WorkLife

26/01/2024

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26/01/2024

The work side of TikTok is exploding.

On the app, has 30.6 billion views, from content that ranges from day-in-the-life depictions to videos about work dramas and hilarious coworkers. has an additional 2.4 billion views, and has 4.9 billion views. Between each of those hashtags, creators are rising to the surface and taking advantage of the reliability of the content that can be made on this platform.

Some of these workplace influencers have kept their day jobs to ensure there isn’t a shortage of story ideas, while others have decided to take the plunge into full-time content creation. And it’s possible in part due to paid partnerships. When you’re scrolling through the app, you might see more and more videos with the paid partnership tag on it.

So how does a workplace content creator leverage these partnerships and monetize their videos and brand?

We spoke to one influencer, Laura Whaley, aka , who has nearly 4 million followers on the app, to learn how she went from a job in IT to working with brands like Canva, Norton, Amazon and more to share workplace-related tips.

We spoke to Laura Whaley, who has nearly 4 million followers on TikTok, to hear how she went from a job in IT to landing brand deals.

26/01/2024

Everyone signs a physical contract when starting a new job, but there’s another undefined list of terms they’re also signing onto. It’s called a psychological contract, and in the workplace it’s essentially an unspoken agreement between employees and employers addressing what they owe each other.

At the most basic level, employers are promising workers they’ll get paid, benefits and some kind of support to help them do their jobs, while employees are promising their employers they’ll give their time and labor and follow their workplace’s norms. But of course it often goes deeper, and only works when both sides are aware of – and in agreement on – these unspoken rules, and when both sides think it’s a fair and equal deal.

It’s an unspoken agreement between staff and employers addressing what they owe each other, and comes alongside shifting concepts of loyalty.

25/01/2024

If you’re not sure exactly what’s expected of you at work, you’re not alone. Fewer workers today than even a couple years ago are able to say their roles and responsibilities on the job are clear, according to a recent report from Gallup based on survey responses from about 20,000 U.S. workers.

Fewer workers today than a couple years ago are able to say their roles and responsibilities on the job are clear, new data finds.

25/01/2024

Workforce intelligence company Revelio Labs found in their workforce data that student athletes experience faster salary and seniority growth in the five years after graduation compared to their non-athlete peers. But why?

Student athletes saw a 60% increase in salary growth compared to non-athletes who only saw a 45.3% increase.

24/01/2024

Well-being washing is a concept identified in the corporate world where employers promote wellness benefits to new hires but neglect to make sure all their staff know they’re available. But these new findings go beyond that, suggesting even when staff are aware of certain offerings and choose to participate in them, they still aren’t helpful. In the U.S. nearly 40% of employers plan to increase spending on well-being programs in 2024, according to a report from NFP, an employer benefits firm.

One well-being program that did have a slightly positive impact on workers in the study was participating in charity and volunteer programs.

24/01/2024

Individual mentorships are out, personal boardrooms are in. Having a mentor is beneficial, but it doesn’t need to be limited to one person. Just as reverse mentorship widened the traditional definition beyond the typical age parameters, now the concept of creating one’s own personal board of directors is on the rise.

With this approach, an individual has a group of people that they can rely on for mentorship and career advice.

23/01/2024

More workers, especially in tech, fear they will get laid off. Google already cut hundreds of jobs this year, and its CEO announced in an internal memo to expect more cuts in 2024. Meanwhile, over 80% of workers across industries fear they’ll lose their jobs this year, according to a survey of 1,900 U.S. workers from online resume builder Myperfectresume.

All of this is spurring more questions for workers around how their performance is taken into account during layoffs, and whether some companies are engaging in “quiet cutting” — or making their jobs harder (and then downright miserable) so they’ll leave on their own. Experts and tech workers online say performance improvement plans are one tool companies use to quietly cut workers when the organization is struggling.

Some workplace experts and tech workers online say PIPS are one tool companies use to quietly squeeze out workers.

23/01/2024

The headlines make Gen Z seem like they are obsessed with the idea of being their own boss, investing in side hustles, and paving their own paths. But does this cohort actually want to be entrepreneurs? Or is it their only path to success and decent pay?

New data from StandOutCV, which analyzed nearly 18,000 job advertisements, found that almost two in five “entry-level” jobs are demanding years of experience. According to the research, “entry-level” actually means 2.5 years of experience. And, then there’s the “big stay” happening, where people are staying in their roles for longer. The rate of people quitting their jobs fell to 2.4% in 2023.

When entry-level jobs require two years of experience, what are Gen Zers supposed to do to forge their own paths?

22/01/2024

Workers complete the fewest amount of tasks in January (7.2%) while they complete the highest amount in October (9.5%) according to an analysis of user data from Redbooth, a project management software company. And it doesn’t pick up much in February — the second least productive month, that report found. But slower work months present an opportunity for workers to shift their perspectives and reset priorities and goals they hope to achieve in the coming months, with limited external factors now getting in the way.

Slower periods present an opportunity to shift perspectives and reset priorities with limited external factors now getting in the way.

19/01/2024

Erin Throlopolis, aka Corporate Erin, is a manager for managerial managers at managers of McMGMT.

She’s a fictional character, but that corporate mumbo jumbo is exactly what she pokes fun at daily through her TikTok account which has amassed over 300,000 followers.

The part is played by Lisa Beasley, a seasoned comedian based out of Chicago who has graced stages online and in person for many years now. Her character Corporate Erin has resonated with people who are all too familiar with desk jobs at employers that give you a hard time about taking PTO, want you in the office, and send emails regularly with language including “circle back.” Beasley is writing a book about the impact corporate lingo can have and plans to take a diversity, equity and inclusion-focused role in the near future.

We spoke to Beasley, who replied in character as Corporate Erin, to get her take on the latest trends impacting the workplace.

In this satirical Q+A with Corporate Erin, we find out Erin’s thoughts about the latest trends impacting the workplace.

18/01/2024

“How would I feel if I woke up tomorrow and this made the front page news?”

It seems like a hypothetical question, but the reality is that employees are taking to social media to share their experiences around being laid off, which might be today’s version of being on the front page news. Last week former Cloudflare employee Brittany Pietsch took to TikTok to post a nearly 10-minute-long video of her being laid off. The video went viral on the app because of how she repeatedly asked the two execs who were informing her that she was being let go, to justify why she was part of the layoffs.

Young professionals are taking to social media to show the behind-the-scenes of them being laid off, including their initial reflections.

17/01/2024

Some 56% of managers said they are fully responsible for managing and resolving team conflicts – whether or not they feel prepared to do so, found a Gartner survey of over 3,000 managers from around the world taken last year.

Most managers aren’t properly trained in de-escalating and resolving conflicts on their teams. Those in HR roles are typically more experienced, but bringing in HR often only escalates the situation, experts say. Managers will have to get better equipped as the skill becomes essential for them to run functioning teams, and as personal viewpoints around political and social issues continue becoming more polarized and harder to keep out of workplaces.

More than half of managers say solving disputes on their teams are entirely their responsibility, whether or not they feel equipped to do so.

16/01/2024

This year, outstanding leadership was characterized by empathy, intentional listening and fostering belonging. In unpredictable times, employees as a whole desired some stability and security within their workplaces. The companies that stood out advocated for a positive impact on their lives via several initiatives, from more innovative cultures and hybrid work environments to solid efforts toward effective DE&I and wellness programs.

This year, outstanding leadership was characterized by empathy, intentional listening and fostering belonging. In unpredictable times, employees as a whole desired some stability and security within their workplaces. The companies that stood out advocated for a positive impact on their lives via sev...

16/01/2024

Since the pandemic, we all default to video over phone calls. But some are nostalgic for phone calls, and at times it can make more sense to speak via phone rather than video in the hybrid workforce.

Experts explain when it makes more sense to have a phone call instead of video and vice versa in the hybrid workforce.

15/01/2024

Some 56% of managers say it's a “major red flag” when employees are enthusiastically against returning to in-person work in a new survey. That means those who are against returning are having to do a delicate dance.

Some 56% of managers say it's a “major red flag” when employees are enthusiastically against returning to in-person work in a new survey.

12/01/2024

It will be a busy year for anyone tasked with tracking new privacy laws or proposed legislation on an international, national and state level — compounded by rules related to other issues like AI and antitrust.

10/01/2024

More hybrid and remote work has led employees to demand more from employers as they look for ways to prioritize their well-being. Sponsored by BetterMe.

Employees are demanding more than traditional benefits as they look to prioritize their well-being further. And yes building a program that makes every employee feel included is challenging.

10/01/2024

Gen Z workers are expected to haggle with bosses over pay, flexibility and ultimately how their time is spent outside of work. But how much should employers listen?

Gen Z workers are expected to haggle with bosses over pay, flexibility and ultimately how their time is spent outside of work.

09/01/2024

We’re used to celebrating traditional milestones such as birthdays, weddings and getting a new job. But our causes for celebrating have grown to include some unorthodox, some might even say best-not-remembered moments.

Like getting a pink slip.

Becoming redundant is, naturally, a terrible experience for most people who have experienced it. But as others opt to see it, it’s cause to celebrate. Why, they figure, not mark the occasion by popping open a few bottles of Prosecco with your besties?

Becoming redundant can be a terrible experience but some are choosing to put a positive spin on it and hosting redundancy parties.

09/01/2024

Showing up at work while dealing with a family bereavement or other traumatic life event at the same time, can be a soul-crushing experience. Now, more laws are beginning to acknowledge that and ensure employers enforce better paid-leave policies to support employees. At least in some states.

Illinois and Minnesota are leading the charge, having rolled out clear rules for the exact amount of time employees can take off and whether they’ll be paid or not when dealing with a death in the family, and a range of other, often traumatic, life events. New laws went into effect Jan. 1 in those states.

Employers have their own bereavement leave policies, typically giving staff just three to five days off to deal with a family members death.

08/01/2024

So much happened last year in the world of work that for many professionals, much of 2023 felt like being stuck in a revolving door of endless unsettling changes. From abrupt return-to-office demands from employers, mass layoffs, budget cuts, organizational restructuring, and the unforeseen challenges of managing hybrid teams, to the arrival of generative artificial intelligence, the proverbial (and in many cases literal) temple vein of most employees was kept pulsating at a steady clip throughout 2023.

But there were also many positives gained, and some solid lessons learned that will assist us all as we embrace what 2024 will usher into modern workplaces.

We spoke with a wide range of experts to recap some of the milestone moments that shaped 2023 in the world of work, and to hear how those will influence and evolve how we work in 2024.

Much of 2023 felt like being stuck in a revolving door of endless unsettling changes for most professionals. But solid lessons were learned.

08/01/2024

If you’ve been on the work side of TikTok, you’ve probably come across different accounts that are poking fun at the corporate world through different skits that are all too familiar for those working 9 to 5s.

On the app, has 30.6 billion views, from content that ranges from day-in-the-life depictions to videos about work dramas and hilarious coworkers. has an additional 2.4 billion views, and has 4.9 billion views. Between each of those hashtags, creators are rising to the surface and taking advantage of the reliability of the content that can be made in this sector.

Corporate Erin, Corporate Natalie and Corporate Brian are taking over with skits poking fun at desk jobs.

05/01/2024

Performance review season is officially done for many workers who may, or may not, have gotten the raises and promotions they wished to receive. And while expectations around getting to the next level and opportunities to do so can vary greatly by industry, recent data shows many people across job levels can work for several years in the same role without ever moving up.

Many people across job levels and industries can work for several years in the same role without ever getting promoted, new data shows.

04/01/2024

2024 will be a big year for workplace legislation. Last year, there was notable legislation enacted around artificial intelligence in New York City and more states hopped on the regulatory bandwagon to pass salary transparency laws, as examples. But 2024 is set to hold even more legislative updates that will have a direct impact on the way we work. And employers will need to ensure they’re on top of the changes, to stay compliant.

We created a roundup of what’s on the horizon this year and talked to experts to better understand why these laws matter for work life.

We created a roundup of what’s on the horizon this year and talked to experts to better understand why these laws matter for work life.

03/01/2024

Investing in inclusive well-being programs yields substantial returns regarding productivity, retention and overall performance. Sponsored by BetterMe.

Employees are demanding more than traditional benefits as they look to prioritize their well-being further. And yes building a program that makes every employee feel included is challenging.

03/01/2024

The RTO battles should really be over in 2024 — hybrid has won the war. Instead, employers will likely shift their focus to how their teams achieve the best performance when they are physically together on site, as well as when they’re apart. And there is plenty to still be worked out.

Employers will shift focus to how their teams achieve the best performance when they are physically together on site in 2024.

03/01/2024

Just 20% of surveyed managers strongly agree that their organizations help them be successful people managers. We take a look at how middle managers need better support in 2024, to ensure their teams flourish.

Just 20 percent of surveyed managers strongly agree that their organizations help them be successful people managers.

02/01/2024

The fear-mongering around AI taking everyone’s jobs, shaky economic markets, and layoffs that we have seen so much of in 2023, will make way for some new trends next year as we adapt to the new work reality. We’ve taken a look at what’s changed in WorkLife’s guide to what will be in next year, and what will be out.

WorkLife has taken a look at what work trends will be in for 2024 and what will be out, in our definitive guide.

02/01/2024

Last year the Great Resignation left many employers to deal with sky-high turnover as the rate of workers quitting their jobs peaked, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over the past six months though, that staff churn has settled, returning to pre-pandemic levels. And with fewer (and less appealing) job opportunities elsewhere, workers are expected to stay put in the roles they have for much longer through 2024.

The Big Stay part 2, generative AI in the hiring process and flexibility as an increasingly enticing benefit are some key ones for next year.