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Employers regain upper hand amid return-to-office mandates
As firms clamp down on remote-work policies, reduce benefits and cut travel budgets, the Wall Street Journal argues that there has been a shift in leverage toward employers post-pandemic. The report quotes Michael Gibbs, a professor of economics at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, who says: “Firms are trying to reset expectations”…
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Apple stands firm on diversity policies
Apple’s board has urged shareholders to reject a proposal from the National Center for Public Policy Research to eliminate its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes. The board, including CEO Tim Cook, said: “The proposal is unnecessary as Apple already has a well-established compliance program,” saying that it would restrict the company’s operational management. The…
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US labor agency calls for Google to bargain with worker union
The National Labor Relations Board has claimed that Alphabet’s Google, as an employer of contract workers, must bargain with the union representing these employees. Board spokeswoman Kayla Blado said a probe is also underway into a complaint that Google and recruiter Accenture Flex changed working conditions without bargaining first. Should Google be found to be…
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Trump’s return sees social media giant change course on censorship
Social media firm Meta Platforms, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, is making concessions ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s return to office by doing away with its fact-checking program and reduced regulation of discussions around certain topics. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said: “We’ve reached a point where it’s just too many mistakes and too much…
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JPMorgan Chase orders staff back to office
JPMorgan Chase is set to enforce a return to the office for all staff five days a week, marking a significant shift from the hybrid working policies adopted during the pandemic. With over 300,000 employees globally, the bank’s chief executive, Jamie Dimon, has been a strong opponent of remote work. The new policy, which will…
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McDonald’s shifts diversity strategy
McDonald’s has announced a significant shift in its diversity practices following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling against affirmative action in college admissions. The fast-food giant plans to retire specific diversity goals for senior leadership and will discontinue a program aimed at enhancing diversity training among its suppliers. In an open letter, McDonald’s senior leadership…
