Initial claims for unemployment benefit stood at 198,000 in the week ending Dec. 25, according to the Labor Department, which is significantly below economists' expected figure of 205,000 and a fall of 8,000 from the previous week. After adjustments for volatility, the four-week average for claims is approaching the lowest figure recorded in October 1969.

Goldman Sachs is urging staffers to continue working from home until Jan. 18 amid the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant and is enforcing a number of safety protocols, including vaccine and mask mandates and biweekly testing. JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup also are extending remote work for the next few weeks.

One way to increase plant-based food intake is to use a 50/50 approach, swapping half the protein in a recipe for a plant-based option, said registered dietitian nutritionist Charlotte Martin. People new to plant-based eating can start by incorporating a plant-based meal in the menu a few times a week rather than trying to make the switch all at once, Martin said.

The percentage of employers offering Roth 401(k) savings has been steadily increasing, reaching 86% in 2020, up from 75% in 2019 and 49% 10 years ago, the Plan Sponsor Council of America said. Companies with more than 5,000 savers are more likely to offer this plan.

The ongoing pandemic was a major factor in reshaping workplace safety approaches in 2021, but COVID-19 wasn't the only safety issue companies and their workforces faced. This article examines the top 10 health and safety trends last year.

“Daddy and I have gone vegan.”

I sat on my couch, stunned, as my mom explained that she and my dad had adopted a plant-based diet in a move to improve my dad’s heart health. We were raised on spam, rice and eggs and kalua pig and cabbage and poi. Dad enjoyed his occasional Loco Moco. How in the world did she plan to turn that into a vegan?

Slowly, she said, explaining what she and Dad had been doing to overhaul their eating regime. I was impressed. They had been making changes over the past few months and were now enjoying new foods and dishes. “We’re doing wonderful things with tofu and vegetables. Daddy made teriyaki tofu the other day -- so ono!”

So today’s Health and Wellness story about transitioning to a plant-based diet is right on the money for me, and the perfect way to kick off 2022. I spent my weekend investigating vegan eating and ordering Charity Morgan’s new cookbook, Unbelievably Vegan: 100+ Life-Changing, Plant-Based Recipes: A Cookbook. I’m pleasantly surprised by all the delicious ideas and choices out there. And I’m very encouraged by all the health benefits that await.

Any vegan-ites out there in Workforce land? What suggestions do you have? Let me know! And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also.