As the saying goes, the news never stops. In this weekly news roundup, we’ll cover the top news stories impacting American workplaces and communities.
1. Career Advisors Caution Against Rage Applying
The practice of “rage applying,” or applying for numerous job listings out of frustration with a current job, has become a common phenomenon, particularly on social media.
However, according to Time, career advisors caution against this approach as it may not lead to finding a job that truly meets one’s needs.
Instead, they recommend taking a more strategic approach when considering a job change. This includes talking to one’s current employer about needs and concerns, prioritizing what one truly wants in a job, tailoring job applications to specific positions, networking to explore potential opportunities, and considering learning new skills to enhance job prospects.
The key is to be mindful of long-term career goals and intentions rather than reacting impulsively out of frustration.
Read more about other workplace buzzwords, such as quiet quitting, quiet hiring and conscious quitting.
2. Tech Layoffs During Leave: Employees Face Uncertain Future Amid Legally Permissible Job Sabbaticals
Stories of employees being laid off while on medical or parental leave have been on the rise, with recent layoffs in the tech and media industries. While it may be legal to lay off an employee on leave, there are certain requirements that employers must meet.
According to labor and employment attorneys who spoke with NPR, there must be a legitimate, non-retaliatory reason based on business needs for the layoff, and the employee on leave must be treated the same as if they were working as usual. Some companies may wait until the end of an employee’s leave to implement a layoff, either to give the employee extra time to recover or to avoid a costly legal battle.
For employees who find themselves laid off while on parental or medical leave, advice from those who have experienced similar situations includes understanding their legal rights, seeking support from colleagues and networks, exploring options for contract work or part-time roles during recovery and taking care of their physical and mental health. Despite the challenges, some employees may find new opportunities or even use the experience as a catalyst for making positive changes in their career paths.
Subscribe to Fair360 Enterprise to read these related articles on tech layoffs and prioritizing the health and well-being of pregnant workers.
3. Biden Announces Funding for Autism Research
Last week, President Joe Biden proclaimed April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day.
He discussed the more than 5.4 million adults who have autism in the U.S. and how people with this developmental disability face obstacles when it comes to healthcare, education, housing and seeking employment.
In response to this, Biden announced that his administration is funding research for earlier diagnosis and providing resources for their well-being.
The American Rescue Plan has allocated $25 billion to states to facilitate home-based care for people with disabilities, including autism. Additionally, new tools and strategies have been implemented to help disabled Americans find stable housing, manage rent payments and prevent homelessness.
Read more from Fair360, formerly DiversityInc on how the Autism Society of America, which founded Autism Awareness Month in 1970, officially changed the name to Autism Acceptance Month in 2021.
4. Walmart to Create US EV Charging Network by 2030
Walmart (No. 26 on Fair360, formerly DiversityInc’s 2022 Top 50 Companies for Diversity list) plans to build its own network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for public use in the United States by 2030.
The fast-charging stations will be located at thousands of Walmart and Sam’s Club stores. This is in addition to the nearly 1,300 stations already operated through a deal with Electrify America.
Walmart’s extensive store network, with over 5,000 locations within 10 miles of about 90% of Americans, provides a unique opportunity to address range anxiety and charging reliability issues associated with EV adoption.
Vishal Kapadia, Walmart’s Senior Vice President of Energy Transformation, said in a statement to Reuters that the company’s strategy of building its own charging stations entails less risk and allows for a more competitive experience and pricing compared to relying on third-party providers.
The move comes as the adoption of EVs in the U.S. is increasing due to factors such as high gas prices, state subsidies and more affordable EV models.
Visit Fair360, formerly DiversityInc’s sustainability section for more environmental, social and governance (ESG) news.
5. Research Shows Women in Sports Administration Face Inclusion Challenges
Research from McKinsey & Company reveals that women in sports administration face lower levels of inclusion across all dimensions compared to women in other industries.
Only about 40% of women surveyed agreed that their organizations are fair. Women often experience being the only person of their gender or racial identity at work, leading to more microaggressions.
Women in sports administration are also less likely to have sponsors who can advocate for their careers within their organizations. Many feel they need to leave their organizations to achieve their career goals.
The research suggests that creating more inclusive work environments in sports organizations is crucial for everyone to flourish, which can be done by debiasing people processes, building leaders’ mentorship and sponsorship capabilities and hiring and retaining more diverse employees.
To read more about women’s barriers in sports, subscribe to Fair360 Enterprise.
