British primatologist Jane Goodall (Sumy Sadurni/Getty Images)
Participation in the workforce among those ages 75 and older is projected to hit 11.7% in 2030, up from 8.9% in 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Census Bureau data shows 650,000 Americans over the age of 80 still worked last year. Workers over the age of 80 talk about why they've resisted retirement, including 82-year-old baker Andree Carlson who says, "We like having somewhere to go, something that needs to be done, and everybody likes to feel needed."
US businesses are grappling with a marked productivity slump attributed to factors such as fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, employee morale, experienced workers leaving their jobs and dated systems and processes. Solutions to this slump, writes Vincent Ryan, include investment in technological innovations such as automation and artificial intelligence tools, and a major overhaul of corporate strategies.
Rumination can be intrusive and lead to a cycle of self-fulfilling prophecies that perpetuate the negative thought pattern, experts say. Breaking out of a rumination cycle can be difficult, though movement, distraction and time outdoors can help end the thought process, advise licensed clinical social worker Cynthia Siadat and other mental health professionals.
Existing debt and an inability to save are two of the main factors impeding US workers' retirement planning efforts, research suggests. A survey found that almost half of workers felt debt had a negative impact on their retirement saving, and the report also indicated that credit card debt is a more significant problem for employees than student loan or medical debt. Experts in an online presentation said benefit plan changes are needed but likely will take time to catch on.
Leaders can help stem the epidemic of loneliness that many employees suffer from by offering social opportunities, employee resource groups and creating a culture that fosters deeper connection, write authors and consultants Three and Jackie Carpenter. "Encouraging open communication, team-building activities and fostering positive relationships among employees leads to a supportive work environment," they write.
If three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond started in Lakewood, Calif., and rode the full 2,235 miles of the Tour, what's the nearest city at the end of his ride?
I don’t like to work in my bedroom. I try to reserve my room just for sleeping, getting dressed and relaxing.
I work in my den and dining room area -- a large, airy space with plenty of light. My desk is in the corner, so it’s out of the way of traffic flowing through the room. A lovely breeze wafts between the windows on either side of my desk, keeping me cool throughout the day. I can hear the fountain in the pond outside running. It’s a soothing sound.
The layout of our home office areas is key to our productivity and ultimately, quality of life, according to our Leadership & Development story today. That makes sense, especially with so many of us working from home these days. We need workspaces that will allow us to concentrate and function. But we also need to be able to “close” these spaces at the end of the day, so we do get out of work mode and allow ourselves to separate and rest.
What does your home office look like? Let me know! And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also.
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