Workplace trends

Tech workers are losing more perks

Once a powerful tool for attracting top talent, the era of lavish work perks in the tech industry – from gourmet meals to on-site fitness classes and even nail care services – may be coming to an end. With tech job postings approximately 30% below pre-pandemic levels, according to Indeed, employers are finding themselves firmly back in control. This power dynamic shift, coupled with economic pressures, has led companies to rapidly scale back and even eliminate many luxuries. Meta has cut free laundry services, Salesforce discontinued its monthly paid wellness day, and Google reduced access to snacks and leisure services like yoga. With perks continuing to vanish from company benefits packages, experts say we’re seeing signals of a broader transformation in the tech industry’s approach to employee retention and satisfaction, raising questions about future talent acquisition strategies.

North Koreans are using remote roles to infiltrate US companies

North Korean operatives are exploiting the boom in remote work opportunities to secure hundreds of low-level IT roles at US companies. Through the use of stolen foreign identities, these workers have successfully penetrated various high-profile organizations, including major television networks, Silicon Valley tech firms, aerospace and defense companies, and American car manufacturers, according to the US Justice Department. Their scheme serves several purposes: funneling hundreds of millions of dollars annually into Kim Jong Un’s regime, potentially providing access to valuable intellectual property, and creating backdoors for future cyberattacks. According to cyber experts, the widespread nature of this infiltration underscores the urgent need for heightened vigilance in remote hiring practices across all industries.

The AI corner

Authors warn that AI is getting lost in translation

Dutch publisher Veen Bosch & Keuning’s recent announcement that it plans to use AI tools for book translations has sparked controversy among authors and translators. Translators argue that their work transcends mere mechanical language translation, encompassing the nuances of rhythm, poetry, wordplay, metaphor, and, most critically, cultural sensitivity – elements they believe machines cannot capture. Both translators and authors emphasize that AI translations would necessitate meticulous checking and editing by bilingual experts, making it more efficient to simply start with a human translator. However, those in support of AI translations assert that the potential benefits – such as significantly expanding book readership and accessibility – may outweigh the risks of losing some literary nuances. This debate once again underscores the ongoing tension between AI’s advancement and the preservation of human artistry.

AI is killing the hourly rate for ad agencies

Traditionally, ad agencies billed clients based on employee hours, but with AI drastically cutting the time, manpower, and tools needed to produce creative work, some are exploring new billing models. AI now enables agencies to effortlessly produce personalized creative images, changing elements like color, lighting, language, and positioning – tasks that were once highly manual and time-consuming. The technology also empowers copywriters to generate multiple iterations of their work with ease. So, in response to this shift, agencies are transitioning towards value-based pricing, focusing on the ‘what’ rather than the ‘how long.’ This evolution in pricing strategy encourages agencies to maximize the technology’s capabilities, which could lead to more innovative and effective campaigns in the near future.

Navigating the holidays with your team

While the holidays are meant to be a joyful time of year, for many, they can actually feel like a lot to manage – from budgeting for travel and gifts to navigating complex family dynamics to meeting ambitious year-end goals at work. In fact, 52% of workers report extra stress during the holiday season, according to the Society for Human Resource Management, and 42% of employees feel heightened work-related stress as end-of-year deadlines approach, per a Gallup study.

So, as we dive into this busy season, being mindful of the pressures your team might be facing can go a long way in this complicated period. Not only is it important to remember that everyone celebrates the holidays differently, but also that each person on your team has unique family dynamics, holiday sentiments, and circumstances that can lead to added pressure when they’re trying to close out the year strong. Also, recognize that sometimes the employees who seem to be the most positive and upbeat may be seriously struggling underneath.

With this in mind, how can you create an environment of support and understanding, while still ensuring key deadlines are met?

Set realistic end-of-year goals

Planning thoughtfully can help you set achievable deadlines that take holidays and vacations into account. Try to set your goals early and avoid adding last-minute projects to the list so that your team can focus on the initiatives that truly matter without feeling frantic. Similarly, do your best to communicate expectations early and regularly follow up to ensure there’s alignment and clarity across your team. This way, the end of the year becomes an opportunity to finish on a high note, not a stressful sprint, creating a win-win for your team’s well-being and overall impact.

Address holiday stress

Try to take some time in an upcoming group meeting to acknowledge the added stress your team members may be facing during the holiday season. As it turns out, 45% of people want emotional validation during tough times, according to research by Clearer Thinking, so be sure to check in with your team more often in the coming weeks and ask if there’s anything they need from you. When employees feel confident that you genuinely care about their well-being, it can ease some of the pressure they’re carrying and ensure greater outcomes for your team.

Try to be flexible

44% of workers are burned out, according to a study by the Society of Human Resource Management, and that’s in a regular month! The added stress of holiday deadlines and obligations can accelerate those feelings, so try your best to be flexible with your team’s hours and in-office attendance if you aren’t a remote team. Allowing employees to adjust their schedules and take time off when needed can make a real difference in their overall well-being during the season. In fact, this kind of flexibility not only helps prevent burnout, it can also boost morale and engagement, per Harvard Business Review.

Avoid assumptions and generalizations

Because we work with our team every day, we might think we know what their lives are like outside of the office. But there may be complex topics you haven’t covered in your day-to-day discussions, which could be triggered by asking specific questions about their holiday plans.
For example, a person might have suffered a recent loss or had a falling out with a certain family member, which they haven’t disclosed to you or the team. So asking them questions like “Are you spending the holidays with your family?” might be a sensitive topic for them.

Instead, consider reframing your talk of the holidays by asking more general questions like “Do you have anything planned for the holidays?” or simply making more general statements like “I hope you’ll have some time to rest over the break.” This might help you avoid a painful conversation, and on the flip side, if your employee wants to tell you their plans, they can.

Create inclusive celebrations

Some people celebrate religious holidays, some cultural, and some don’t celebrate any holidays at all, so in your end-of-year celebrations, try to focus less on the religious aspect and more on the special feeling of bringing everyone together. Maybe you organize a nice dinner with your team and reminisce about the things you’ve achieved together throughout the year, or have everyone vote on a fun activity to do as a group like go-cart racing, paint and sip, or going to a theme park. Whatever you choose, give your team members the chance to weigh in on the planning so it feels meaningful and relevant.

Check in with yourself

If you yourself are navigating complicated feelings during the holiday season, it’s important to set boundaries and prioritize your well-being too. Consider lightening your schedule by reducing non-essential meetings and blocking off time to take a breather – whether it’s an uninterrupted lunch break, a walk outside, or a quick call with a friend. Doing so not only ensures you’re taking care of your own needs, it also sets the tone that this type of behavior is expected on your team. So approach this season with both empathy and efficiency  – both for your sake and for the sake of your team members.

Show gratitude for hard work

The holidays are a great time to express gratitude and set a warm tone across your team. So, rather than waiting for a formal meeting or team celebration to express it, try to work appreciation into your everyday interactions during this chaotic time. With gratitude towards coworkers raising happiness levels by 25%, according to Forbes, do your best to lead with thankfulness in your daily hustle to inspire your team members to do the same. This can be as simple as sending a private message to an employee you see going the extra mile or ending a meeting with a note of specific thanks. When you understand how much of an impact gratitude can have on teams, you might consider making it a habit during the holiday season that will carry over to 2025 and beyond!

Water cooler chatter

Amazon is developing special glasses to help drivers evade scary dogs. With increasing reports of dog-related incidents during deliveries, the e-commerce giant is working on a version of its Echo Frames smart glasses for drivers that can scout the locations of intimidating dogs. The glasses will also provide directions within buildings, shaving off time from each delivery and ensuring a safer overall experience.

Canada’s TikTok offices are getting shut down. This decision arises from increasing national security concerns over TikTok’s Chinese ownership and the risk of sharing sensitive information with Chinese authorities. However, Canadians will still have access to the app and can continue to create and share content individually, raising questions about the effectiveness of closing offices while allowing the app to remain accessible.

Question of the week

Last week’s answer: 9 days

This week’s question: How many kilometers does the average office chair with wheels travel per year?

Just for laughs