💼📈👩🏽‍💼 Job Market and Workplace Trends

What is the current unemployment rate in the US?

We don't have the current unemployment rate in the US yet as the Labor Department is set to release the May payroll and wage data on Friday, June 2, 2023. However, the jobs report is expected to show that unemployment remains historically low.

What are 'back-up careers'?

'Back-up careers' are alternative career options that workers have in a more stable industry, to which they can pivot if their primary career plan doesn't work out. These alternative careers are generally in industries with plenty of jobs and security, and they meet people's need to feel secure and confident to pursue less traditional careers. However, pursuing a new career often requires retraining or re-education, which takes time and money, and current economic conditions are making these additional costs more difficult to shoulder.

What is an 'office baddie'?

An 'office baddie' is a person who gets paid a "bomb salary" to sit around and do practically nothing at their office job. They get to take breaks whenever they want and talk to no one. This term was coined by a TikToker named Dani who went viral after bragging about her "lazy girl office job".

What is Meta and why are they asking office workers to return to in-person work?

• Meta is the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
• They are asking employees currently assigned to an office to return to in-person work three days a week starting September 5.
• Meta employees who are designated as remote workers will be allowed to keep their remote status.
• The CEO of Meta, Mark Zuckerberg, hinted at the policy change in a March blog post, stating that engineers who joined Meta in-person performed better on average than those who joined remotely.
• Meta's updated policy is not set in stone, and they are committed to continuously refining their model to foster collaboration, relationships, and culture necessary for employees to do their best work.

What is causing LGBTQ+ workers to quit their jobs?

LGBTQ+ workers are quitting their jobs due to workplace discrimination or harassment based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Half of LGBTQ+ and “sexual and gender diverse” people surveyed by the Center for American Progress (Cap) in 2022 reported experiencing some form of workplace discrimination or harassment in the past year because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The number jumped to 70% for transgender respondents. A 2021 study by the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law and Public Policy showed that more than one-third of LGBTQ+ employees said they have left a job during their lifetime because of how they were treated by their employer based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Discrimination can take a toll on LGBTQ+ workers, and even have knock-on effects for employers.

Why are pottery workshops becoming more popular?

Pottery workshops are becoming more popular because people are seeking to connect with others through the craft. The Penland School of Craft in North Carolina and Seagrove, which has one of the highest concentrations of working potters in the country, are among the places where people are drawn to pottery workshops. The Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts in Montana is also experiencing increased interest in contemporary clay work. The pandemic seems to have erased the boundary between art and craft, leading to an expanding number of artists, galleries, and museums embracing clay work.

How can micromanagers be identified during interviews?

• Ask direct questions about their management style and expectations, such as "What are your expectations?" and "How do you prefer to communicate with your team?"
• Listen to the language they use in their responses, such as whether they use "we" or "you" when describing tasks you will be responsible for. Using "we" might indicate over-involvement.
• Note the level of specific details they focus on when discussing your resume and application, or comments that indicate they did a lot of digging beyond what you submitted. This may indicate a tendency towards micromanagement.
• Ask about your predecessor and speak to current and former employees to get a fuller picture.
• If they don't answer your questions or seem put off at having to explain their management style and expectations, that in itself is an answer: they may not appreciate being questioned or haven't put much thought into their own management style.