In Severance, Office Perks Couldn't Be More Sinister
(theoffcut.substack.com)
There's no such thing as a free (work) lunch.
There's no such thing as a free (work) lunch.
"At Our Companies, Employees Just Disappear"
(slate.com)
Few people are as knee-deep in our work-related anxieties and sticky office politics as Alison Green, who has been fielding workplace questions for a decade now on her website Ask a Manager. In Direct Report, she spotlights themes from her inbox that help explain the modern workplace and how we could be navigating it better.
Few people are as knee-deep in our work-related anxieties and sticky office politics as Alison Green, who has been fielding workplace questions for a decade now on her website Ask a Manager. In Direct Report, she spotlights themes from her inbox that help explain the modern workplace and how we could be navigating it better.
Techie pointed out meetings are pointless, and was punished for it
(theregister.com)
When asked to offer honest feedback, maybe pause to ponder how well you play office politics
When asked to offer honest feedback, maybe pause to ponder how well you play office politics
It's a knowledge problem Or is it?
(josvisser.substack.com)
Many years ago, Google apparently decided that the engineers in the Zürich office were getting too fat so they hired a nutritionist.
Many years ago, Google apparently decided that the engineers in the Zürich office were getting too fat so they hired a nutritionist.
The Cost of Being Invisible: Dis-Inclusion's Toll on Neurodivergent Employees
(workdesign.com)
Imagine walking into a workplace every day where you feel unseen, not because you lack talent, drive or value, but because the environment isn’t designed with you in mind.
Imagine walking into a workplace every day where you feel unseen, not because you lack talent, drive or value, but because the environment isn’t designed with you in mind.
Most workers (75%) end up leaving before ever being promoted
(fortune.com)
Employees who don't feel that they're advancing in their careers are more likely to leave.
Employees who don't feel that they're advancing in their careers are more likely to leave.
Quiet Quitting: Why Employees Are Demanding Fairness and Boundaries
(forbes.com)
The response to my recent article on why soft quitting at work could be more dangerous than quiet quitting has been overwhelming. Readers passionately shared their thoughts, frustrations, and personal experiences, sparking a crucial conversation about what quiet quitting really means for employees and organizations. Many agreed that the term misrepresents what is often a rational response to systemic issues in the workplace.
The response to my recent article on why soft quitting at work could be more dangerous than quiet quitting has been overwhelming. Readers passionately shared their thoughts, frustrations, and personal experiences, sparking a crucial conversation about what quiet quitting really means for employees and organizations. Many agreed that the term misrepresents what is often a rational response to systemic issues in the workplace.
Zuckerberg thinks workplaces need to 'man up' − why that's bad for all employees
(theconversation.com)
When Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg appeared on a Jan. 10, 2025, episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” he lamented that corporate culture had become too “feminine,” suppressing its “masculine energy” and abandoning supposedly valuable traits such as aggression.
When Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg appeared on a Jan. 10, 2025, episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” he lamented that corporate culture had become too “feminine,” suppressing its “masculine energy” and abandoning supposedly valuable traits such as aggression.
U.S. Employee Engagement Sinks to 10-Year Low
(gallup.com)
Employee engagement in the U.S. fell to its lowest level in a decade in 2024, with only 31% of employees engaged.
Employee engagement in the U.S. fell to its lowest level in a decade in 2024, with only 31% of employees engaged.
Employees are bypassing HR, sharing on LinkedIn
(businessinsider.com)
Fed up with company processes, people are reporting their horrible bosses on social media
Fed up with company processes, people are reporting their horrible bosses on social media
"Oh shit, my career " shouted one of the interns
(seatsafetyswitch.com)
“Oh shit, my career!” shouted one of the interns in the bullpen when it becomes obvious immediately what had happened. Yes, Justin. You had now learned a new and uncomfortable truth about working for the Man, and your working life will never be the same again. And it all started because he didn’t follow the mandatory security training that every employee needs to click through while half-paying attention.
“Oh shit, my career!” shouted one of the interns in the bullpen when it becomes obvious immediately what had happened. Yes, Justin. You had now learned a new and uncomfortable truth about working for the Man, and your working life will never be the same again. And it all started because he didn’t follow the mandatory security training that every employee needs to click through while half-paying attention.
The Power of Small Acts of Inclusion
(hbr.org)
It matters when employees have a strong sense of belonging, or feel like they fit at a company: They’re more engaged, innovative, and productive.
It matters when employees have a strong sense of belonging, or feel like they fit at a company: They’re more engaged, innovative, and productive.
Out-of-office emails are getting a refresh – employees set work-life boundaries
(cbc.ca)
Rather than a copy-and-paste message, employees have given the humble out-of-office reply a revamp.
Rather than a copy-and-paste message, employees have given the humble out-of-office reply a revamp.
Startup Conducts Survey on Stress Among Employees, Fires Those Who Were Stressed
(officechai.com)
Indian companies have been laying off employees in large numbers over the last few quarters, but they seem to be getting increasingly creative in finding out which employees to let go.
Indian companies have been laying off employees in large numbers over the last few quarters, but they seem to be getting increasingly creative in finding out which employees to let go.
Grifters, Believers, Grinders, and Coasters
(seangoedecke.com)
Why do engineers get mad at each other so often?
Why do engineers get mad at each other so often?
A Viral Google Doc Experiment During Google Layoffs
(le-brun.eu)
January 2023 was a chaotic month inside Google. Without warning, the company announced 12,000 layoffs—roughly 6% of its global workforce. Panic set in as employees woke up to find their access suddenly revoked. There were stories of people discovering their fate while on parental leave, others mid-project, or even while on-call. Overnight, the atmosphere shifted from business-as-usual to fear and uncertainty.
January 2023 was a chaotic month inside Google. Without warning, the company announced 12,000 layoffs—roughly 6% of its global workforce. Panic set in as employees woke up to find their access suddenly revoked. There were stories of people discovering their fate while on parental leave, others mid-project, or even while on-call. Overnight, the atmosphere shifted from business-as-usual to fear and uncertainty.
Ask HN: What is it with this hate and disdain for interns/junior engineers?
(ycombinator.com)
Some examples of this that I have seen so often:<p>No openings for interns or junior engineers, yet the companies and people I talk with, the senior engineers get sick often, lack drive and take longer PTO and their work isn't really that adequate.<p>Blaming interns or junior engineers for simple mistakes, which the senior which also should have seen.<p>Not training interns or junior engineers to become senior and be given more responsibility, I'm assuming we are all aware of the bus
Some examples of this that I have seen so often:<p>No openings for interns or junior engineers, yet the companies and people I talk with, the senior engineers get sick often, lack drive and take longer PTO and their work isn't really that adequate.<p>Blaming interns or junior engineers for simple mistakes, which the senior which also should have seen.<p>Not training interns or junior engineers to become senior and be given more responsibility, I'm assuming we are all aware of the bus
Executives and Research Disagree About Hybrid Work. Why?
(nytimes.com)
Amazon’s C.E.O., Andy Jassy, made waves last month when he demanded that all employees return to the office five days a week.
Amazon’s C.E.O., Andy Jassy, made waves last month when he demanded that all employees return to the office five days a week.
Google won't be mandating a strict return-to-office plan
(entrepreneur.com)
Google won't be mandating a strict return-to-office plan, according to company leaders.
Google won't be mandating a strict return-to-office plan, according to company leaders.
Remote Work Was to Reshape the Political and Social Landscape. What Happened?
(joanwestenberg.com)
The remote work experiment proved we don’t need to be in an office to succeed—so why are we still being dragged back to our desks?
The remote work experiment proved we don’t need to be in an office to succeed—so why are we still being dragged back to our desks?
91% of polled Amazon staff unhappy with RTO, 3-in-4 want to jump ship
(theregister.com)
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy last week sent a memo to staff informing them everyone is now expected in the office five days a week from the start of next year, and a poll of staff suggests this hasn't gone down well.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy last week sent a memo to staff informing them everyone is now expected in the office five days a week from the start of next year, and a poll of staff suggests this hasn't gone down well.
Most Amazon workers considering job hunting due to 5-day in-office policy: Poll
(arstechnica.com)
An overwhelming majority of Amazon employees are “dissatisfied” with Amazon killing remote work and requiring them to be in the office five days a week next year.
An overwhelming majority of Amazon employees are “dissatisfied” with Amazon killing remote work and requiring them to be in the office five days a week next year.
Conscious unbossing: why Gen Z are refusing to become managers
(theguardian.com)
Research has found more than half of British young professionals do not want to take on a middle-management position. And who can blame them?
Research has found more than half of British young professionals do not want to take on a middle-management position. And who can blame them?
The war on remote work has nothing to do with productivity
(the-sentinel-intelligence.com)
Every year, CEOs demand more employees return to the office. Mainstream news outlets run stories calling remote workers lazy.
Every year, CEOs demand more employees return to the office. Mainstream news outlets run stories calling remote workers lazy.
Ask HN: How do you feel about the 'Do you have a best friend at work' question?
(ycombinator.com)
Gallop has one of the best-known employee engagement surveys, known as the Q12. It asks 12 questions, and one of them is, "Do you have a best friend at work?"
Gallop has one of the best-known employee engagement surveys, known as the Q12. It asks 12 questions, and one of them is, "Do you have a best friend at work?"
Amazon says workers need to be in the office. Most of Silicon Valley disagrees
(ft.com)
Amazon says workers need to be in the office. Most of Silicon Valley disagrees.
Amazon says workers need to be in the office. Most of Silicon Valley disagrees.
Responding to work emails after hours contributes to burnout, hostility
(theconversation.com)
Responding to work emails after hours contributes to burnout, hostility
Responding to work emails after hours contributes to burnout, hostility