Workplace trends

Trump is threatening tariffs on top trading partners

President-elect Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico, along with an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods – effective immediately upon taking office. This aggressive move aims to address illegal immigration and drug trafficking, particularly the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. According to government data, China, Mexico, and Canada account for roughly 40% of the $3.2 trillion in goods the U.S. imports annually. Experts warn that if enacted, these tariffs could escalate tensions with America’s top trading partners, lead to higher prices for consumers, and potentially cripple North American supply chains. Supporters, however, contend that beyond disrupting the drug trade, Trump’s strategy could boost domestic manufacturing, aligning with his agenda to prioritize American jobs.

Cuba’s tourism is crumbling

Between its stunning Caribbean beaches, rich history, vintage cars, and relative safety, Cuba has everything it needs to be a thriving tourism hotspot. However, the number of visitors to this communist-ruled island has nearly halved in recent years. The situation worsened after a four-day nationwide blackout in October, which led to significant cancellations from concerned tourists, according to tour operators. Experts attribute the general decline in tourism, a key pillar of the country’s economy, to the migration of skilled labor from the tourism sector and a deteriorating economy that has left tour operators struggling to find accommodations that can provide basic necessities for tourists. Without addressing these critical issues, Cuba’s tourism industry faces a difficult future.

The AI corner

Coding boot camps are losing their edge in the AI era

While coding boot camps once seemed like a quick path to high-paying careers and job stability, the rise of AI has changed that landscape. Back in 2020, 79% of 3,000 surveyed boot camp graduates reported landing tech jobs with an average salary increase of around 56%, per Course Report. However, as AI tools become mainstream and automate much of the simple coding typically taught in entry-level courses, traditional coding programs can no longer compete with faster, cheaper AI coding tools. The shift is becoming increasingly evident, with Google CEO Sundar Pichai recently noting that more than a quarter of the company’s new code is now generated by AI – though still reviewed and accepted by engineers. As AI capabilities continue to advance, the outlook for traditional coding careers appears increasingly uncertain.

Chinese companies are building AI teams in Silicon Valley

In an effort to recruit top US talent from rival organizations and get access to key trade secrets, Chinese tech companies are aggressively expanding their recruitment in Silicon Valley. Huawei, Alibaba, ByteDance, and Meituan are among those reportedly approaching engineers, product managers, and AI researchers from leading AI-first organizations like OpenAI – offering staff with access to sensitive info up to three times their current salaries. This strategic push is persisting despite U.S. efforts to curb China’s AI advancements, including a ban on exporting high-end Nvidia AI chips that are crucial for AI model development. Experts say the expansion underscores Chinese companies’ determination to remain competitive in the global AI race, despite US limitations.

Leading in divisive times

Politics has recently become the leading source of stress for most adults, according to NPR, with 70% of surveyed US respondents pointing to the future of their country as a significant source of anxiety, as reported by the American Psychological Association. And with current events being what they are, discussions around policies and elections are creeping their way into the workplace, creating an uncomfortable environment for many employees. In fact, 45% of workers don’t want to go into the office anymore because of political tensions, according to Fast Company, illustrating how complicated it can be to lead in such divisive times.

Even if your team members are like-minded, or at least don’t discuss politics at work, they might still carry fear and uncertainties about the future, which can significantly affect their concentration. Now, more than ever, it is essential to unite and focus your team on a shared purpose while building a safe environment for people to bring their authentic selves to work – free of judgment. This can be a tall order when you’re working on an opinionated team with varying perspectives, but if you can get them to find common ground while appreciating their differences as a group, it can improve morale while boosting productivity.

So, how can you help your employees stay connected during these divisive times?

Defer to experts

If news overload is triggering mental health issues that are impacting your team’s performance, it needs to be addressed. Unfortunately, 37% of managers fear saying the wrong thing to their teams when talking about mental health-related topics right now, according to Calm’s 2024 Voice of the Market Report – and their reservations are not unfounded. Even a well-intentioned acknowledgment of stress about the state of the world can unintentionally come across as favoring one political perspective over another, leaving some team members feeling alienated or attacked.

That’s why it can be beneficial to turn to specialists at your organization to help you navigate these nuanced messages. Your internal comms or HR teams may already have a strategy for addressing the issue of political discussions or divisive behavior at work, so if this is the case, do your best to follow their guidance and consult them whenever you have doubts. If they don’t have a plan, consider bringing the subject to their attention and urging them to develop one to ensure consistency and intention across your organization.

Educate yourself

Many companies have corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives as part of their communications plans, which might include supporting specific charities or causes. In these complicated times, some employees may harbor negative feelings about your company supporting one cause over another based on their personal political leanings. So, try to educate yourself on the “why” behind the decisions your organization has made in order to effectively transmit the logic to your team if questions arise. For example, your company may choose to sponsor charities that align with the theme of the business and tie in with its specific mission.

Addressing employee concerns with transparency and respect for their perspective sends a clear message that you care about them and how they feel. And on that note, when relevant, you can assure your team members that you’ll relay their concerns to higher-ups and keep them posted on the response you receive.

Create safe spaces

Whether your company has decided that political discussions are off limits or it encourages healthy debate, employees may need a space to simply voice their feelings about tensions between teammates or disappointment about shifting dynamics. This is where you come in. Try offering anonymous feedback channels or taking some time in your one-on-one meetings to ask your team members how they’re feeling about the environment on your team. Doing so provides a sense of psychological safety, which is a key characteristic of high-performing teams, according to Harvard Business Review.

Focus on common ground

As mentioned above, political discussions at work can often highlight differences between team members, causing friction that can erode collaboration. That’s why organizing team-building activities focused on shared values can be helpful, such as volunteering for a non-political cause that everyone supports – like beach clean-ups or helping a school arts program. Company-sponsored volunteering boosts employee bonding and creates a sense of identification between employees and their companies, according to research by Stanford Business. This supports the idea that finding common interests can bring your team together even when some of their personal viewpoints differ.

Encourage unity

70% of people say their manager has more of an impact on their mental health than their therapist or doctor, according to Forbes, illustrating the impact your words and actions can have on your team. So set an example of what respect at work looks like by modeling inclusive language and behavior. You might do this by vocalizing your appreciation for honest discussions, expressing gratitude for your team members’ passion, or recognizing how they’re solving challenges together. Using this kind of inclusive language might seem passive, but when it’s consistently integrated into your interactions, it can have a meaningful impact on the way your team members approach teamwork – especially when their perspectives are different.

Water cooler chatter

Airbnb is planning to host a mock gladiator fight in Rome’s Colosseum. The event is part of a $1.5 million deal between the vacation rental giant and the Colosseum Archaeological Park, offering 16 tourists the chance to participate in historically themed battles dressed in gladiator garb. However, Rome’s councilor for culture has asked Airbnb to withdraw the plan, calling it an insult to the Colosseum’s historic stature.

Delta will start serving Shake Shack cheeseburgers on their flights. This option is exclusively available to first-class passengers on routes over 900 miles. While the burgers will initially be offered only on flights departing from Boston, travelers can expect them on most U.S. flights by 2025.

Question of the week

Last week’s answer: 42

This week’s question: What is the average lifespan of a job posting before it gets filled?

Just for laughs