found that both employers and employees think the leading factors driving a return to the office as part of a hybrid work arrangement are optimizing productivity (61%), preserving workplace culture (60%) and maintaining team communication (56%). </span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">In terms of the reasons that both employers and employees have positive feelings about returning to the office, the survey found that interacting and socializing with others (74%), collaborating with others (71%), ideating and brainstorming (53%), and developing a sense of belonging (46%) were the leading factors cited by respondents.</span></p><table class="stock-fundamentals" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-collapse: collapse; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-spacing: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 0px; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 36px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 835.33px;"><thead style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><th class="ticker" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 12px 14px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Ticker</span></th><th class="security" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 12px 14px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Security</span></th><th class="last" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 12px 14px; text-align: right; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Last</span></th><th class="change" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 12px 14px; text-align: right; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Change</span></th><th class="percent" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 12px 14px; text-align: right; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Change %</span></th></tr></thead><tbody style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="ticker" style="background: 0px 0px; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 900; letter-spacing: -0.22px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 14px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/quote?stockTicker=CSCO" previewlistener="true" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: background 0s ease 0s, all 0.25s ease 0s, all 0s ease-in-out 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">CSCO</span></a></td><td class="security" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.22px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 14px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">CISCO SYSTEMS INC.</span></td><td class="last" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.22px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 14px; position: relative; text-align: right; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">49.77</span></td><td class="change pos" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #307608; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.22px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 14px; position: relative; text-align: right; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">+0.22</span></td><td class="percent pos" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #307608; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.22px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 14px; position: relative; text-align: right; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">+0.44%</span></td></tr><tr style="background: rgb(246, 248, 250); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="sponsored-by-td" colspan="5" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.22px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The study also found that employers are making a commitment to investing in AI technologies to help enable the hybrid work era, with 73% of U.S. employers saying they'll invest in AI-powered collaboration software and 68% planning to enhance workspaces with AI tech by 2025. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">While 43% of employees have access to AI technologies, less than half feel proficient in using them – which highlights the need for training workers on AI tools and for businesses to select AI tools that meet the needs of both the organization and individual teams.</span></p><div class="inline image-ct" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><div class="m" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><source media="(max-width: 767px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/03/343/192/Cisco-Jeetu-Patel-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/03/686/384/Cisco-Jeetu-Patel-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><source media="(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/03/672/378/Cisco-Jeetu-Patel-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/03/1344/756/Cisco-Jeetu-Patel-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/03/931/523/Cisco-Jeetu-Patel-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/03/1862/1046/Cisco-Jeetu-Patel-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><source media="(min-width: 1280px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/03/720/405/Cisco-Jeetu-Patel-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/03/1440/810/Cisco-Jeetu-Patel-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><img alt="Cisco Jeetu Patel" src="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/03/931/523/Cisco-Jeetu-Patel-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 835.33px;" /></span></picture></div><div class="caption" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Cisco's Jeetu Patel told FOX Business that hybrid work arrangements should ensure younger workers have the opportunity to be mentored by more experienced peers.</span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Al Drago/Bloomberg via / Getty Images)</span></span></p></div></div><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Patel said there is something of a mismatch between older and younger workers in terms of the benefits they get from remote or fully in-office <u style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">work arrangements</u>. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">He explained that younger workers who want to be mentored may find that their more experienced potential mentors are opting to use the flexibility of remote work arrangements to accommodate other aspects of their life. That's one area he said employers with hybrid offices should take into account as they think through redesigns and policy changes.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">"I think what's tricky that we haven't figured out as a society is the early career people need to be mentored by people who have had some experience, and if those people don't show up to the office for the earlier career people, then you've actually lost something in them," he said. </span></p><div class="inline image-ct" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><div class="m" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><source media="(max-width: 767px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/02/343/192/Cisco.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/02/686/384/Cisco.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><source media="(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/02/672/378/Cisco.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/02/1344/756/Cisco.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/02/931/523/Cisco.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/02/1862/1046/Cisco.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><source media="(min-width: 1280px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/02/720/405/Cisco.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/02/1440/810/Cisco.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><img alt="Cisco Systems Headquarters Ahead Of Earning Figures" src="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2024/02/931/523/Cisco.jpg?ve=1&tl=1" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 835.33px;" /></span></picture></div><div class="caption" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Cisco's study found that employers plan to ramp up spending on AI-powered collaboration tools for offices over the next year.</span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via / Getty Images)</span></span></p></div></div><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Patel went on to say that if the world were to go back to the period right before the <u style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">COVID pandemic</u> where most workers were in the office most of the time, the benefits of the expansion of economic opportunity around the world through the proliferation of remote work would be diminished.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">"I think you've lost something special that happened during this time period, which is you opened up the economy to every demographic in the world and every geography in the world, more importantly, to participate in the global economy. Because now, a person in a village in Bangladesh has the same opportunity to participate in the global economy as someone in the heart of Silicon Valley or <u style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">New York City</u>," he explained.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">"On the other hand, I do think it's probably not feasible to say we're never going to meet and we're always going to be virtual," Patel added. "And in my mind, the thing that is the X factor that has to change is you have to acknowledge that there's value to meeting in person, but you have to curate those experiences carefully. But then, on the other hand, I think it would be super valuable to say, 'If I am a next generation leader, what does a next generation leader need to look like?'"</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">"I think a next generation leader who would be successful needs to not require that they've met someone to be able to establish trust in them," he explained. "And if we can make that happen where the speed at which you can establish trust with someone is compressed, and you can do it without meeting someone in person, I think you would unlock so much potential in humanity."</span></p>Anne Sulzbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17091067031029918700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744683886539852356.post-7256810207664878782024-03-27T22:09:00.000-07:002024-03-27T22:09:06.466-07:00AI TO FORCE EVALUATION OF SKILLS AND HR<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMCLXK_i-qUQQ8uodkK1Esybn_wzaRG6PhQNWtVZj16rtdgB7REMrS8IXuwpqb-aCzxcpe3MdrUf9YOwvTkZV0VkvNOfWmoQP9YBLWJExkVvW_Loz6wzF6Sbc9BVk4lTtDcb9cnBkJ74L3u3RpTpk3HmFXTbsXTF1LeZX27aKVyRYpe0IkSJeZLMd4sM/s1080/mtv-real-world-2024-v0-44n5612auyqc1.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMCLXK_i-qUQQ8uodkK1Esybn_wzaRG6PhQNWtVZj16rtdgB7REMrS8IXuwpqb-aCzxcpe3MdrUf9YOwvTkZV0VkvNOfWmoQP9YBLWJExkVvW_Loz6wzF6Sbc9BVk4lTtDcb9cnBkJ74L3u3RpTpk3HmFXTbsXTF1LeZX27aKVyRYpe0IkSJeZLMd4sM/w640-h640/mtv-real-world-2024-v0-44n5612auyqc1.webp" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="color: #4e4e4e;">The majority of business leaders globally, 81%, believe AI and other tech disruptions will force organizations to radically rethink skills and human resources across large areas of their workforce, according to</span><span style="color: #4e4e4e;"> </span><a href="https://insights.wecglobal.org/the-work-we-want/home/" previewlistener="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: #015186; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">a survey</a><span style="color: #4e4e4e;"> </span><span style="color: #4e4e4e;">conducted by the World Employment Confederation. </span></span><p></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: #4e4e4e; line-height: 24px; margin: 20px 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The survey polled hundreds of senior executives from Fortune 2000 companies. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: #4e4e4e; line-height: 24px; margin: 20px 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, 78% of those same executives are concerned that they cannot train employees fast enough to keep pace with technology developments in the next three years. The WEC stated that one of the solutions to bridging unexpected resourcing gaps is an agile workforce. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: #4e4e4e; line-height: 24px; margin: 20px 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Most senior executives, 92%, reported they’ll need a more flexible workforce in the next two years. Employing agency workers becomes increasingly attractive not just as an extra pair of hands but also as a way to access hard-to-find digital skills and access higher-caliber candidates, the WEC stated. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: #4e4e4e; line-height: 24px; margin: 20px 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">At the same time, 79% of senior executives also highlight that employing agency workers with knowledge of a new technology is an effective way to spread understanding to permanent employees. Most (88%) plan to increase their use of agency workers in response to market dynamics. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: #4e4e4e; line-height: 24px; margin: 20px 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">“AI has made agility non-negotiable, and the HR services industry is crucial in helping to fill the labor and skills gaps brought on by digitalization,” said WEC Managing Director Denis Pennel. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: #4e4e4e; line-height: 24px; margin: 20px 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Other key findings from the research found that 80% of senior executives say talent planning has never been more difficult than it is today; 82% say that the approaches used to find and retain talent in the past are no longer fit for purpose; and 83% say that employees now value flexibility around where and when they work as much as other factors such as compensation. </span></p><p class="sc-77igqf-0 fnnahv" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px auto 1.25rem; max-width: 636px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Amazon completed its largest investment in an outside company ever, as it steps up its efforts in the AI race to compete with rivals including Microsoft.</span></p><p class="sc-77igqf-0 fnnahv" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px auto 1.25rem; max-width: 636px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The tech giant made an <span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><a class="sc-1out364-0 dPMosf sc-145m8ut-0 kuiiXm js_link" data-ga="[["Embedded Url","External link","https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/company-news/amazon-anthropic-ai-investment",{"metric25":1}]]" href="https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/company-news/amazon-anthropic-ai-investment" previewlistener="true" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-shadow: rgb(22, 141, 217) 0px -2px 0px inset; box-sizing: inherit; color: black; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.1s ease-out 0s;" target="_blank">additional $2.75 billion investment in AI startup Anthropic</a></span>, it said Wednesday, adding to the <span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">initial $1.25 billion</span> it piled into the company in September.</span></p><p class="sc-77igqf-0 fnnahv" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px auto 1.25rem; max-width: 636px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">“We have a notable history with Anthropic, together helping organizations of all sizes around the world to deploy advanced generative artificial intelligence applications across their organizations,” Swami Sivasubramanian, vice president of data and AI at Amazon Web Services (AWS), said <span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><a class="sc-1out364-0 dPMosf sc-145m8ut-0 kuiiXm js_link" data-ga="[["Embedded Url","External link","https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/company-news/amazon-anthropic-ai-investment",{"metric25":1}]]" href="https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/company-news/amazon-anthropic-ai-investment" previewlistener="true" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-shadow: rgb(22, 141, 217) 0px -2px 0px inset; box-sizing: inherit; color: black; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.1s ease-out 0s;" target="_blank">in a statement</a></span>. “Generative AI is poised to be the most transformational technology of our time, and we believe our strategic collaboration with Anthropic will further improve our customers’ experiences, and look forward to what’s next.”</span></p><p class="sc-77igqf-0 fnnahv" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px auto 1.25rem; max-width: 636px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Anthropic uses AWS as its primary cloud provider for AI safety research and model development. Amazon has also<strong style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: inherit;"> </strong>said Anthropic will use AWS’s AI<strong style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: inherit;"> </strong>chips, <span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><a class="sc-1out364-0 dPMosf sc-145m8ut-0 kuiiXm js_link" data-ga="[["Embedded Url","External link","https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/aws/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-aws-ai-chips-powering-amazons-partnership-with-anthropic",{"metric25":1}]]" href="https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/aws/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-aws-ai-chips-powering-amazons-partnership-with-anthropic" previewlistener="true" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-shadow: rgb(22, 141, 217) 0px -2px 0px inset; box-sizing: inherit; color: black; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.1s ease-out 0s;" target="_blank">Trainium and Inferentia</a></span>, “to build, train, and deploy its future models.” Anthropic also has a long-term commitment to give AWS customers access to its future models through Amazon Bedrock, its service that allows companies <span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><a class="sc-1out364-0 dPMosf sc-145m8ut-0 kuiiXm js_link" data-ga="[["Embedded Url","External link","https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/aws/aws-amazon-bedrock-general-availability-generative-ai-innovations",{"metric25":1}]]" href="https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/aws/aws-amazon-bedrock-general-availability-generative-ai-innovations" previewlistener="true" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-shadow: rgb(22, 141, 217) 0px -2px 0px inset; box-sizing: inherit; color: black; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.1s ease-out 0s;" target="_blank">like Delta Air Lines and Pfizer</a></span> build their generative AI products, Amazon said.</span></p><p class="sc-77igqf-0 fnnahv" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px auto 1.25rem; max-width: 636px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Earlier this month, Anthropic announced its <span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">new family of AI models, Claude 3</span>, which is accessible on Amazon Bedrock. Claude 3 includes Opus, branded as its “most intelligent model,” which Anthropic said outperformed Microsoft-backed OpenAI’s GPT-4 in a range of tasks. In a series of evaluations of industry benchmarks for AI models, including undergraduate- and graduate-level reasoning and common knowledge, <span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><a class="sc-1out364-0 dPMosf sc-145m8ut-0 kuiiXm js_link" data-ga="[["Embedded Url","External link","https://www.anthropic.com/news/claude-3-family",{"metric25":1}]]" href="https://www.anthropic.com/news/claude-3-family" previewlistener="true" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-shadow: rgb(22, 141, 217) 0px -2px 0px inset; box-sizing: inherit; color: black; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.1s ease-out 0s;" target="_blank">Opus outperformed</a></span> the most advanced version of both<strong style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: inherit;"> </strong>ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.</span></p><p class="sc-77igqf-0 fnnahv" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px auto 1.25rem; max-width: 636px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Amazon will keep a minority ownership position in Anthropic, it said.</span></p><p class="sc-77igqf-0 fnnahv" style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px auto 1.25rem; max-width: 636px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"> ### Talent Shortage and Intense Recruitment in the Tech Industry</span></p><p class="sc-77igqf-0 fnnahv" style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px auto 1.25rem; max-width: 636px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">#### Industry Shifts and Recruitment Battles</span></p><p class="sc-77igqf-0 fnnahv" style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px auto 1.25rem; max-width: 636px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">1. **Industry Layoffs and Talent Scarcity**: Despite widespread layoffs in the tech industry, a specific sector is facing challenges in finding suitable talent, sparking fierce competition for skilled professionals. The scarcity of qualified candidates has led to a surge in offers, with reports of salaries reaching up to $1 million.</span></p><p class="sc-77igqf-0 fnnahv" style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px auto 1.25rem; max-width: 636px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">2. **Generous Compensation and Incentives**: Companies, including both small startups and industry giants like OpenAI and Meta, are offering substantial compensation packages and additional perks. These incentives include accelerated stock-vesting schedules and efforts to attract entire teams from rival companies.</span></p><p class="sc-77igqf-0 fnnahv" style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px auto 1.25rem; max-width: 636px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">3. **Shift in Talent Priorities**: Naveen Rao, head of Generative AI at Databricks, noted a significant shift in the sought-after skills, highlighting the imbalance between the surplus of certain talents and the scarcity of others.</span></p><p class="sc-77igqf-0 fnnahv" style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px auto 1.25rem; max-width: 636px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">#### Compensation and Offer Details</span></p><p class="sc-77igqf-0 fnnahv" style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px auto 1.25rem; max-width: 636px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">4. **OpenAI's Median Salary**: OpenAI reportedly offered a median salary, including bonuses and equity, of $925,000, underscoring the extraordinary compensation being offered in this competitive talent landscape.</span></p><p class="sc-77igqf-0 fnnahv" style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px auto 1.25rem; max-width: 636px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">5. **Meta's Compensation Statistics**: Meta, formerly known as Facebook, disclosed that the median compensation, encompassing bonuses and equity, for its 344 machine learning and AI engineers, was approximately $400,000, as reported to Levels.fyi.</span></p><p class="sc-77igqf-0 fnnahv" style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px auto 1.25rem; max-width: 636px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">6. **Recruitment Tactics**: Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has gone to the extent of personally reaching out to AI researchers at Google's DeepMind in a bid to entice them to join Meta. The company has also adjusted its hiring policies, reportedly offering roles without conventional interviews and reconsidering its stance on offering higher salaries to candidates with competitive job offers.</span></p><p class="sc-77igqf-0 fnnahv" style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px auto 1.25rem; max-width: 636px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">#### Industry Dynamics and Business Adjustments</span></p><p class="sc-77igqf-0 fnnahv" style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px auto 1.25rem; max-width: 636px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">7. **Industry-Wide Layoffs and AI Focus**: Major tech giants like Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and Meta have announced layoffs, partly in an effort to realign their focus on AI development. This strategic shift is influenced by the business's response to over-hiring during a significant market boom in 2021, alongside the subsequent need for restructuring due to economic conditions.</span></p><p class="sc-77igqf-0 fnnahv" style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px auto 1.25rem; max-width: 636px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">8. **Business Transformation and Talent Requirements**: Andrew Challenger, an expert in labor and workplace dynamics, emphasized the aggressive cost-cutting measures and the embrace of technological innovations, both of which are reshaping the staffing needs of businesses in the current landscape.</span></p><p class="sc-77igqf-0 fnnahv" style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px auto 1.25rem; max-width: 636px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Through the intense competition for talent and the pronounced impacts on industry dynamics, the tech sector presents an intriguing study of how talent scarcity has prompted organizations to reassess their recruitment strategies and reconsider their compensation norms, culminating in a highly competitive and fluid talent market. </span></p>Anne Sulzbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17091067031029918700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744683886539852356.post-58899959464423032122024-03-27T22:02:00.000-07:002024-03-27T23:09:44.027-07:00Supermarkets supersized their profits during the pandemic Operating incomes at major grocery chains grew in 2021 — and are still climbing<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGLQvxlRrUrIPXZT_baTjTxogSxEWG7OFon8AC5OjBgjObWdERhSvOOjrrWl7DPXvTTzwOSVPk921kn3fRDnF-dp_URGKg59p9kQX3Al2rU8ANd9fo0f2AKFxzCOPQMqihSoDDM6SwBOlN-7Qo35EEXBkWmJzs5bdmQ2ifXeYohWqqpj3LpdPqhdaYSs/s2448/7xm.xyz158979.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1572" data-original-width="2448" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGLQvxlRrUrIPXZT_baTjTxogSxEWG7OFon8AC5OjBgjObWdERhSvOOjrrWl7DPXvTTzwOSVPk921kn3fRDnF-dp_URGKg59p9kQX3Al2rU8ANd9fo0f2AKFxzCOPQMqihSoDDM6SwBOlN-7Qo35EEXBkWmJzs5bdmQ2ifXeYohWqqpj3LpdPqhdaYSs/w640-h410/7xm.xyz158979.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /> <span style="color: #222222;">The supply chain shock of the covid-19 pandemic in 2020 meant higher prices at supermarkets everywhere. But while shoppers forked up more money for their necessities, plenty of supermarkets pocketed the change.</span></span><p></p><p class="sc-77igqf-0 fnnahv" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px auto 1.25rem; max-width: 636px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">A <span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><a class="sc-1out364-0 dPMosf sc-145m8ut-0 kuiiXm js_link" data-ga="[["Embedded Url","External link","https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/p162318supplychainreport2024.pdf",{"metric25":1}]]" href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/p162318supplychainreport2024.pdf" previewlistener="true" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-shadow: rgb(22, 141, 217) 0px -2px 0px inset; box-sizing: inherit; color: black; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.1s ease-out 0s;" target="_blank">new report</a></span> by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reveals how three of the largest grocery retailers in the United States — Kroger, Walmart and Amazon — saw their profits climb amid the pandemic, and how they’ve kept these margins elevated in the years that followed.</span></p><p class="sc-77igqf-0 fnnahv" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px auto 1.25rem; max-width: 636px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The FTC found that in 2021, food and beverage retailer revenues rose to more than 6% over total costs. Those profits are still pushing upwards: in the first nine months of 2023, those profits increased to 7%. In 2022, Kroger reported an operating profit of over $4 billion, Walmart had an operating profit of $21 billion, and Amazon saw a total operating income of $12 billion.</span></p><p class="sc-77igqf-0 fnnahv" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px auto 1.25rem; max-width: 636px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The agency said this “casts doubt on assertions that rising prices at the grocery store are simply moving in lockstep with retailers’ own rising costs.” After all, covid-era lockdowns forced most people to eat at home for months at a time — which meant they had to swallow climbing grocery prices, whether they liked it or not. And the agency said still-high profits warrant further inquiry from the commission and policymakers.</span></p><p class="sc-77igqf-0 fnnahv" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px auto 1.25rem; max-width: 636px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">“Some firms seem to have used rising costs as an opportunity to further hike prices to increase their profits, and profits remain elevated even as supply chain pressures have eased,” the FTC wrote in its report.</span></p><p class="sc-77igqf-0 fnnahv" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px auto 1.25rem; max-width: 636px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Food-at-home prices in the U.S., which capture grocery and supermarket foods, <span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><a class="sc-1out364-0 dPMosf sc-145m8ut-0 kuiiXm js_link" data-ga="[["Embedded Url","External link","https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-price-outlook/summary-findings/",{"metric25":1}]]" href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-price-outlook/summary-findings/" previewlistener="true" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-shadow: rgb(22, 141, 217) 0px -2px 0px inset; box-sizing: inherit; color: black; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.1s ease-out 0s;" target="_blank">increased by 5%</a></span> in 2023, moderating somewhat after an 11.4% increase a year earlier. The Department of Agriculture forecasts that food prices will continue to decelerate in 2024, growing by an estimated 1.6% this year.</span></p><p class="sc-77igqf-0 fnnahv" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px auto 1.25rem; max-width: 636px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">And some retailers tout that they’re lowering prices — or some prices. Walmart president and CEO Doug McMillon suggested in a <span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">recent call with analysts</span> that prices for some staple goods at the company have been dropped.</span></p><div class="js_ymal-below-post" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></div><p class="sc-77igqf-0 fnnahv" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; line-height: 29px; margin: 0px auto 1.25rem; max-width: 636px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">“Our general merchandise prices are lower than a year ago and even two years ago in some categories, which means our customers are finding value in areas like apparel and hard lines,” McMillon said, pointing to eggs, apples, and deli snacks as being among the food items with smaller prices on their stickers.</span></p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="399" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JWHzs4YG1sM" title="How a consumer pullback is hitting restaurant stocks" width="709"></iframe><iframe width="709" height="399" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EsNRIe-ABYQ" title="Fast-food companies see fewer low-income diners | REUTERS" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>Anne Sulzbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17091067031029918700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744683886539852356.post-47363954881089897242024-03-27T07:34:00.000-07:002024-03-27T07:34:20.592-07:00Racial tensions cost Germany Inc. skilled foreign labour<p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuXg-kfvkDj9kaqWdAEM9aqrwTY097Pm7sDqooYO3GqAbOh3kE8AeWEYyRbW7kYWbUEV8GZeVsnYDChowsn1wba_Yi7CzLfp5DAHcYt7aH47VBy38uGcWy_8bK7cSizurkTPOD5H-irQcNXG9AIn8byYbuOFgwXge1LjfwtTtDPelNA30FF2N4IVJZ0A/s2304/7xm.xyz_972901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="1664" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuXg-kfvkDj9kaqWdAEM9aqrwTY097Pm7sDqooYO3GqAbOh3kE8AeWEYyRbW7kYWbUEV8GZeVsnYDChowsn1wba_Yi7CzLfp5DAHcYt7aH47VBy38uGcWy_8bK7cSizurkTPOD5H-irQcNXG9AIn8byYbuOFgwXge1LjfwtTtDPelNA30FF2N4IVJZ0A/w462-h640/7xm.xyz_972901.jpg" width="462" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /> <span style="color: #404040;">(Reuters) - Manager Joerg Engelmann says he has pulled out all the stops to attract skilled foreign workers to his chemical engineering company in Chemnitz, east Germany. But once they arrived, the racial slurs and exclusion they experienced in the town drove some of them away.</span></span><p></p><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">His firm is one of five German medium-sized companies that told Reuters their foreign staff recently moved on or switched locations due to xenophobia, even as Europe's biggest economy suffers a shortage of skilled labour.</span></div><div class="article-body__element__2p5pI" style="margin: 24px 0px; width: 708.663px;"></div><figure class="article-body__element__2p5pI" data-testid="graphic-0" style="margin: 0px 0px 24px; width: 708.663px;"><div class="reuters-graphic__image-container__2YWXt reuters-graphic__with-restricted-dimensions__3iyMG" style="margin: 0px auto; max-height: 600px; max-width: 672px; overflow: auto;"><div data-testid="Image"><div class="styles__image-container__3hkY5 styles__fill__22EeH styles__center_center__1CNY5 styles__apply-ratio__1JYnB" style="--aspect-ratio: 0; --focal-x: 0; --focal-y: 0; aspect-ratio: var(--aspect-ratio); height: inherit; position: relative;"><img alt="Reuters Graphics" src="https://www.reuters.com/graphics/GERMANY-POLITICS/FAR%20RIGHT-COMPANIES/lgpdnxbqypo/chart.png" style="display: block; height: 473.229px; object-fit: fill; object-position: center center; width: 671.997px;" /></div></div></div><figcaption class="text__text__1FZLe text__medium-grey__3A_RT text__regular__2N1Xr text__ultra_small__37j9j body__base__22dCE body__ultra_small_body__1lUQl reuters-graphic__figcaption__1lRLn" data-testid="Body" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #666666; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin: 4px 0px 0px; max-width: 720px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Reuters Graphics</span></figcaption></figure><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Many large companies in Germany and the Netherlands have expressed <a class="text__text__1FZLe text__inherit-color__3208F text__inherit-font__1Y8w3 text__inherit-size__1DZJi link__link__3Ji6W link__underline_default__2prE_" data-testid="Link" href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/german-ceos-warn-far-right-threat-economy-2024-01-17/" previewlistener="true" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: inherit;">concern</a> about the difficulty of hiring due to anti-immigrant sentiment. Some employers go a step further, saying they are actually losing staff because of it.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">CAC Engineering GmbH, the family-owned company Engelmann runs, has lost around five of its 40 foreign employees over the past 12 months because of discrimination, he told Reuters. The company declined to make its former staff available to Reuters.</span></div><div class="article-body__element__2p5pI" style="margin: 24px 0px; width: 708.663px;"></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">"We do what we can. But we can't become bodyguards," said Engelmann, 57. "There are parts of the population who don't realise that these are foreign skilled workers who want to make a real contribution in Germany."</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">CAC did not give details, but xenophobic hate crime cases recorded across Germany by the interior ministry more than tripled between 2013 and 2022 to more than 10,000. Overall, Engelmann said, high energy costs pose a bigger challenge.</span></div><div class="article-body__element__2p5pI" style="margin: 24px 0px; width: 708.663px;"></div><figure class="article-body__element__2p5pI" data-testid="graphic-1" style="margin: 0px 0px 24px; width: 708.663px;"><div class="reuters-graphic__image-container__2YWXt reuters-graphic__with-restricted-dimensions__3iyMG" style="margin: 0px auto; max-height: 600px; max-width: 672px; overflow: auto;"><div data-testid="Image"><div class="styles__image-container__3hkY5 styles__fill__22EeH styles__center_center__1CNY5 styles__apply-ratio__1JYnB" style="--aspect-ratio: 0; --focal-x: 0; --focal-y: 0; aspect-ratio: var(--aspect-ratio); height: inherit; position: relative;"><img alt="Reuters Graphics" src="https://www.reuters.com/graphics/GERMANY-POLITICS/FAR%20RIGHT-COMPANIES/zjpqwadawpx/chart.png" style="display: block; height: 654.505px; object-fit: fill; object-position: center center; width: 655.33px;" /></div></div></div><figcaption class="text__text__1FZLe text__medium-grey__3A_RT text__regular__2N1Xr text__ultra_small__37j9j body__base__22dCE body__ultra_small_body__1lUQl reuters-graphic__figcaption__1lRLn" data-testid="Body" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #666666; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin: 4px 0px 0px; max-width: 720px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Reuters Graphics</span></figcaption></figure><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Official German estimates suggest the country as a whole will be <a class="text__text__1FZLe text__inherit-color__3208F text__inherit-font__1Y8w3 text__inherit-size__1DZJi link__link__3Ji6W link__underline_default__2prE_" data-testid="Link" href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/germanys-shortage-workers-is-biggest-risk-growth-minister-says-2024-02-21/" previewlistener="true" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: inherit;">short of</a> seven million skilled workers by 2035, compared with a labour force of around 46 million.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The climate is more hostile in eastern Germany, where after the fall of communism plant closures and layoffs saw an exodus of young people and a lower birth rate.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-8" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Chemnitz, in the state of Saxony near the Czech border, is trying to attract skilled workers -- Engelmann's firm says it helps arrange temporary housing, language and even driving lessons to encourage foreign employees to settle.</span></div><div class="article-body__element__2p5pI" style="margin: 24px 0px; width: 708.663px;"></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">But Chemnitz has become a focus of anti-immigrant feelings since 2018 when anti-migrant protests in the city turned to <a class="text__text__1FZLe text__inherit-color__3208F text__inherit-font__1Y8w3 text__inherit-size__1DZJi link__link__3Ji6W link__underline_default__2prE_" data-testid="Link" href="https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN1LC1D9/" previewlistener="true" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: inherit;">riots</a>.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Largely destroyed during World War Two and rebuilt under Communism as Karl-Marx-Stadt, it was one of Germany's richest cities at the turn of the 20th century.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-11" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Since reunification in 1990, its population has shrunk by around 20% to just over 250,000. Foreigners have jumped to nearly 14% of inhabitants from just over 2% in 2000, according to data from the Chemnitz-based FOG Institute for Market and Social Research.</span></div><div class="article-body__element__2p5pI" style="margin: 24px 0px; width: 708.663px;"></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">On Monday evenings at around 6 pm, around 250 people march through the town in a regular "Monday demonstration" promoted by one of the far-right parties that make up a quarter of the city council's members. Marchers at a recent event sang nationalist songs, beat drums and waved the flags of Saxony, Germany and Russia.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-13" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Resident Farid Mokbil, 31, an Egyptian who came to Germany to teach German to foreigners, said he is happy in the town overall: He experiences racism often but doesn't take it personally.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">"In the first week here I went shopping at the supermarket and an elderly woman just looked at me – I'm not sure if it was my appearance - but she just started shouting," he said. "Such weird situations happen ... A few days ago in the tram, a boy said loudly, 'Here there are only Afghans who want to steal.'"</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Christine Willauer, 84, a lifelong Chemnitz resident, said she felt asylum-seekers in Germany got financial benefits that the elderly did not.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">"When I am in the city, some days I feel there are not many people speaking my own mother tongue any more," she said. "I also miss the old manners."</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-17" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">City spokesman Matthias Nowak said the majority of people in Chemnitz are against extremism, adding that Chemnitz would "fall apart" without immigrants - for instance, 40% of staff at the hospital are foreigners.</span></div><h2 class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__medium__1kbOh text__heading_6__1qUJ5 heading__base__2T28j heading__heading_6__RtD9P article-body__heading__33EIm" data-testid="Heading" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; font-weight: 500; line-height: 24px; margin: 24px 0px 12px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">'REMIGRATION'</span></h2><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-18" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Channelling the anti-immigrant mood are political parties including Alternative fuer Deutschland (AfD), which is on track to win three regional state elections in September this year including in Saxony.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-19" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The AfD has said it wants to reverse the mass migration that occurred in 2015, create asylum centres outside the European Union, introduce strict controls on German borders, sanction migrants who do not integrate fully and create incentives for economic migrants to return home.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-20" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Germany's domestic intelligence agency, which has said it is <a class="text__text__1FZLe text__inherit-color__3208F text__inherit-font__1Y8w3 text__inherit-size__1DZJi link__link__3Ji6W link__underline_default__2prE_" data-testid="Link" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-court-rule-extremist-label-afd-2024-03-11/" previewlistener="true" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: inherit;">monitor</a>ing the AfD on suspicion of extremism, says AfD party officials propagate racist theories such as the "Great Replacement," which holds that political elites are deliberately engineering the replacement of Europe's white population with non-white immigrants.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-21" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The party's Chemnitz chapter this month shared an article on its Facebook page about an alleged rape by migrants entitled "Population replacement makes girls and women fair game."</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-22" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">In one post, Ulrich Oehme, deputy leader of AfD Chemnitz, comments that "life for our women and girls has become much harder in public spaces and worries about group rape and knife attacks are on the rise."</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-23" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Oehme told Reuters his post was not xenophobic but was addressing "issues felt massively by the local population." The AfD said it agreed with his observations, adding: "Immigration-related crime is very difficult to combat because it is often embedded in family or clan structures and because of cultural and language barriers."</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-24" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Facebook owner Meta did not respond to a request for comment.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-25" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The AfD says its policies would not damage the economy.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-26" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">"Here the government and state-owned companies are clearly and obviously distracting from the home-made problems and using the AfD as a scapegoat," it said in a statement to Reuters, citing the high energy prices worsened by Germany's nuclear exit and renewables drive.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-27" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">But Germany's corporate executives took to the media to warn about the risks of anti-immigrant sentiment, following a January <a class="text__text__1FZLe text__inherit-color__3208F text__inherit-font__1Y8w3 text__inherit-size__1DZJi link__link__3Ji6W link__underline_default__2prE_" data-testid="Link" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/afd-denies-any-plan-deport-germans-after-officials-hear-proposal-2024-01-10/" previewlistener="true" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: inherit;">report</a> by investigative portal Correctiv of a fundraising meeting in Potsdam where a "masterplan" for deportations of people of foreign origin -- dubbed "remigration" -- was discussed.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-28" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Attended by four senior AfD officials, the meeting was organised by a group called the Duesseldorf Forum, which said on the invitation it is an "exclusive network of ... personalities who are ready to make significant contributions to ... stop the destruction of our country."</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-29" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">On a <a class="text__text__1FZLe text__inherit-color__3208F text__inherit-font__1Y8w3 text__inherit-size__1DZJi link__link__3Ji6W link__underline_default__2prE_ link__with-icon__3x3oD" data-testid="Link" href="https://potsdam-treffen.de/#tve-jump-18d983a83d5" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: inherit; text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">microsite<svg aria-hidden="true" class="link__new-tab-symbol__3T19s" data-testid="SvgNewTab" focusable="false" role="presentation" viewbox="0 0 32 32" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M15 6c.6 0 1 .4 1 1s-.4 1-1 1H9c-.6 0-1 .4-1 1v14a1.1 1.1 0 0 0 .2.6c.1.2.4.4.8.4h14c.6 0 1-.4 1-1v-6c0-.6.4-1 1-1s1 .4 1 1v6a3 3 0 0 1-3 3H9a3 3 0 0 1-2.2-.9A3 3 0 0 1 6 23V9a3 3 0 0 1 3-3Zm10 0 .4.1.5.5.1.4v6c0 .6-.4 1-1 1s-1-.4-1-1V9.4l-5.3 5.3a1 1 0 0 1-.7.3 1 1 0 0 1-.7-.3 1 1 0 0 1 0-1.4L22.6 8H19c-.6 0-1-.4-1-1s.4-1 1-1Z" fill="#666"></path></svg><span style="border: 0px; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">, opens new tab</span></a> created after the event, organizer Gernot Moerig said remigration was only one topic discussed. He could not be reached for comment.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-30" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Martin Sellner, an Austrian leader of the Identitarian Movement, which says it wants to preserve European identity and opposes immigration from outside the continent, told Reuters he had spoken at the meeting.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-31" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">"Unassimilated citizens like Islamists, gangsters and welfare cheats should be pushed to adapt through a policy of standards and assimilation," he said, saying that could include incentives for voluntary return.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-32" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">"In the long-term, a German remigration policy sets the course for ... Germany to become more German every day and not the opposite."</span></div><h2 class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__medium__1kbOh text__heading_6__1qUJ5 heading__base__2T28j heading__heading_6__RtD9P article-body__heading__33EIm" data-testid="Heading" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; font-weight: 500; line-height: 24px; margin: 24px 0px 12px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">'CAPITAL OF CULTURE'</span></h2><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-33" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The hardening climate extends beyond Chemnitz and does not only target people from outside Europe.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-34" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">"Two of our foreign employees have left Germany because they said that they no longer feel comfortable and safe here," said Detlef Neuhaus, CEO of solar firm SolarWatt, based in the east German city of Dresden. He said one had moved back to England.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-35" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">"These are direct consequences of the changing mood in the country."</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-36" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The company declined to make its former staff available to Reuters.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-37" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Chemnitz-based Community4you, which supplies fleet and leasing software to corporate heavyweights such as Lufthansa <a class="text__text__1FZLe text__inherit-color__3208F text__inherit-font__1Y8w3 text__inherit-size__1DZJi link__link__3Ji6W link__underline_default__2prE_ link__with-icon__3x3oD" data-testid="Link" href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/companies/LHAG.DE" previewlistener="true" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: inherit; text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">(LHAG.DE)<svg aria-hidden="true" class="link__new-tab-symbol__3T19s" data-testid="SvgNewTab" focusable="false" role="presentation" viewbox="0 0 32 32" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M15 6c.6 0 1 .4 1 1s-.4 1-1 1H9c-.6 0-1 .4-1 1v14a1.1 1.1 0 0 0 .2.6c.1.2.4.4.8.4h14c.6 0 1-.4 1-1v-6c0-.6.4-1 1-1s1 .4 1 1v6a3 3 0 0 1-3 3H9a3 3 0 0 1-2.2-.9A3 3 0 0 1 6 23V9a3 3 0 0 1 3-3Zm10 0 .4.1.5.5.1.4v6c0 .6-.4 1-1 1s-1-.4-1-1V9.4l-5.3 5.3a1 1 0 0 1-.7.3 1 1 0 0 1-.7-.3 1 1 0 0 1 0-1.4L22.6 8H19c-.6 0-1-.4-1-1s.4-1 1-1Z" fill="#666"></path></svg><span style="border: 0px; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">, opens new tab</span></a>, BMW <a class="text__text__1FZLe text__inherit-color__3208F text__inherit-font__1Y8w3 text__inherit-size__1DZJi link__link__3Ji6W link__underline_default__2prE_ link__with-icon__3x3oD" data-testid="Link" href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/companies/BMWG.DE" previewlistener="true" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: inherit; text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">(BMWG.DE)<svg aria-hidden="true" class="link__new-tab-symbol__3T19s" data-testid="SvgNewTab" focusable="false" role="presentation" viewbox="0 0 32 32" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M15 6c.6 0 1 .4 1 1s-.4 1-1 1H9c-.6 0-1 .4-1 1v14a1.1 1.1 0 0 0 .2.6c.1.2.4.4.8.4h14c.6 0 1-.4 1-1v-6c0-.6.4-1 1-1s1 .4 1 1v6a3 3 0 0 1-3 3H9a3 3 0 0 1-2.2-.9A3 3 0 0 1 6 23V9a3 3 0 0 1 3-3Zm10 0 .4.1.5.5.1.4v6c0 .6-.4 1-1 1s-1-.4-1-1V9.4l-5.3 5.3a1 1 0 0 1-.7.3 1 1 0 0 1-.7-.3 1 1 0 0 1 0-1.4L22.6 8H19c-.6 0-1-.4-1-1s.4-1 1-1Z" fill="#666"></path></svg><span style="border: 0px; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">, opens new tab</span></a> and Commerzbank <a class="text__text__1FZLe text__inherit-color__3208F text__inherit-font__1Y8w3 text__inherit-size__1DZJi link__link__3Ji6W link__underline_default__2prE_ link__with-icon__3x3oD" data-testid="Link" href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/companies/CBKG.DE" previewlistener="true" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: inherit; text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">(CBKG.DE)<svg aria-hidden="true" class="link__new-tab-symbol__3T19s" data-testid="SvgNewTab" focusable="false" role="presentation" viewbox="0 0 32 32" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M15 6c.6 0 1 .4 1 1s-.4 1-1 1H9c-.6 0-1 .4-1 1v14a1.1 1.1 0 0 0 .2.6c.1.2.4.4.8.4h14c.6 0 1-.4 1-1v-6c0-.6.4-1 1-1s1 .4 1 1v6a3 3 0 0 1-3 3H9a3 3 0 0 1-2.2-.9A3 3 0 0 1 6 23V9a3 3 0 0 1 3-3Zm10 0 .4.1.5.5.1.4v6c0 .6-.4 1-1 1s-1-.4-1-1V9.4l-5.3 5.3a1 1 0 0 1-.7.3 1 1 0 0 1-.7-.3 1 1 0 0 1 0-1.4L22.6 8H19c-.6 0-1-.4-1-1s.4-1 1-1Z" fill="#666"></path></svg><span style="border: 0px; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">, opens new tab</span></a>, said it has had employees move away because they no longer feel welcome.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-38" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Its Chief Operating Officer Lavinio Cerquetti, an Italian, moved northwest to Leipzig in 2021, saying the atmosphere was more cosmopolitan there.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-39" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">"In Chemnitz, I sometimes had the feeling that the fact that I had to be careful was also related to the fact that I was a foreigner," he said.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-40" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Autonomous driving software maker FDTech, also based in Chemnitz, has also lost workers over xenophobia, its managing director Karsten Schulze said.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-41" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">"Yes, we do have a problem with xenophobia here. But it's not limited to Saxony, to Chemnitz, we have it all across Germany. And by the way, all across Europe, too," he said.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-42" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Germany's economy shrank by 0.3% in 2023, the weakest performance globally among large countries.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-43" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">A survey carried out over 2022 and 2023 by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) <a class="text__text__1FZLe text__inherit-color__3208F text__inherit-font__1Y8w3 text__inherit-size__1DZJi link__link__3Ji6W link__underline_default__2prE_" data-testid="Link" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-attractive-skilled-workers-despite-discrimination-oecd-2024-01-31/" previewlistener="true" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: inherit;">has highlighted</a> that while Germany remains very attractive to foreign workers, discrimination is a problem.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-44" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Tracking the careers of 30,000 highly qualified people who wanted to come to Germany as migrant workers since August 2022, the survey found that people who had already moved to Germany experienced more discrimination compared to the expectations of those still abroad.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-45" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Essen-based Deniz Ates, 30, who runs recruitment agency Who Moves that focuses on foreign IT workers, said he first noticed at an event in India late last year that people were worried about the political mood in Germany, with some saying the country was no longer an option for them.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-46" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">"The most important factor in deciding where to apply for a job is: Do I feel safe? Do I feel welcome?" Ates said.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-47" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">New Delhi-based lawyer Romy Kumar said he has put on hold efforts to relocate to Europe, where he spends several months a year, citing a rise in xenophobia.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-48" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">"This limits your risk-taking abilities to jump on the next plane and go there and set up something," he said. "So that is why I'm taking it slow and trying to assess where is it going."</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-49" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Chemnitz city spokesman Nowak said it had increased funds for anti-racism and pro-democracy projects since 2018 and wants to use plans for its coming role as a European Capital of Culture in 2025 to activate the "silent middle," addressing the issue of racism head-on.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-50" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Far-right parties have said they will protest this. One, Pro Chemnitz, has suggested the city should instead be the "capital of remigration."</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-51" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">"We have had enough of the kind of culture that has flooded Germany since 2015 - all you need to do is check the city centre," the party said in a post on Telegram. The party did not respond to a request for comment from Reuters.</span></div>Anne Sulzbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17091067031029918700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744683886539852356.post-62649642216323970402024-03-27T07:05:00.000-07:002024-03-27T07:05:38.298-07:00Why most workplace wellness benefits don’t actually work<p><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-wax3yUn3kJCbWviwNHYnlxXy5UpA0IxUmZQA25NyrMc1Yu3yc7Kf2J8GFxIKd7QZjMESCBClmxVaYWvICxajLONbPa5KaOi68jc9vyvlRqzmXdVqB9V34gSnK6J0Q9HWmn7tfxnTg7n7BQW-knZAPgPVw6Dp6FM-guDHGKLdVxYzVN1ZuISSDBbpcc/s1024/OIG3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-wax3yUn3kJCbWviwNHYnlxXy5UpA0IxUmZQA25NyrMc1Yu3yc7Kf2J8GFxIKd7QZjMESCBClmxVaYWvICxajLONbPa5KaOi68jc9vyvlRqzmXdVqB9V34gSnK6J0Q9HWmn7tfxnTg7n7BQW-knZAPgPVw6Dp6FM-guDHGKLdVxYzVN1ZuISSDBbpcc/w640-h640/OIG3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><br /><span style="font-size: 1.1875rem; letter-spacing: 0.2px;">Once, at a previous job, just after our annual insurance re-enrollment presentation, I noticed that mental health deductibles were no longer offered in my insurance renewal options. I contacted my HR rep to see if my therapy would no longer be covered. It wouldn’t—a session that previously cost me $35 out of pocket would now cost $175. </span></span><p></p><div class="content-chunk" data-testid="content-chunk" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; letter-spacing: 0.2px; overflow: hidden;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 2rem; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">I asked to meet with her and explained how detrimental I felt this would be for myself and my colleagues. She put on her best-concerned face, told me she <em style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box;">really </em>valued my input, and pivoted to a new company benefit she hadn’t touched on in the re-enrollment presentation: Certain plans came with two monthly coaching sessions. I asked whether or not these were personal coaches or certified therapists. She said she’d look into that and get back to me. She never did.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 2rem; margin: 1.5rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">A recent <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/irj.12418" previewlistener="true" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; color: #ef5b24; text-decoration: inherit;" target="_blank">study </a>by Oxford fellow William J. Fleming in the<em style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box;"> Industrial Relations Journal </em>found that workers who participated in company-sponsored “wellness benefits”—including sleep apps, mindfulness seminars, and even the sort of 1-on-1 coaching sessions this HR rep offered—were no better off than their fellow workers who opted out of these initiatives. </span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 2rem; margin: 1.5rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The corporate wellness market is a <a href="https://www.kff.org/private-insurance/issue-brief/workplace-wellness-programs-characteristics-and-requirements/" previewlistener="true" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; color: #ef5b24; text-decoration: inherit;" target="_blank">billion-dollar industry</a>, which makes sense since <a href="https://www.bitc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/bitc-wellbeing-report-mhawmentalhealthworkfullreport2019-sept2019-2.pdf" previewlistener="true" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; color: #ef5b24; text-decoration: inherit;" target="_blank">39% of employees</a> report experiencing poor mental health symptoms related to work. <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mental-health-digital-solutions-top-list-of-employee-wellness-trends-for-2022-according-to-wellable-labs-report-301453839.html" previewlistener="true" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; color: #ef5b24; text-decoration: inherit;" target="_blank">Ninety percent of employers</a> report increasing their investment in mental health programs, which are touted as a way for progressive-presenting organizations to help combat employee burnout, low engagement, and the general U.S. grind culture that’s inherently bad for everyone’s mental well-being. </span></p></div><div class="content-chunk" data-testid="content-chunk" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; letter-spacing: 0.2px; overflow: hidden;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 2rem; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">However, something about this rush to wellness-if the workplace feels fishy to me. Wellness, in general, is an ambiguous term that can run the gamut from legitimate forms of mental and physical care, like mediation, to pseudoscience-heavy marketing schemes like celery juice as a cure-all. I couldn’t help thinking that there was a bit of a smokescreen going on. We’ve moved past the days of casual Fridays and office foosball tables being used to mask a lack of real office benefits. So, are wellness initiatives the new workplace happy hour? </span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 2rem; margin: 1.5rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">When I reached out to Fleming to ask a bit more about the study’s genesis, he agreed that things didn’t add up. “In the last decade, there’s been a huge increase in manager-led mental health initiatives, but the existing evidence didn’t seem to back up this proliferation,” he said. “There was also growing skepticism among academics as to the effectiveness and reasons for their popularity.” It turns out the skepticism was warranted, as much of the other research on this topic has been done by the <a href="https://www.statnews.com/2016/02/19/workplace-wellness-programs-employee-health/" previewlistener="true" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; color: #ef5b24; text-decoration: inherit;" target="_blank">wellness vendors</a>. </span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 2rem; margin: 1.5rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">There seems to be a real discrepancy between performative wellness—mindfulness apps, in-office massages, calorie tracking tools—and benefits that, well, <em style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box;">actually</em> benefit employees—the option for remote or hybrid work, increased flexibility, work-life balance, and commitment to DEI. The problem with the latter is that they require systemic changes. </span></p></div><div class="ad-container ad-container--native_mid_article flex flex-col items-center justify-center h-0" data-testid="ad-container" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; align-items: center; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-size: 18px; height: 0px; justify-content: center; letter-spacing: 0.2px;"><div class="camp-native_mid_article" data-ad_slot_type="native_mid_article" data-page="1" data-testid="gam-ad-unit" id="native_mid_article_8648105366" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box;"></div></div><div data-testid="native_mid_article-sentinel" id="native_mid_article-sentinel" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; letter-spacing: 0.2px;"></div><div class="content-chunk" data-testid="content-chunk" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; letter-spacing: 0.2px; overflow: hidden;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 2rem; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">I feel very fortunate that my current company offers flexible PTO and the ability to design the type of workday and schedule (to a degree) that sets me up for success. I can tell you firsthand how much better for my overall well-being this is than a meditation app, but it requires a leadership team very dedicated to making their organization a people-centric workplace. Finding said meditation app, meanwhile, just requires finding the right vendor.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 2rem; margin: 1.5rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“The main takeaway is that you can’t expect change if you just try and change the worker and not the workplace. Individualized strategies like mindfulness and resilience training don’t get to the root causes of work stress or tackle poor working conditions,” Fleming says. </span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 2rem; margin: 1.5rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">It’s not all cynicism on the workplace wellness front, though. Fleming’s study found a notable exception to the rule—workers who were allowed to do charity or volunteer work did seem to have improved well-being. An older study on the subject from the<a href="https://journals.lww.com/joem/Abstract/2014/09000/Do_Workplace_Health_Promotion__Wellness__Programs.6.aspx" previewlistener="true" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; color: #ef5b24; text-decoration: inherit;" target="_blank"> Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine</a> makes a very astute point when answering, “Do Workplace Health Promotion (Wellness) Programs Work?” It depends. The 20-plus authors of the article conclude that while some wellness programs are empty failures, some make the workplace better. Per usual, the answer lies somewhere between black and white. </span></p></div><div class="content-chunk" data-testid="content-chunk" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; letter-spacing: 0.2px; overflow: hidden;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 2rem; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">I ended up being let go from that job that offered me those coaching sessions, ironically, just a couple of days after presenting the same HR rep with some evidence I’d documented of what I felt was unethical behavior by upper management. When the HR rep emailed me later that day to tie up paperwork loose ends, she reminded me I could take advantage of my generous benefits for the remainder of the month. </span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 2rem; margin: 1.5rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">I never ended up consulting any of those personal coaches, but I happened to run into her just a week later while playing tennis in the middle of the day (I was unemployed…Not sure of her excuse.) She made a point to come over, assure me she wished things ended differently… and check on my mental wellbeing.</span></p></div>Anne Sulzbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17091067031029918700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744683886539852356.post-3305303432117420692024-03-27T06:36:00.000-07:002024-03-27T06:36:54.253-07:00Fast-food companies seeing low-income diners pare orders<div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-0" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LQSCDg7Al7BamwkPvQgTouc3iPGMTeoLq7yD5yjbxo5sTiFzytd3f1mQ_su2zdBg5EoP2hJSkzxJkgd9MVkTdEAwNfGvWepcqaXpDcoYPlouOD2voa925DQzEVvPOkZQbLqQqPpQpXqzV4GjduXCaUVmfpSfjAe6WP8QIuwGJK7Y7-sP95fVbkVz7Cs/s1024/Default_Create_an_image_of_a_busy_fastfood_worker_at_a_bustlin_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LQSCDg7Al7BamwkPvQgTouc3iPGMTeoLq7yD5yjbxo5sTiFzytd3f1mQ_su2zdBg5EoP2hJSkzxJkgd9MVkTdEAwNfGvWepcqaXpDcoYPlouOD2voa925DQzEVvPOkZQbLqQqPpQpXqzV4GjduXCaUVmfpSfjAe6WP8QIuwGJK7Y7-sP95fVbkVz7Cs/w640-h360/Default_Create_an_image_of_a_busy_fastfood_worker_at_a_bustlin_0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />(Reuters) - Runaway prices at U.S. fast-food joints and restaurants have made people skittish down the income ladder and executives at chains including McDonald's <a class="text__text__1FZLe text__inherit-color__3208F text__inherit-font__1Y8w3 text__inherit-size__1DZJi link__link__3Ji6W link__underline_default__2prE_ link__with-icon__3x3oD" data-testid="Link" href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/companies/MCD.N" previewlistener="true" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: inherit; text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">(MCD.N)<svg aria-hidden="true" class="link__new-tab-symbol__3T19s" data-testid="SvgNewTab" focusable="false" role="presentation" viewbox="0 0 32 32" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M15 6c.6 0 1 .4 1 1s-.4 1-1 1H9c-.6 0-1 .4-1 1v14a1.1 1.1 0 0 0 .2.6c.1.2.4.4.8.4h14c.6 0 1-.4 1-1v-6c0-.6.4-1 1-1s1 .4 1 1v6a3 3 0 0 1-3 3H9a3 3 0 0 1-2.2-.9A3 3 0 0 1 6 23V9a3 3 0 0 1 3-3Zm10 0 .4.1.5.5.1.4v6c0 .6-.4 1-1 1s-1-.4-1-1V9.4l-5.3 5.3a1 1 0 0 1-.7.3 1 1 0 0 1-.7-.3 1 1 0 0 1 0-1.4L22.6 8H19c-.6 0-1-.4-1-1s.4-1 1-1Z" fill="#666"></path></svg><span style="border: 0px; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">, opens new tab</span></a> and Wendy’s <a class="text__text__1FZLe text__inherit-color__3208F text__inherit-font__1Y8w3 text__inherit-size__1DZJi link__link__3Ji6W link__underline_default__2prE_ link__with-icon__3x3oD" data-testid="Link" href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/companies/WEN.O" previewlistener="true" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: inherit; text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">(WEN.O)<svg aria-hidden="true" class="link__new-tab-symbol__3T19s" data-testid="SvgNewTab" focusable="false" role="presentation" viewbox="0 0 32 32" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M15 6c.6 0 1 .4 1 1s-.4 1-1 1H9c-.6 0-1 .4-1 1v14a1.1 1.1 0 0 0 .2.6c.1.2.4.4.8.4h14c.6 0 1-.4 1-1v-6c0-.6.4-1 1-1s1 .4 1 1v6a3 3 0 0 1-3 3H9a3 3 0 0 1-2.2-.9A3 3 0 0 1 6 23V9a3 3 0 0 1 3-3Zm10 0 .4.1.5.5.1.4v6c0 .6-.4 1-1 1s-1-.4-1-1V9.4l-5.3 5.3a1 1 0 0 1-.7.3 1 1 0 0 1-.7-.3 1 1 0 0 1 0-1.4L22.6 8H19c-.6 0-1-.4-1-1s.4-1 1-1Z" fill="#666"></path></svg><span style="border: 0px; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">, opens new tab</span></a> recently said they worry about losing business from those on the tightest budgets.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Roughly a quarter of low-income consumers, defined as those making less than $50,000 a year, said they were eating less fast food and about half said they were making fewer trips to fast-casual and full-service dining establishments, according to polling in February by Revenue Management Solutions, a consulting firm.</span></div><div class="article-body__element__2p5pI" style="margin: 24px 0px; width: 708.663px;"></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The rising price of food is contributing to budget-conscious diners cutting back.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Whether consumed at home or in a restaurant, food prices rose 20% from Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2024, the fastest jump on record. A recent census Household Pulse Survey showed half of people earning less than $35,000 a year had difficulty paying everyday expenses, and nearly 80% were moderately or “very” stressed by recent price increases.</span></div><div class="article-body__element__2p5pI" style="margin: 24px 0px; width: 708.663px;"></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Lauren Oxford, a musician who works part time at a bed-and-breakfast in Tennessee, said she used to stop by McDonald's after running errands, treating herself to two double hamburgers, fries and a drink, for less than $5. As prices rose, she switched to smaller hamburgers and stopped getting the drink.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">But after a year in which McDonald's franchisees drove prices up about 10% according to the company's executives, she’s going to McDonald's less in general. “Now I don’t know if I can justify that.”</span></div><div class="article-body__element__2p5pI" style="margin: 24px 0px; width: 708.663px;"></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">In the Fed’s most recent Beige Book compendium of anecdotal reports gathered from business and community contacts around the country, 7 of 12 regional Fed districts reported low-income consumers were changing spending habits in search of bargains, seeking more help from community groups, or struggling to access credit.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">About one-third of Black American households, and 21% of white American households, earned less than $35,000 in 2022, according to the latest available U.S. census data.</span></div><div class="article-body__element__2p5pI" style="margin: 24px 0px; width: 708.663px;"></div><figure class="article-body__element__2p5pI" data-testid="graphic-0" style="margin: 0px 0px 24px; width: 708.663px;"><div class="reuters-graphic__image-container__2YWXt reuters-graphic__with-restricted-dimensions__3iyMG" style="margin: 0px auto; max-height: 600px; max-width: 672px; overflow: auto;"><div data-testid="Image"><div class="styles__image-container__3hkY5 styles__fill__22EeH styles__center_center__1CNY5 styles__apply-ratio__1JYnB" style="--aspect-ratio: 0; --focal-x: 0; --focal-y: 0; aspect-ratio: var(--aspect-ratio); height: inherit; position: relative;"><img alt="Bar chart with data from Revenue Management Solutions show the share of people in the US that have visited restaurants less in the past month than previous months, according to income level." src="https://www.reuters.com/graphics/FASTFOOD-LOWINCOME/gdpzdabrgpw/graphic.jpg" style="display: block; height: 506.788px; object-fit: fill; object-position: center center; width: 671.997px;" /></div></div></div><figcaption class="text__text__1FZLe text__medium-grey__3A_RT text__regular__2N1Xr text__ultra_small__37j9j body__base__22dCE body__ultra_small_body__1lUQl reuters-graphic__figcaption__1lRLn" data-testid="Body" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #666666; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin: 4px 0px 0px; max-width: 720px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Bar chart with data from Revenue Management Solutions show the share of people in the US that have visited restaurants less in the past month than previous months, according to income level.</span></figcaption></figure><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-8" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">For fast-food companies that often promote an image of affordability, low-income consumers are a significant portion of the customer base and a bellwether for longer-term trends. But they are typically the first to cut back spending and the last to come back.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">But now, chains may be less likely to chase customers as hard as they have in the past because even with a drop in traffic, sales have remained consistent supported by increased prices.</span></div><div class="article-body__element__2p5pI" style="margin: 24px 0px; width: 708.663px;"></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Fast food companies aren't "in a hurry to take traffic over profit the way they were a decade ago,” said Mike Lukianoff, CEO of SignalFlare.ai and a veteran consultant in the fast food industry.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-11" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">For example back in 2008, Subway introduced its nationwide $5 footlong, which became the poster sandwich for the Great Recession. That spurred rivals to introduce extreme value deals for budget-conscious customers, such as “$5 Fill-Up Boxes" at Yum! Brands <a class="text__text__1FZLe text__inherit-color__3208F text__inherit-font__1Y8w3 text__inherit-size__1DZJi link__link__3Ji6W link__underline_default__2prE_ link__with-icon__3x3oD" data-testid="Link" href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/companies/YUM.N" previewlistener="true" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: inherit; text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">(YUM.N)<svg aria-hidden="true" class="link__new-tab-symbol__3T19s" data-testid="SvgNewTab" focusable="false" role="presentation" viewbox="0 0 32 32" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M15 6c.6 0 1 .4 1 1s-.4 1-1 1H9c-.6 0-1 .4-1 1v14a1.1 1.1 0 0 0 .2.6c.1.2.4.4.8.4h14c.6 0 1-.4 1-1v-6c0-.6.4-1 1-1s1 .4 1 1v6a3 3 0 0 1-3 3H9a3 3 0 0 1-2.2-.9A3 3 0 0 1 6 23V9a3 3 0 0 1 3-3Zm10 0 .4.1.5.5.1.4v6c0 .6-.4 1-1 1s-1-.4-1-1V9.4l-5.3 5.3a1 1 0 0 1-.7.3 1 1 0 0 1-.7-.3 1 1 0 0 1 0-1.4L22.6 8H19c-.6 0-1-.4-1-1s.4-1 1-1Z" fill="#666"></path></svg><span style="border: 0px; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">, opens new tab</span></a> KFC.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">In 2016, McDonald’s, after a prolonged slump in sales, introduced a bundle deal it called “McPick 2”, allowing customers to choose 2 items, like a McDouble, for $2. Within months, Wendy’s offered a four for $4 deal. Burger King offered five for $4. Pizza Hut had a $5 “flavor menu.”</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-13" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">APP-DRIVEN DISCOUNTS</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Now, instead of across-the-board menu slashes and broad discounts, industry analysts say chains are being more selective, aiming them at specific demographics or limiting them to specific meal times or channels, such as its app or only through delivery.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">McDonald's executives told investors in February that it would rely on its existing "value menu" to appeal to low-income consumers who might be tempted to eat packaged food at home instead. CFO Ian Borden said affordability is core to the brand, and the company would continue "evolving" its value offerings.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“The battleground is certainly with that low-income consumer,” McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski told investors, referring to people making less than $45,000.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-17" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Wendy’s recently introduced a limited-time $1 burger — available only through its app. Its CFO Gunther Plosch told investors in February that among lower-income customers, their traffic is down but their share with the general market is unchanged.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-18" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">For major fast-food companies, loyalty apps are the go-to strategy among major brands to increase retention and the average amount of money spent. The upside for chains, David Henkes, senior principal with Technomic said, is that they capture more transaction data and demographic data for the consumer, “which is a trade-off many are happy to do.”</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-19" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">For example, McDonald's frequently offers in-app discounts, such as 20% off an order or free delivery with a large enough order.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-20" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Domino’s <a class="text__text__1FZLe text__inherit-color__3208F text__inherit-font__1Y8w3 text__inherit-size__1DZJi link__link__3Ji6W link__underline_default__2prE_ link__with-icon__3x3oD" data-testid="Link" href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/companies/DPZ.N" previewlistener="true" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: inherit; text-wrap: nowrap;" target="_blank">(DPZ.N)<svg aria-hidden="true" class="link__new-tab-symbol__3T19s" data-testid="SvgNewTab" focusable="false" role="presentation" viewbox="0 0 32 32" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M15 6c.6 0 1 .4 1 1s-.4 1-1 1H9c-.6 0-1 .4-1 1v14a1.1 1.1 0 0 0 .2.6c.1.2.4.4.8.4h14c.6 0 1-.4 1-1v-6c0-.6.4-1 1-1s1 .4 1 1v6a3 3 0 0 1-3 3H9a3 3 0 0 1-2.2-.9A3 3 0 0 1 6 23V9a3 3 0 0 1 3-3Zm10 0 .4.1.5.5.1.4v6c0 .6-.4 1-1 1s-1-.4-1-1V9.4l-5.3 5.3a1 1 0 0 1-.7.3 1 1 0 0 1-.7-.3 1 1 0 0 1 0-1.4L22.6 8H19c-.6 0-1-.4-1-1s.4-1 1-1Z" fill="#666"></path></svg><span style="border: 0px; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">, opens new tab</span></a> halved the minimum purchase price to get points in its loyalty program, to $5 from $10, its CEO told investors at a conference in January. It also reduced the number of purchases needed to get a free pizza to as few as two from six. “And so essentially, for this lower-income consumer, we’ve made the brand more accessible,” CEO Russell Weiner said.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-21" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">To be sure, not every chain is seeing weakness among low-income customers. At Taco Bell, which sells a single taco for $1.40 at many of its stores in San Antonio, locations in low-income markets did better than other locations, Yum! CEO David Gibbs told investors in February.</span></div><div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-22" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #404040; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">McDonald's still holds its appeal for Andreas Garay, a retail worker eating at a McDonald's in westside San Antonio. He said he plans to keep his coffee-and-Big-Mac habit-- even if prices continue going up.</span></div>Anne Sulzbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17091067031029918700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744683886539852356.post-5544625400819241762024-03-27T06:06:00.000-07:002024-03-27T06:06:37.989-07:00Hourly labour costs ranged from €9 to €54 in the EU<div id="fragment-15308127-ubvm" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #272833;"><div class="publication-web-content ecl-row" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: grid; flex-wrap: wrap; justify-items: center; margin-inline: -1rem;"><div class="ecl-col-12 ecl-col-l-8" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: grid; flex: 0 0 66.6667%; justify-items: center; max-width: 66.6667%; min-height: 1px; padding-inline: 1rem; position: relative; width: 738.663px;"><div style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p class="ecl-u-type-paragraph" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #515560; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 1rem; max-width: 80ch;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMtbCH9oeoMTB7A4F_rB2oqP_8eWPmlFhWNrU-brapb_lfi_c1J2sqNVQla6JKA2h_bKPZdN588rdMVZqcAoqvifZNhvzEVQdF0FRQeMc1BHbMi_O9JgGcriG0vW8f-F7K3qvJR8bsfPmyZeQebogRxPwKWj191CwJ-xlekNhL6iygaB5nzzIiPKWl9c/s2048/7xm.xyz590269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMtbCH9oeoMTB7A4F_rB2oqP_8eWPmlFhWNrU-brapb_lfi_c1J2sqNVQla6JKA2h_bKPZdN588rdMVZqcAoqvifZNhvzEVQdF0FRQeMc1BHbMi_O9JgGcriG0vW8f-F7K3qvJR8bsfPmyZeQebogRxPwKWj191CwJ-xlekNhL6iygaB5nzzIiPKWl9c/w640-h426/7xm.xyz590269.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br />In 2023, the average hourly labour costs in the whole economy (see methodological note) were estimated to be €31.8 in the EU and €35.6 in the euro area, up compared with €30.2 and €34.0, respectively, in 2022. </span><p></p><p class="ecl-u-type-paragraph" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #515560; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 1rem; max-width: 80ch;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">These estimates come from data on labour cost levels published by Eurostat today. This article presents only a handful of findings from the more detailed <a class="ecl-link" href="https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Hourly_labour_costs" previewlistener="true" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0e47cb; margin: 0px;">Statistics Explained article</a>.</span></p><h3 class="ecl-u-type-heading-3" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #262b38; font-feature-settings: normal !important; font-kerning: auto !important; font-optical-sizing: auto !important; font-stretch: normal !important; font-variant-alternates: normal !important; font-variant-east-asian: normal !important; font-variant-numeric: normal !important; font-variant-position: normal !important; font-variation-settings: normal !important; font-weight: 400 !important; line-height: 2.5rem !important; margin-bottom: 0.89rem; margin-top: 1.78rem;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Lowest hourly labour costs in Bulgaria, highest in Luxembourg </span></h3><p class="ecl-u-type-paragraph" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #515560; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 1rem; max-width: 80ch;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The average hourly labour costs mask significant gaps between EU countries, with the lowest hourly labour costs recorded in Bulgaria (€9.3), Romania (€11.0) and Hungary (€12.8) while the highest in Luxembourg (€53.9), Denmark (€48.1) and Belgium (€47.1). </span></p><p class="ecl-u-type-paragraph" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #515560; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 1rem; max-width: 80ch;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Hourly labour costs in industry were €32.2 in the EU and €38.0 in the euro area. In construction, they were €28.5 and €31.9, respectively. In services, hourly labour costs varied between €31.8 in the EU and €34.8 in the euro area. In the mainly non-business economy (excluding public administration), they were €32.4 and €35.7, respectively.</span></p><p class="ecl-u-type-paragraph" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #515560; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 1rem; max-width: 80ch;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The two main components of labour costs are wages and salaries and non-wage costs (e.g. employers' social contributions). The share of non-wage costs in total labour costs for the whole economy was 24.7% in the EU and 25.5% in the euro area. The lowest shares of non-wage costs were recorded in Malta (1.4%), Romania (5.0%) and Lithuania (5.4%) and the highest in Sweden (32.2%) and France (31.9%).</span></p><p class="ecl-u-type-paragraph" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #515560; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 1rem; max-width: 80ch; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="700px" scrolling="no" src="https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/news/maps/hourly-labour-costs-2023.html" style="box-sizing: border-box;" title="Hourly labour costs, 2023." width="700px"></iframe><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Source dataset: <a class="ecl-link" href="https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/bookmark/74fd337f-a672-4b31-af29-cc723faaee29?lang=en" previewlistener="true" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0e47cb; margin: 0px;">lc_lci_lev</a></span></p><h3 class="ecl-u-type-heading-3" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #262b38; font-feature-settings: normal !important; font-kerning: auto !important; font-optical-sizing: auto !important; font-stretch: normal !important; font-variant-alternates: normal !important; font-variant-east-asian: normal !important; font-variant-numeric: normal !important; font-variant-position: normal !important; font-variation-settings: normal !important; font-weight: 400 !important; line-height: 2.5rem !important; margin-bottom: 0.89rem; margin-top: 1.78rem;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Hourly labour costs increased by 5.3% in the EU between 2022 and 2023</span></h3><p class="ecl-u-type-paragraph" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #515560; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 1rem; max-width: 80ch;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">In 2023 compared with 2022, hourly labour costs at the whole economy level expressed in € rose by 5.3% in the EU and by 4.8% in the euro area.</span></p><p class="ecl-u-type-paragraph" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #515560; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 1rem; max-width: 80ch;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Within the euro area, hourly labour costs increased in all countries. The largest increases were recorded in Croatia (+14.2%), Lithuania (+12.4%) and Estonia (+11.7%).</span></p><p class="ecl-u-type-paragraph" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #515560; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 1rem; max-width: 80ch;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">For EU countries outside the euro area, the hourly labour costs expressed in national currency increased in 2023 in all countries, with the largest increases recorded in Hungary (+17.0%), Romania (+16.5%), Bulgaria (+14.0%) and Poland (+12.4%). They increased the least in Denmark (+2.7%).</span></p></div></div></div></div>Anne Sulzbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17091067031029918700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744683886539852356.post-75635986951415525052024-03-27T05:56:00.000-07:002024-03-27T05:56:40.791-07:00Ski town struggles to fill 6-figure job because candidates can't afford housing<p><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTi1qky9XRn8K3TPNc7IQ5MByicqR059Y-yHyIRF2gJnnHDlDTyimprdhum6IQInZSsDN34FqH9FgjXIpi7UqrkIdMKJS9d2-vS6IS-VpuAy0H1-stbTkIQkD8_pJjtalRnmOYrKNr5f5h6veIWpyb6ZewGk7pEeDAPPGNm9HNae4xFBvMVzhOSxQx0Qw/s1536/first-time-using-mj-new-ski-collection-is-out-now-v0-xg0q7fz1z1ga1.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTi1qky9XRn8K3TPNc7IQ5MByicqR059Y-yHyIRF2gJnnHDlDTyimprdhum6IQInZSsDN34FqH9FgjXIpi7UqrkIdMKJS9d2-vS6IS-VpuAy0H1-stbTkIQkD8_pJjtalRnmOYrKNr5f5h6veIWpyb6ZewGk7pEeDAPPGNm9HNae4xFBvMVzhOSxQx0Qw/w426-h640/first-time-using-mj-new-ski-collection-is-out-now-v0-xg0q7fz1z1ga1.webp" width="426" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #101010; font-size: 21.12px;">Steamboat Springs, Colorado, has a problem that's prevalent among all resort communities where housing costs far exceed local incomes: recruiting staff. That's because job candidates say they can't afford to live there. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #101010; font-size: 21.12px; margin-top: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">While <span class="link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">home prices and rents have soared</span> across the country over the past year, rent and real estate prices in uber-wealthy enclaves are in a league of their own. The median listing price for homes currently available in Steamboat Springs, for example, is $2 million, <a href="https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Steamboat-Springs_CO/overview" previewlistener="true" rel="nofollow noopener" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #101010;" target="_blank">according</a> to Realtor.com. Median rent is roughly $4,000 a month <a href="https://www.zillow.com/rental-manager/market-trends/steamboat-springs-co/" previewlistener="true" rel="nofollow noopener" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #101010;" target="_blank">according</a> to Zillow.com. The high prices put area housing out of reach, even for those earning above-average salaries. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #101010; font-size: 21.12px; margin-top: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Steamboat Springs city manager Gary Suiter told CBS MoneyWatch that the city government has struggled to recruit a human resources director, a management-level position with a six-figure salary to match, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/economics/cowboy-ski-town-high-earners-cant-afford-home-faces-housing-battle-rcna140429" previewlistener="true" rel="nofollow noopener" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #101010;" target="_blank">NBC</a> first reported. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #101010; font-size: 21.12px; margin-top: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">"That's the case for one position. In these higher-end resort communities, multiple positions at all layers of the organization can be difficult to fill," Suiter added. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #101010; font-size: 21.12px; margin-top: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The city, with a population of 13,000, previously made job offers to two candidates, both of whom declined.</span><iframe allow="attribution-reporting" aria-label="Advertisement" data-google-container-id="4" data-is-safeframe="true" data-load-complete="true" frameborder="0" height="90" id="google_ads_iframe_/8264/aw-cbsnews/moneywatch_3" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" name="" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" scrolling="no" src="https://9f7df9c106fba7b6a24cd6b5073f025c.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html" style="border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;" tabindex="0" title="3rd party ad content" width="728"></iframe></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #101010; font-size: 21.12px; margin-top: 40px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">"We had two recruitments previously and in both cases, they couldn't afford to live here," Suiter said. The position's salary? $167,000 per year.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #101010; font-size: 21.12px; margin-top: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Other local job openings pay far less, including a posting for a rodeo maintenance worker, which <a href="https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/steamboatsprings?page=1" previewlistener="true" rel="nofollow noopener" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #101010;" target="_blank">pays</a> up to $29.62 an hour. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #101010; font-size: 21.12px; margin-top: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Suiter said he's all too familiar with the rising housing costs in communities like Steamboat Springs and how challenging they make it for local businesses to staff up. Wealthy individuals shell out millions for second homes in such areas and drive up housing costs, a trend that was exacerbated by the pandemic.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #101010; font-size: 21.12px; margin-top: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The particular difficulty the city has had filling the HR director role "tells the story of what's happening in resort communities, and it's been happening for a long time," he explained. "The same thing is repeating itself in higher-end areas."</span></p><div class="ad-leader-plus-inc ad-wrapper " data-ad-unit="["leader-plus-inc",3]" data-ad="leader-plus-inc" data-google-query-id="COXdk8q-lIUDFfA6VQgdZTkKPA" id="leader-plus-inc3" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: #101010; flex: 1 1 auto; font-size: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 40px; min-height: 90px; text-align: center;"><div id="google_ads_iframe_/8264/aw-cbsnews/moneywatch_4__container__" style="border: 0pt none; box-sizing: content-box; display: inline-block; height: 90px; width: 728px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><iframe allow="attribution-reporting" aria-label="Advertisement" data-google-container-id="5" data-is-safeframe="true" data-load-complete="true" frameborder="0" height="90" id="google_ads_iframe_/8264/aw-cbsnews/moneywatch_4" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" name="" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" scrolling="no" src="https://9f7df9c106fba7b6a24cd6b5073f025c.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html" style="border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; vertical-align: bottom;" tabindex="0" title="3rd party ad content" width="728"></iframe></span></div></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #101010; font-size: 21.12px; margin-top: 40px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Home prices in the country's 20 biggest metro areas went up an average of 6.7% in 2023, according to the latest S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller data. Across the nation as a whole, housing prices rose more than 5% over the last year, pushing home ownership out of reach <span class="link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">even for high-income earners.</span> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #101010; font-size: 21.12px; margin-top: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">To make the six-figure offer more palatable, Suiter said the city has added a signing bonus that — for the right candidate — is negotiable. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #101010; font-size: 21.12px; margin-top: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">"We will provide a signing bonus within reason if it's necessary to recruit the most qualified person," he said. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #101010; font-size: 21.12px; margin-top: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">It is harder to house members of the city's roughly 300-person government staff, many of whom earn far less than six figures annually, Suiter said. The city is in the process of building dormitory-style housing to accommodate some of them. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #101010; font-size: 21.12px; margin-top: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Housing challenges "permeate every level of the organization," Suiter said.<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </strong>"It's not only with management positions, it's boots-on-the-ground jobs. Bus drivers have been difficult to recruit, especially during the pandemic with the mask mandate."</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #101010; font-size: 21.12px; margin-top: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The town's world-class ski resort provides up to 800 beds for staff "at below market rate," according to a resort spokesperson.</span></p>Anne Sulzbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17091067031029918700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744683886539852356.post-57712341734949115062024-03-27T05:54:00.000-07:002024-03-27T05:54:29.471-07:00A handwritten thank-you note helped me land a job working for Oprah<p><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbiRPSp-OzcjIsK5KPM25dMpPTSsB1KJ-KHkOAEVEH5ougqGWm6zfGuhwAj8gFRsMVZq7LftxgtJvdB7QOBvmBW4fLXFJW-gM-HmwJ6aNX9E73CRDX1OTosECUJtnO37KyxYdBLfh2WJQTucJhZ3O2FV0IZC9bK5hyphenhyphendhmB-afJl4P6S0aGM_cY0nv0Jw/s2048/v2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1322" data-original-width="2048" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbiRPSp-OzcjIsK5KPM25dMpPTSsB1KJ-KHkOAEVEH5ougqGWm6zfGuhwAj8gFRsMVZq7LftxgtJvdB7QOBvmBW4fLXFJW-gM-HmwJ6aNX9E73CRDX1OTosECUJtnO37KyxYdBLfh2WJQTucJhZ3O2FV0IZC9bK5hyphenhyphendhmB-afJl4P6S0aGM_cY0nv0Jw/w640-h414/v2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-size: 20px;">After a job interview, never underestimate</span> the power of a thank-you note.<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-size: 20px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-size: 20px;">I worked as a business coordinator for The Oprah Magazine for three years, and it was actually a thank-you note that helped me get the job and set me up for an incredible career journey.</span></span><p></p><p class="preview" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-size: 20px; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">My journey began in my junior year of college, studying Biology but yearning for something different. That summer I took an internship at Hearst Corporation. Interning at Hearst opened doors to a world previously beyond my reach. It was through these connections that I unearthed an opportunity to work alongside Oprah Winfrey's then-business manager, Nancy Denholtz, in 2007.</span></p><div class="premium-content" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-size: 20px;"><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">During the interview with Nancy, I absorbed every word she said. She asked me about my life plans for the future; why did I want to work there; and if I could give her at least three years if I were hired.</span></p><figure class="figure image-figure-image premium" data-e2e-name="image-figure-image" data-media-container="image" data-type="img" itemscope="" itemtype="https://schema.org/ImageObject" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; width: 555px;"><div class="lazy-holder" style="background: rgb(248, 248, 248); box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 370px; position: relative; width: 555px;"><img alt="Boodie posing with Oprah." class="lazy-image js-rendered" data-content-type="image/jpeg" data-srcs="{"https://i.insider.com/6603601f1caec1275a69c1a1":{"contentType":"image/jpeg","aspectRatioW":1404,"aspectRatioH":936}}" src="https://i.insider.com/6603601f1caec1275a69c1a1?width=1000&format=jpeg&auto=webp" style="background: none; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; left: 277.5px; max-width: none; opacity: 1; position: absolute; top: 185px; transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0px); transition: opacity 0.3s linear 0s; vertical-align: middle; width: 560.547px; z-index: 1;" /></div><span class="image-source-caption " style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-size: 0.875rem; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 11px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><figcaption class="image-caption headline-bold" data-e2e-name="image-caption" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 900; margin-right: 6px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Boodie and Oprah at a magazine event in 2010. <span class="image-source headline-regular" data-e2e-name="image-source" itemprop="creditText" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6d787a; display: inline; font-size: 0.875rem; font-weight: 400; line-height: 18.9px; word-break: break-word;">Courtesy of Boodie</span></span></figcaption></span></figure><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">She showed me the magazine and how we charged advertising based on region and size of the stock print requested. We discussed budgets and how trust and privacy were imperative for this job. Following the interview, I went to the lobby and wrote a thank-you note while the specifics of our discussion were still fresh in my mind. Then I placed the note in the building's internal mail drop.</span></p><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">By sending it from the office, the letter reached the destination quicker and left an immediate impression.</span></p><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The thank-you note played a pivotal role in the job offer. Nancy mentioned it two years later when I was finally comfortable enough to ask for the reason I was hired. Also, while working for the company, I saw firsthand how candidates who wrote thank-you cards or notes stood out from those who didn't.</span></p><h2 class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--bs-heading-color); font-size: 1.875rem; line-height: 37.5px; margin: 1.875rem 0px 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">I wrote a thank-you note infused with authenticity and purpose</span></span></h2><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">I always looked at interviews like dating. Am I speaking with someone I can spend each day building something greater with? I wrote the thank-you note to include specifics about the job description we discussed and expressed how and why I was prepared for the job.</span></p><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">I included the <a data-analytics-post-depth="40" data-analytics-product-module="body_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-get-job-this-year-network-resume-skills-certificates-unemployment-2024-1" previewlistener="true" rel="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; text-decoration-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">values I knew I could bring</a> to the position and wrote about my excitement to learn from someone seasoned in their career. I included details we discussed about Nancy's family and my understanding of what it's like to work hard and build success for those you love.</span></p><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Just thanking someone for their time is important, so I ended the note by thanking Nancy for the opportunity to sit and talk and I wished everyone good luck.</span></p><h2 class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--bs-heading-color); font-size: 1.875rem; line-height: 37.5px; margin: 1.875rem 0px 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Not being a fan played a big role in me securing the position as well</span></span></h2><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">I may not have been a "fan" of Oprah then, but I recognized the unparalleled potential for growth and learning in such an environment. Years later, I realized that not being a fan also played a big role in securing the position. We were there to work on business, not praise.</span></p><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Celebrities want people around them who can add value in an area of expertise, and offer a solution to their problem. If you only ask for a photo to put on Instagram, you become a fan — not a future business partner.</span></p><section class="content-recommendations-component in-content-recirc three-related-posts premium" data-component-location="" data-component-type="content-recommendations" data-container-name="content-recommendations-three-related-posts" data-delay-third-party-scripts="true" data-excluded-verticals="bi-video" data-premium-state="" data-provider="dad" data-recommendations-placement="" data-renderer="three-related-posts" data-root-margin="250px 0px" data-size="3" data-theme-class="" data-track-view="{"event": "engagement", "eventCategory": "in_content_recirc", "eventAction": "module_in_view", "eventLabel": "module_in_view", "element_name": "in_content_recirc", "lts_segment": "bi_value_unassigned", "product_field": "bi_value_unassigned"}" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: -30px;"><div class="content-recommendations-title-container" style="border-top: 1px solid rgb(232, 233, 234); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 2rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><p class="content-recommendations-title headline-bold ignore-typography " style="border-top-width: 1px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; font-weight: 900; line-height: 1.4; margin: 8px 0px;"><br /></p></div></section><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">During the interview, I wasn't nervous. I was just curious. I had no idea what three years would look like but I knew I wanted to learn from someone successful in business. I was intrigued to learn that beyond this person, "Oprah" was a whole business model and strategy.</span></p><h2 class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--bs-heading-color); font-size: 1.875rem; line-height: 37.5px; margin: 1.875rem 0px 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">This job was career-defining and life-changing</span></span></h2><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">My role was a gateway to understanding the intricacies of media, finance, and influence. I attended and worked at our O You! events nationwide. O You! events were designed to make the magazine come to life and celebrate our readers in a meaningful and enlightening way.</span></p><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">I helped ensure all our VIP guests felt welcomed and their immediate needs were handled. Besides events, I navigated budgetary constraints, liaised with various stakeholders, and witnessed firsthand the power of information and leverage.</span></p><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">My tenure with Oprah wasn't just a chapter but a catalyst. I was able to quickly understand how we made revenue and how important keeping track of it was. This job was career-defining. It allowed me to be a trusted source to a brand and an individual who's very private and protective of those who work for her.</span></p><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">To this day, I'm asked how I have access to so many people with influence and wealth. I'll forever give Oprah Winfrey credit for giving me opportunities because I was vetted by someone so many people respect.</span></p><h2 class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--bs-heading-color); font-size: 1.875rem; line-height: 37.5px; margin: 1.875rem 0px 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">I forged my identity, in a competitive landscape</span></span></h2><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">I'll never forget when I asked for a meeting with Gayle King, O's editor at large after Oprah had given us a Christmas bonus. Instead of signing a card (something we did every year since and before I'd been there), I brainstormed with Gayle to do something that would be more meaningful. I came up with the idea to create a video where staff could say "thank you" and share how they used the extra cash over the holidays. It was a success.</span></p><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">I stepped up without realizing that's what I was doing. I just wanted to show that our team could be more grateful, and we could use video to express our gratitude to Oprah.</span></p><figure class="figure image-figure-image premium" data-e2e-name="image-figure-image" data-media-container="image" data-type="img" itemscope="" itemtype="https://schema.org/ImageObject" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; width: 555px;"><div class="lazy-holder" style="background: rgb(248, 248, 248); box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 370px; position: relative; width: 555px;"><img alt="Boodie with O You! colleagues holding a giant $10,000 check" class="lazy-image js-rendered" data-content-type="image/jpeg" data-srcs="{"https://i.insider.com/660361613f923f7dab018a45":{"contentType":"image/jpeg","aspectRatioW":1404,"aspectRatioH":936}}" src="https://i.insider.com/660361613f923f7dab018a45?width=1000&format=jpeg&auto=webp" style="background: none; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; left: 277.5px; max-width: none; opacity: 1; position: absolute; top: 185px; transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0px); transition: opacity 0.3s linear 0s; vertical-align: middle; width: 560.547px; z-index: 1;" /></div><span class="image-source-caption " style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-size: 0.875rem; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 11px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><figcaption class="image-caption headline-bold" data-e2e-name="image-caption" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 900; margin-right: 6px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">2010 photo of Oprah gifting all of her staff $10,000 checks each for the success of Oprah Magazine celebrating 10 years. <span class="image-source headline-regular" data-e2e-name="image-source" itemprop="creditText" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6d787a; display: inline; font-size: 0.875rem; font-weight: 400; line-height: 18.9px; word-break: break-word;">Courtesy of Boodie</span></span></figcaption></span></figure><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">After three years, I wanted to find my own path, so I left The Oprah Magazine. People thought I was crazy, but I realized I was attached to a brand that gave me influence, and I wanted to forge my own way.</span></p><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Now, as the founder of <a data-analytics-post-depth="100" data-analytics-product-module="body_link" href="https://www.connectup.media/" previewlistener="true" rel=" nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; text-decoration-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); text-decoration-thickness: 1px; text-underline-offset: 2px; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">ConnectUp Media</a>, a brand and influencer social impact company, I'm committed to bridging gaps and fostering relationships and business partnerships at the highest echelons. Think of us as high-level partnerships focusing on social impact. I work with celebrities, major brands, and billionaires. And it all started with a thank-you note.</span></p><h2 class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--bs-heading-color); font-size: 1.875rem; line-height: 37.5px; margin: 1.875rem 0px 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">A thank you note could be stronger now than ever before</span></span></h2><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">With emails being skipped and accidentally deleted, a handwritten note is possibly more powerful now than ever. The note should be sincere and specific about the conversation and the takeaways from what was discussed. It should also include the added value you'd bring to the role you're applying for. Be as specific as possible.</span></p><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The biggest takeaway from my entire experience interviewing and working for Oprah is that you're more likely to stand out when you position yourself as someone who can add value to the team. No matter how famous someone is, they all need support and a team they trust.</span></p><p class="premium" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 32px; margin: 2.15rem 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Boodie leads ConnectUp Media Agency, where he advises and manages influencers, royals, wealthy families, nonprofits, and brands on systemic impact, business strategy, events, and partnerships. </span></em></p></div>Anne Sulzbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17091067031029918700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744683886539852356.post-177777057107340282024-03-27T05:47:00.000-07:002024-03-27T05:47:35.635-07:00Can AI Help You Do Your Taxes?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgOuHn5uz9KabkoSFTpwBp3sw3QnI7YizApFpT1VPf2mKQeT5DN04Ro7aVJin-oJ32bgBimr7puWodzN1PjKSkMtNPPpM6RrPVSkAs3lRtYrp_lrwOfAChVfxJiucGiykWjFqjH1yGPmHHKfoMVT872i56ZVDNrzgJgHHTXn1zJ2tFwYE3V2nPeUxn_k/s2172/HR_2024.02.02_VOGUE_X_NINA_Shot_1_032.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2172" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgOuHn5uz9KabkoSFTpwBp3sw3QnI7YizApFpT1VPf2mKQeT5DN04Ro7aVJin-oJ32bgBimr7puWodzN1PjKSkMtNPPpM6RrPVSkAs3lRtYrp_lrwOfAChVfxJiucGiykWjFqjH1yGPmHHKfoMVT872i56ZVDNrzgJgHHTXn1zJ2tFwYE3V2nPeUxn_k/w472-h640/HR_2024.02.02_VOGUE_X_NINA_Shot_1_032.webp" width="472" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Leaders in the AI industry often argue that AI products can handle mundane tasks, thus allowing people to be more productive and creative. Tax preparation, a tedious and time-consuming task, has become a target for AI-powered tools to simplify the process. However, the current state of AI-powered tax tools presents challenges that outweigh the promises they hold. This analysis delves into the existing AI tools, their limitations, and the potential future impact of AI on the tax industry.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">1. Current Scenario of AI-Powered Tax Tools</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"> - American taxpayers spend an average of 13 hours and $240 on out-of-pocket costs to prepare and file their annual tax return.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"> - AI-powered tax software aims to automate repetitive tasks such as data entry, identify tax breaks, detect compliance risks, and address complex questions from filers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"> - However, reports have surfaced of AI chatbots providing incorrect tax information, raising concerns about their reliability and accuracy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">2. The IRS's Use of AI</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"> - The IRS is exploring the use of AI, including voicebots and chatbots, to address taxpayer queries and streamline the process.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"> - The deployment of AI in auditing aims to enhance fairness and target high earners, but concerns about potential biases in generative AI systems exist.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">3. Rollout of Chatbots by Major Financial Software Companies</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"> - Major tax software providers such as TurboTax and H&R Block have integrated AI into their products to assist filers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"> - Despite advancements in generative AI, reported instances of incorrect answers from AI chatbots highlight their limited reliability.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">4. AI Startups Disrupting the Tax Industry</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"> - Startups like April have entered the market, utilizing AI to offer tax estimation and information through existing financial platforms, reducing the burden of tax preparation for users.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"> - The use of AI tools has enabled startups to navigate the complex and evolving tax laws more efficiently, potentially shaping the future of tax filing services.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">5. Potential of AI to Aid Disadvantaged Filers</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"> - Nonprofits like Code for America are exploring how AI can assist low-to-moderate-income taxpayers in the tax filing process, potentially streamlining document verification and offering more personalized assistance.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The current state of AI in tax preparation reflects a mix of promise and challenges. While AI holds the potential to revolutionize the tax industry by automating and streamlining processes, concerns about accuracy, biases, and user trust remain. As the technology continues to advance, the future of tax filing and the role of AI in facilitating the process remain open to innovation and improvement.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>Anne Sulzbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17091067031029918700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744683886539852356.post-18675430187877809792024-03-27T04:54:00.000-07:002024-03-27T04:54:07.051-07:00What is the new etiquette for tipping?<p><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5T0nbO5gNgs7hfUDZh6hlhLDZGKvYFKEK4uVlh64Sq7r4Tdj4APB76-nq1b5UAdHIR1a9vj8QybNgy6FrLWiwo4HQ9wqLxuWqwa0cyx1pntK2BZK9_xTnvUOEZNzPaB2v-Vo4sgB2ZlnlApdKsfxPqr87vR59GXOJVpIXxPAfukAJVOSx_qezsopZyc/s3360/pepa.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3360" data-original-width="2240" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5T0nbO5gNgs7hfUDZh6hlhLDZGKvYFKEK4uVlh64Sq7r4Tdj4APB76-nq1b5UAdHIR1a9vj8QybNgy6FrLWiwo4HQ9wqLxuWqwa0cyx1pntK2BZK9_xTnvUOEZNzPaB2v-Vo4sgB2ZlnlApdKsfxPqr87vR59GXOJVpIXxPAfukAJVOSx_qezsopZyc/w426-h640/pepa.webp" width="426" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><br /> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; letter-spacing: 0.36px;">What are the new rules for tipping?</span></span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.36px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 1.17647em; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px; position: static; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Businesses that never seemed to ask for a tip before — like grocery stores, self-checkout machines, and fast food restaurants — are now asking for one these days.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.36px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 1.17647em; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px; position: static; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">To answer this question, it helps to understand the purpose of tipping and why requests have increased over the past few years. It's a tricky topic, says <a href="https://cepr.net/staff-member/sylvia-allegretto/" previewlistener="true" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #5076b8; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sylvia Allegretto</a>, a senior economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research who has done extensive research on wages and tipping. "It's confusing, people don't get it — but it's really quite important" to how some workers get paid.</span></p><aside aria-label="advertisement" id="ad-backstage-wrap" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.36px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></aside><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.36px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 1.17647em; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px; position: static; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">While some of our experts say much of the etiquette remains the same (for example, if you're not sure about who or how much to tip, don't be afraid to ask), there are a few new variables to keep in mind.</span></p><h3 class="edTag" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 35px auto 10px; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">A change in tipping culture</span></h3><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.36px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 1.17647em; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px; position: static; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Tipping expectations have grown over the past few years. According to <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/2023/11/09/tipping-culture-in-america-public-sees-a-changed-landscape/#:~:text=A%20broad%20majority%20of%20Americans,even%20been%20dubbed%20%E2%80%9Ctipflation.%E2%80%9D" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #5076b8; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">a 2023 Pew Research survey</a> of nearly 12,000 adults in the U.S., about 72% say they are being asked to tip service workers more frequently than in the past. And only about a third say it's "extremely or very easy" to know when and how much to tip.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.36px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 1.17647em; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px; position: static; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">One of the reasons is the pandemic. We started tipping people we didn't use to tip and tipping more than usual as a way to support essential workers at a time of crisis, says <a href="https://carey.jhu.edu/faculty/faculty-directory/shubhranshu-singh-phd" previewlistener="true" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #5076b8; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Shubhranshu Singh</a>, a marketing professor at Johns Hopkins University, who focuses on business strategy and management.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.36px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 1.17647em; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px; position: static; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">At the same time, the technology around how we pay has changed, says Singh. Square, the company behind many electronic payment screens gets a cut of each transaction, <a href="https://squareup.com/help/us/en/article/5068-what-are-square-s-fees" previewlistener="true" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #5076b8; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">including the tip</a>. So creating software that encourages tipping (and encourages big tips) means more money for companies like Square.</span></p><aside aria-label="advertisement" id="ad-secondary-wrap" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.36px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></aside><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.36px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 1.17647em; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px; position: static; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Tipping is also a way to pay workers more without actually raising their wages. It allows restaurants to get more money to workers while still keeping their prices low, says <a href="https://www.bu.edu/hospitality/profile/sean-jung/" previewlistener="true" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #5076b8; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sean Jung</a>, a professor at Boston University's School of Hospitality Administration.</span></p><h3 class="edTag" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 35px auto 10px; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Why we tip in America</span></h3><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.36px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 1.17647em; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px; position: static; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">In the U.S., we have a two-tier wage system, says Allegretto. "We have minimum wages and then we have subminimum or cash wages paid to workers who are tipped."</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.36px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 1.17647em; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px; position: static; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">There's the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, but every state can set its own minimum wage. Some states have minimum wages that are more than twice that.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.36px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 1.17647em; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px; position: static; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">There's also a subminimum wage. That is a wage some service workers get paid that is below minimum wage. The idea is that workers earn a subminimum wage and then customer tips make up the difference to get workers up to minimum wage.</span></p><h3 class="edTag" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 35px auto 10px; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Location matters</span></h3><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.36px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 1.17647em; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px; position: static; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">When deciding how much to tip, it can be helpful to look up the minimum and subminimum wages of your state, says Allegretto. The think tank Economic Policy Institute has <a href="https://www.epi.org/minimum-wage-tracker/" previewlistener="true" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #5076b8; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">a wage tracker</a> that can help you find this information.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.36px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 1.17647em; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px; position: static; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">The tip you leave for a server in one state might mean something different to a server in another. In Washington state, for example, the minimum wage is more than $16 an hour and there is no subminimum wage for workers like servers. Meanwhile, in Tennessee, the subminimum wage is $2.13 — so your server is probably counting on the extra change you leave for your pie and coffee.</span></p><h3 class="edTag" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 35px auto 10px; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">When in doubt, ask</span></h3><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.36px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 1.17647em; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px; position: static; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">It's not always clear which types of workers earn a minimum and subminimum wage. Often, a subminimum wage will get paid to bartenders, servers, and people who work at car washes, but it's hard to know.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.36px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 1.17647em; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px; position: static; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Allegretto acknowledges that the system is complicated. It "puts way too much on the customer [to know] what people are getting paid in different jobs in different states."</span></p><aside aria-label="advertisement" id="ad-third-wrap" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.36px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></aside><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.36px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 1.17647em; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px; position: static; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">So if you're not sure whether you should tip or how much, simply ask the person who is serving you, says Singh. He shares some helpful questions:</span></p><ul class="edTag" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.36px; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px 0px 60px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.02em; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1.17647em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What is the minimum and subminimum wage in your state? </strong>If the minimum wage is low, your tip will help the employee make a livable wage. If there is no subminimum wage, tips are actually gratuity. </span></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.02em; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1.17647em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Do you keep your whole tip?</strong> Some payment systems like Square take a portion of the tip, so that may be a factor in how much you decide to leave behind. </span></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.02em; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1.17647em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How can I make sure you're getting my tip? </strong>Some businesses might not be tipping the person you think your money's going to. </span></li></ul><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.36px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 1.17647em; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px; position: static; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">If you don't feel comfortable asking these questions, Singh says you can always tip in cash. "Then you know you are giving that person money right there."</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.36px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 1.17647em; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px; position: static; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Don't forget to tip people who you might not have a direct interaction with, like hotel housekeepers, says Singh.</span></p><h3 class="edTag" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 35px auto 10px; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">How to deal with unexpected tip requests</span></h3><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.36px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 1.17647em; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px; position: static; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">If a business you don't expect to ask for a tip is suddenly asking you for a tip, what should you do?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.36px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 1.17647em; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px; position: static; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">It's up to you to decide whether or not to tip and how much, but Singh likes to leave a 10% tip. If an establishment is asking for a tip, it's often an indication that the workers there are not getting paid a minimum wage. So it's good to err on the side of leaving something.</span></p><h3 class="edTag" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 35px auto 10px; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Beware of 'screen pressure'</span></h3><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; float: none; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.36px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 1.17647em; max-width: 680px; padding: 0px 15px; position: static; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">One last thing to watch out for? Screen pressure, says Singh. Some businesses load their payment systems with default minimum tip options of more than 20%. If you don't want to give that much, don't worry about holding up the line to take an extra moment to select the "custom tip" option.</span></p>Anne Sulzbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17091067031029918700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744683886539852356.post-22497349679040469422024-03-27T04:10:00.000-07:002024-03-27T04:10:54.867-07:00China’s anxious jobseekers face reality as career aspirations vanish, youth unemployment pressure remains<p><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">Despite Beijing’s repeated push, young jobseekers in China are being forced to shed career aspirations and yield to lower-paid positions amid shrinking opportunities, mirroring the overall mounting employment woes.</span></span></p><section class="e1oct4f97 css-19sk4h4 e1n4d2ln0" data-qa="ContentBody-ContentBodyContainer" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="e15kmbpe0 css-1c6uqr6 e1346ty31" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 0px 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJHvJlVadHLQdks7OUbc5gGHDkujvbIMG4PaorPde9zCC7GYnKhprgeBvyTJ_HpUN37DYLCPnYoJLIahHbEUG__MsRj9P1shpUfCaNDOVg4_4TBN2ulojDqZS95wCbkxpDCCzkbpVnL9UDyFaTGBcEpjNvTepXrQbvKufhO_03TwEqD0AX-sEdkkwVlU/s1560/7xm.xyz340504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1560" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJHvJlVadHLQdks7OUbc5gGHDkujvbIMG4PaorPde9zCC7GYnKhprgeBvyTJ_HpUN37DYLCPnYoJLIahHbEUG__MsRj9P1shpUfCaNDOVg4_4TBN2ulojDqZS95wCbkxpDCCzkbpVnL9UDyFaTGBcEpjNvTepXrQbvKufhO_03TwEqD0AX-sEdkkwVlU/w400-h256/7xm.xyz340504.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><br />Stella Zhang, who graduated from one of China’s most prestigious universities in Beijing last year, said her long-held belief that “good education leads to a bright future” had been shattered by the reality of the job market.</span><p></p><p class="e15kmbpe0 css-1c6uqr6 e1346ty31" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 0px 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“Now I’ve shed all idealistic expectations for work, such as being a platform for self-fulfillment. A job is simply a way for me to lead a stable life,” said the 24-year-old, who was unemployed for over six months after graduating.</span></p></section><section class=" e1oct4f96 css-1myfomw e1n4d2ln0" data-qa="ContentBody-ContentBodyContainer" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="e15kmbpe0 css-1xdhyk6 e1346ty30" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block-end: 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Zhang is among the countless young Chinese jobseekers grappling with disillusionment within the grim employment market, where the adjusted youth unemployment rate for the 16-24 age group excluding students reached 15.3 percent in February, up from <span class="css-0 e1qbu6wp0" data-qa="Component-Text" style="border-block-end: 1px solid rgb(27, 142, 248); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">14.6 percent in January.</span></span></div><div class="scmp-code-block methode-html-wrapper e1kkz63z0 css-1llrc1m ecv2zmr0" data-qa="Component-renderMap-StyledDiv" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 12px 32px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;"><div class="css-11e67hp e1xwtlg81" data-qa="Component-Container" style="aspect-ratio: 1.5 / 1; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><iframe aria-label="Interactive line chart" class="egjo8d0 ewvphk0 css-126ir1i e1xwtlg80" data-external="1" data-qa="Component-StyledIframe" height="400" id="datawrapper-chart-HTVaQ" name="datawrapper-chart-HTVaQ" scrolling="no" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/HTVaQ/28/" style="border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; transform-origin: left top; transform: scale(1.09891); vertical-align: baseline;" title="China's youth unemployment rate (16-24)" width="600"></iframe></div></div><p class="e15kmbpe0 css-1c6uqr6 e1346ty31" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 0px 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">While the government has been rolling out rounds of supportive measures to bolster the employment that is deemed key to maintaining social stability and boosting consumption confidence, China is still faced with growing unemployment pressure amid a set of economic headwinds.</span></p><div class="js-reading-20-percent-completion-tracker css-19icq8a e1gsc5vp0" data-qa="useTrackViewedPercentageRender-trackViewedPercentageRenders-TrackPercentageBlock" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding-block-start: 1px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div class="e15kmbpe0 css-1xdhyk6 e1346ty30" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block-end: 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The ongoing downturn in the property market, slumping investment, and the chronic <span class="css-0 e1qbu6wp0" data-qa="Component-Text" style="border-block-end: 1px solid rgb(27, 142, 248); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">payment arrears plaguing the private firms</span> that have driven the biggest creator of jobs to downsize their workforce are all weighing on the world’s second-largest economy.</span></div><p class="e15kmbpe0 css-1c6uqr6 e1346ty31" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 0px 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“There are weaknesses in ensuring people’s livelihoods, with great pressure to stabilize employment,” the National Development and Reform Commission said in this year’s work plan released during the “two sessions” parliamentary meetings earlier this month.</span></p><p class="e15kmbpe0 css-1c6uqr6 e1346ty31" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 0px 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“While some people are struggling to find jobs, some positions are also facing increased difficulty in recruitment.”</span></p><figure class="css-1yuz473 exv1azg4" data-qa="Component-StyledFigure" style="-webkit-box-pack: start; align-items: flex-start; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-flow: column; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 900; justify-content: flex-start; line-height: 31px; margin-block: 12px 32px; margin-inline: auto; margin: 0px; max-inline-size: 576px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><svg class="css-0 exv1azg5" data-qa="Component-StyledQuoteIcon" height="45" viewbox="0 0 68 45" width="68" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><path d="M30 30l-7.5 7.5L15 45V30H0V0h30v30zm38 0l-7.5 7.5L53 45V30H38V0h30v30z" fill-rule="evenodd" fill="#001246"></path></span><blockquote class="css-ehz5s0 exv1azg3" data-qa="Component-StyledBlockquote" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block-start: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; quotes: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Why should we bear the burden from the macro environment?</span></blockquote><figcaption class="css-118so8m exv1azg2" data-qa="Component-StyledFigcaption" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Stella Zhang</span></figcaption><footer class="css-chhyau exv1azg1" data-qa="Component-StyledFooter" style="border-block-start: 4px solid rgb(0, 18, 70); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block-start: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="exv1azg0 css-le0xz7 eizhbml1" data-qa="ContentShareWidget-Container" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-pack: start; align-items: center; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-flow: row; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; justify-content: flex-start; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div></footer></figure><p class="e15kmbpe0 css-1c6uqr6 e1346ty31" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 0px 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The top economic planner also highlighted a notable growth in the workforce and some structural adjustments, such as rural labor migration, were leading to an even larger demand for job creation.</span></p><p class="e15kmbpe0 css-1c6uqr6 e1346ty31" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 0px 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">This pushed the government to raise its target to create more than 12 million new jobs in urban areas this year, having said it created 12.44 million last year.</span></p><div class="js-reading-50-percent-completion-tracker css-19icq8a e1gsc5vp0" data-qa="useTrackViewedPercentageRender-trackViewedPercentageRenders-TrackPercentageBlock" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding-block-start: 1px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div class="e15kmbpe0 css-1xdhyk6 e1346ty30" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block-end: 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">But a record <span class="css-0 e1qbu6wp0" data-qa="Component-Text" style="border-block-end: 1px solid rgb(27, 142, 248); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">11.79 million university students</span> are set to graduate this year, which is expected to compound the employment woes.</span></div><p class="e15kmbpe0 css-1c6uqr6 e1346ty31" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 0px 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“Employers are looking for fresh graduates with both good academic background and sufficient work experience,” said Zhang, who admitted she regretted focusing too much on academics instead of making time for internships.</span></p><p class="e15kmbpe0 css-1c6uqr6 e1346ty31" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 0px 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“But why should those who have just started university be pressured to have a clear career path already? Why should we bear the burden from the macro environment?”</span></p><figure class="css-1yuz473 exv1azg4" data-qa="Component-StyledFigure" style="-webkit-box-pack: start; align-items: flex-start; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-flow: column; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 900; justify-content: flex-start; line-height: 31px; margin-block: 12px 32px; margin-inline: auto; margin: 0px; max-inline-size: 576px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><svg class="css-0 exv1azg5" data-qa="Component-StyledQuoteIcon" height="45" viewbox="0 0 68 45" width="68" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><path d="M30 30l-7.5 7.5L15 45V30H0V0h30v30zm38 0l-7.5 7.5L53 45V30H38V0h30v30z" fill-rule="evenodd" fill="#001246"></path></span><blockquote class="css-ehz5s0 exv1azg3" data-qa="Component-StyledBlockquote" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block-start: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; quotes: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Between idealism and reality, the priority for us is to survive</span></blockquote><figcaption class="css-118so8m exv1azg2" data-qa="Component-StyledFigcaption" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Ding Lin, jobseeker</span></figcaption><footer class="css-chhyau exv1azg1" data-qa="Component-StyledFooter" style="border-block-start: 4px solid rgb(0, 18, 70); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block-start: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="exv1azg0 css-le0xz7 eizhbml1" data-qa="ContentShareWidget-Container" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-pack: start; align-items: center; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-flow: row; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; justify-content: flex-start; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div></footer></figure><p class="e15kmbpe0 css-1c6uqr6 e1346ty31" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 0px 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">As fresh graduates like Zhang are undergoing the pains of rejection due to lack of experience, seasoned jobseekers have also found the worsening job market is failing to meet their expectations.</span></p><p class="e15kmbpe0 css-1c6uqr6 e1346ty31" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 0px 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“My bachelor’s degree no longer cuts [it in the job market]. Most large platforms now require candidates with a master’s degree from a reputable university,” said 29-year-old jobseeker Ding Lin from Hunan province, who lost her previous job in the real estate sector nine months ago during a large-scale round of lay-offs.</span></p><p class="e15kmbpe0 css-1c6uqr6 e1346ty31" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 0px 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Ding said she had only received five responses from over 500 job applications, among which two rejected her at the final stage because of her age.</span></p><p class="e15kmbpe0 css-1c6uqr6 e1346ty31" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 0px 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“The job offer I’ve got at the moment even pays less than my first job, but I still want to find a job as soon as possible,” she said.</span></p><p class="e15kmbpe0 css-1c6uqr6 e1346ty31" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 0px 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“My gap without work is so long that it’s causing huge anxiety for me. Many people of my age are facing mortgage pressure, so between idealism and reality, the priority for us is to survive.”</span></p><p class="e15kmbpe0 css-1c6uqr6 e1346ty31" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 0px 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">The jobless rate for the 25-29 age group stood at 6.4 percent in February, up slightly from 6.2 percent in January.</span></p><div class="methode-html-wrapper oembed-wrapper e1kkz63z0 css-1llrc1m ecv2zmr0" data-qa="Component-renderMap-StyledDiv" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 12px 32px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;"><div class="speech-skip-target e1yzzwz60 css-1p2dind e132il0u0" data-qa="Component-SCMPYoutubeVideoContainer" style="aspect-ratio: 16 / 9; block-size: auto; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; inline-size: 659.358px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="css-0 ezmfhz44" data-qa="SCMPYouTubeVideoPlayer-Container" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="css-3piabr ezmfhz43" data-qa="SCMPYouTubeVideoPlayer-VideoContainer" style="block-size: 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; inline-size: 659.358px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-inline-size: 100%; padding-block-end: 370.885px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class=" css-xyf3ni ezmfhz42" style="block-size: auto; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; inline-size: 659.358px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" id="yt-ZJSnyP-3rxA-3256380-26" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZJSnyP-3rxA?autoplay=1&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.scmp.com&playsinline=1&rel=0&embed_config=%7B%22adsConfig%22%3A%7B%22adTagParameters%22%3A%7B%22iu%22%3A%228134%2Fscmp%2Fweb%2Feconomic_economicindicators%2Farticle%2Finstream1%22%7D%2C%22disableAds%22%3Atrue%2C%22nonPersonalizedAd%22%3Atrue%7D%2C%22disabledRelatedVideos%22%3Atrue%2C%22enableIma%22%3Atrue%2C%22relatedChannels%22%3A%5B%22UC4SUWizzKc1tptprBkWjX2Q%22%5D%7D&enablejsapi=1&widgetid=1" style="aspect-ratio: 16 / 9; block-size: 370.885px; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; inline-size: 659.358px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title=" China’s young abandon consumerism in favour of fulfilling experiences"></iframe></span></div><div class="css-1kymiby ezmfhz40" data-qa="SCMPYouTubeVideoPlayer-AdContainer" id="ad-yt-ZJSnyP-3rxA-3256380-26" style="block-size: 0px !important; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; inline-size: 659.358px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding-block-end: 370.885px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div></div></div><div class="e132il0u1 css-n8zt3b e473b3v0" data-qa="SCMPYouTubeVideoFooter-VideoTitleContainer" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block-start: 12px; margin-inline: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><svg class="css-1ckj6g e473b3v1" data-qa="SCMPYouTubeVideoFooter-StyledVideoRecorder" height="19" viewbox="0 0 14 9" width="14" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><path d="M10.889 3.375V.75c0-.412-.35-.75-.778-.75H.778C.35 0 0 .338 0 .75v7.5c0 .412.35.75.778.75h9.333c.428 0 .778-.338.778-.75V5.625l3.111 3V.375l-3.111 3z" fill="#6f6f6f"></path></span><div class="css-0 e473b3v2" data-qa="SCMPYouTubeVideoFooter-VideoTitle" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">China’s young abandon consumerism in favour of fulfilling experiences</span></div></div></div></div><p class="e15kmbpe0 css-1c6uqr6 e1346ty31" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 0px 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Vice-minister Liao Min said last week that the Ministry of Finance would lead government-backed financing institutions to favor labor-intensive enterprises to address the employment challenges.</span></p><p class="e15kmbpe0 css-1c6uqr6 e1346ty31" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 0px 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“We anticipate leveraging an additional 1.3 trillion yuan (US$180 billion) in loans by 2024, stabilizing over 12 million positions and driving the creation of over 600,000 new jobs,” Liao said.</span></p><p class="e15kmbpe0 css-1c6uqr6 e1346ty31" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 0px 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">He added the government would provide entrepreneurship subsidies to university graduates or those with employment difficulties who first start small businesses to unleash entrepreneurship-driven employment.</span></p><p class="e15kmbpe0 css-1c6uqr6 e1346ty31" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 0px 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">But while the government is trying to ease the pressure on employment, young jobseekers are also struggling to find their way out.</span></p><p class="e15kmbpe0 css-1c6uqr6 e1346ty31" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 0px 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Maxie Wu, a 28-year-old programmer in Shenzhen, resigned from his job last month due to its grueling work schedule, only to find fewer job opportunities available and a pay cut of around 30 percent</span></p><figure class="css-1yuz473 exv1azg4" data-qa="Component-StyledFigure" style="-webkit-box-pack: start; align-items: flex-start; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-flow: column; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 900; justify-content: flex-start; line-height: 31px; margin-block: 12px 32px; margin-inline: auto; margin: 0px; max-inline-size: 576px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><svg class="css-0 exv1azg5" data-qa="Component-StyledQuoteIcon" height="45" viewbox="0 0 68 45" width="68" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><path d="M30 30l-7.5 7.5L15 45V30H0V0h30v30zm38 0l-7.5 7.5L53 45V30H38V0h30v30z" fill-rule="evenodd" fill="#001246"></path></span><blockquote class="css-ehz5s0 exv1azg3" data-qa="Component-StyledBlockquote" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block-start: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; quotes: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">This kind of disappointment with the job market is a blow to people at any stage</span></blockquote><figcaption class="css-118so8m exv1azg2" data-qa="Component-StyledFigcaption" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Maxie Wu, an unemployed programmer</span></figcaption><footer class="css-chhyau exv1azg1" data-qa="Component-StyledFooter" style="border-block-start: 4px solid rgb(0, 18, 70); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block-start: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="exv1azg0 css-le0xz7 eizhbml1" data-qa="ContentShareWidget-Container" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-pack: start; align-items: center; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-flow: row; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; justify-content: flex-start; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div></footer></figure><p class="e15kmbpe0 css-1c6uqr6 e1346ty31" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 0px 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“If I had known the market would be this tough, I would have preferred to [stay with my previous job] and work until 11pm,” he lamented.</span></p><p class="e15kmbpe0 css-1c6uqr6 e1346ty31" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 0px 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“I’m really anxious, mostly about whether I should continue to be a programmer. Even if I survive and find a job this time, in two or three years, I would still need to face the crisis of being replaced by the younger programmers who cost less and have more energy.”</span></p><p class="e15kmbpe0 css-1c6uqr6 e1346ty31" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 0px 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">Wu considered if he should pursue a less competitive career, such as being an electrician, even though the job receives less social recognition.</span></p><p class="e15kmbpe0 css-1c6uqr6 e1346ty31" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 0px 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“My situation is better than many graduates, as I at least have experience. Many graduates told me they have been unemployed for six months or even a year, and some even said not finding a job within three months is already normal,” he said.</span></p><p class="e15kmbpe0 css-1c6uqr6 e1346ty31" data-qa="Component-Component" datatype="p" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-block: 0px 20px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;">“This kind of disappointment with the job market is a blow to people at any stage.”</span></p></section>Anne Sulzbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17091067031029918700noreply@blogger.com0