As the saying goes, the news never stops. In this weekly news roundup, we’ll cover the top news stories impacting inclusion for women, Indigenous peoples, and remote workers.
1. Women in the C-Suite Reach All-Time Peak, but Equity Gap Remains
Research from McKinsey & Company and LeanIn’s Women in the Workplace 2023 report shows the representation of women in the C-suite is the highest it has ever been.
While progress has been made, women of color are still underrepresented in C-suite roles.
The number of women in the C-suite increased from 17% in 2015 to 28% in 2023. Women of color only make up 6%. White men account for 57% of the C-suite and men of color 15%.
2. Columbus Day: States Shift Away from Traditional Observance
Columbus Day, observed on the second Monday in October, is one of the most inconsistently celebrated holidays in the United States.
While it is an official federal holiday, meaning there is no mail delivery and federal workers get a paid day off, its observance varies significantly depending on where you live and who you work for.
According to the Pew Research Center, only 16 states and the territory of American Samoa exclusively observe the second Monday in October as Columbus Day.
Instead, some states have renamed it Indigenous Peoples’ Day, including Maine, New Mexico, Vermont and Washington, D.C.
Visit Fair360 to learn more about Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
3. US Economy Added 336,000 Jobs in September
The latest jobs report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the American economy added 336,000 jobs in September, the highest number since January. Payrolls were double the median estimate predicted in a Bloomberg survey.
The unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.8%. Wages rose 0.2% from August and increased by 4.2% over the previous 12 months.
4. Workplace Well-being Linked to Corporate Inclusion, Most Powerful Women in Banking Research Finds
Research presented at American Banker’s Most Powerful Women in Banking conference reveals that corporate equity and inclusion initiatives can help employees feel more positive about their workplaces.
The research, which was presented by American Banker’s parent company Arizent, also states that employees described their employers as toxic when senior management did not prioritize an inclusive environment.
Workers were instead more likely to say they had a healthy work environment when senior management was committed to inclusion.
5. ‘Coffee Badging’ Trend Allows Employees to Blend Office and Home
While some companies require workers to return to the office, that doesn’t mean employees work their entire shift at home.
In a new trend coined “coffee badging,” employees go into the office for a few hours and then go home.
According to an article from CNBC, they may catch up with colleagues in person and then finish their workday from home.
