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- Is a 4-day workweek coming? Bernie Sanders is trying.
Is a 4-day workweek coming? Bernie Sanders is trying.
Has the tech layoff bleeding stopped? 7-day AI email course. AI usage in the workplace is way up.
-THIS WEEK-
While the world searches for Princess Kate 👸🏻, we’re all over here searching for employment. This week we’ll dive into tech layoffs slowing, Sen. Bernie pushing for a shorter workweek, and then leave you with some job seeker tools that’ll help you step up your game.
-THE LAYOFF REPORT-
📉 Has the bleeding stopped?
2024 started off explosively with dozens of tech companies deploying new rounds of large layoffs. In January alone, there were 34,000+ tech employees let go from 121 different companies. However, February passed and those monthly numbers were cut in half. Here we are more than halfway through March, and the the trajectory of those numbers have dropped more than 90%. Any week that it’s hard fill in the ‘Notable Layoffs’ section, it’s a solid signal that companies are nearing the lean stature that they’ve been pursuing the last 2 years.
Tech layoffs in 2022-2024
Notable Layoffs this Week
Unilever is spinning off its ice cream businesses, which includes brands like Ben & Jerry's, and laying off 7,500 employees, The Financial Times reports.
'Abrupt, Uncoordinated Wind-Down': Popular Employee Rewards Company Blueboard Shutters, reports KQED
Orbotech laying off over 100 employees after closing flat panel display division
-HEADLINES-
📰 Bernie Sanders pushing for an official 4-day workweek
Amidst the shifts that AI is bringing, Washington is all abuzz with the four-day workweek. Senator Bernie Sanders is stirring the pot with a new bill proposing a 32-hour workweek as the standard in the U.S. Though it's facing a tough battle in the current political climate, the idea is igniting some serious conversations about work-life balance and the future of work in an era dominated by technology and AI. Imagine the possibilities for productivity and job satisfaction, especially in the tech sector where changes happen at lightning speed.
Companies like Kickstarter have already jumped on board, showcasing the positive impacts of a shorter workweek, from enhanced focus to a better balance between personal and professional life. With tech leading the way in adopting AI and automation, this shift could significantly alter how we define a workweek. Research backs up the move, suggesting that a shorter workweek could lead to less burnout, reduced absenteeism, and a more energized workforce. The push towards this change is seen not as a rebellion against corporate norms but as a stride towards a more balanced, productive work environment.
Key takeaways:
A 32-hour workweek could become a reality in the U.S., changing the landscape of work as we know it.
The tech industry, already at the forefront of adopting AI and automation, might lead the charge in implementing shorter workweeks.
Early adopters of the four-day workweek, like Kickstarter, report increased productivity and better work-life balance.
Research suggests that a shorter workweek could reduce burnout and absenteeism, potentially creating a healthier work environment.
The push for a four-day workweek is not seen as anti-corporate but as a move towards a more balanced, focused workforce.
Actionable Next Steps:
AI is presenting the strongest case for shortening work weeks as it helps empower employees to be more efficient with many daily tasks. With that said, don’t be caught with without a basic understanding of how AI can empower your role.
Sign up for a free ChatGPT account and just start playing around. Getting familiar with generative AI will provide valuable insight into how parts of your job will eventually be phased out.
Sign up for AI newsletters such as The Rundown or Ben’s Bites to stay in the know of the latest developments so you can plan accordingly.
Check out Peter Yang’s free AI course that we spotlight down below 👇
-TOOL SPOTLIGHT-
7 Days of AI by Peter Yang
Peter Yang has 10+ years leading product teams at Meta, Amazon, Reddit, and Roblox. He’s created valuable PM content through best-selling books, Twitter & LinkedIn content, and his weekly newsletter, Creator Economy.
Now, he’s created a free 7-day guide that has everything you need to use AI to create better content, save time, and improve your daily life. Below is a breakdown of what the guide will go over.
Day 1. How Large Language Models (LLMs) Actually Work
Day 2. 3 Essential Tips to Level Up Your AI Prompts
Day 3. How to Build Your Personal AI Writing Assistant
Day 4. How to Create GPTs to Do Your Work for You
Day 5. My Favorite AI Tools to Create Images, Videos, and More
Day 6. 5 Ways to Use AI to Improve Your Everyday Life
Day 7. How Product Teams at Top Companies Build AI Products
As mentioned above, no matter what your role in tech is, it will be affected by AI and you don’t want to get caught not having the foresight to see how you should be preparing.
-JOB MARKET DATA & TRENDS-
📊 AI tool usage in the workplace is up 24% last quarter
The digital grapevine - courtesy of Slack's Workforce Lab - is abuzz with news that AI tool usage in the workplace has jumped a whopping 24% in the last quarter. It’s like everyone suddenly decided to bring an AI buddy to the office. And why not? These smart assistants are turning the productivity dial way up.
Key Takeaways:
The landscape of AI in work settings has seen a notable jump, with a quarter of desk employees now utilizing AI tools, up from 20% just a few months earlier. This growth underscores a shift towards embracing digital aids in daily tasks as of January 2024.
A significant 80% of AI adopters acknowledge a boost in productivity, thanks to these technologies. However, feelings about AI's role in the workplace are mixed: 42% welcome it, 31% remain undecided, and 27% express concerns.
The push for AI integration is felt at the top, with almost every executive feeling the heat to incorporate AI into their operations. A striking 50% report a pressing need to adopt AI tools swiftly.
A fascinating correlation exists between AI experimentation and company policy: employees at organizations with clear AI usage guidelines are nearly six times more likely to explore AI tools than those at companies without such policies.
Desk workers estimate that 41% of their time is consumed by tasks that don't significantly contribute to their main job responsibilities. This statistic points to a vast potential for AI and automation to shift focus from mundane tasks to those that add more value.
As AI technologies find their place in our workspaces, we're on the verge of a workplace revolution. It's about moving away from the mundane and towards tasks that make us think, 'Yes, I really made a difference today!' It's an exciting time to see how we can all focus more on the work that inspires us and less on the stuff that just fills our time.
-FEATURED PARTNER-
YourNegotiations - Increase your salary offer by 5-6 figures
Did you know that you might be losing significant job salary negotiation leverage in your initial screening call with a recruiter?
Gerta and Alex did. They are the founders of YourNegotiations, a company that offers 1:1 consulting and online courses to help people negotiate job offers and raises. Their clients and students have used their strategies to increase job offers by an average of $90K, to as much as $550K!
I would get started with their free worksheet that walks through a few scenarios on how to avoid common negotiation mistakes in the early stages of the interview process.
When you’re ready to dive in deeper, take their in-depth salary negotiations course (includes a 1:1 call with them!) to get the salary that you deserve. Use code OFFBOARD at checkout for $50 off.
-FEATURED PARTNER-
Want to save the planet with your tech skills?
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