Initial jobless claims for the week ending Aug. 27 totaled 232,000, the lowest level since late June, according to the Labor Department. This was below the 245,000 estimate that economists predicted and marks the third week that US workers' filings for unemployment benefits fell.
Amid rising costs and labor shortages, having the resources to build the ideal investment program may seem like a pipe dream. But imagine you had unlimited, skilled, and experienced resources at your disposal. Reality is, an OCIO can be the answer. Find the right OCIO for you.
Many companies are expecting their employees to return to the office after Labor Day, but some workers are pushing back, with a Gallup survey showing that the desire to work exclusively from remote locations has increased since October 2021. Meanwhile, data from Kastle Systems shows that office occupancy has been around 44% of pre-pandemic levels since April. "We think that it's going to continue to rise, but it probably is not going to go back to pre-pandemic levels in the near future, if ever," said Kastle Systems' chairman, Mark Ein.
The rise of the virtual-first health plan The dramatic increase in telemedicine use seen early in the pandemic also fueled the rise of virtual-first health plans, an emerging model that is testing flexible, consumer-centric care for the digital health era. Register for this industry roundtable.
An analysis of several studies on the value of micro-breaks during work suggests that 10-minute breaks can be helpful, particularly if they involve physical activities. Depending on the profession, a break longer than 10 minutes could be necessary to optimize performance.
Learning how to ask good questions that focus on learning rather than assigning blame, and using self-inquiry to uncover blind spots, can help leaders become more effective, writes Marilee Adams, CEO and founder of the Inquiry Institute. "Your questions invite the best thinking, collaboration and engagement as well as a sense of psychological safety for your colleagues and teams," Adams writes.
The lifting of restrictions on college athletes being able to capitalize on their name, image and likeness has resulted in big-money deals for some football players. The shift has been welcomed by many but demands on athletes' time, bad blood between competing programs and concerns over locker room strife have bubbled up.
In observance of Labor Day in the US, SmartBrief will not publish Monday, Sept. 5.
About the Editor
Kanoe Namahoe
Labor Day weekend is upon us. How will you spend it?
Tonight will be a charcuterie board starring fresh fruit, crusty sourdough slathered with gruyere, and my favorite Moana chocolates – liliko’i passion fruit and haupia coconut. I’ll pair that with a beautiful pinot noir and hunker down on the couch for a Shemar Moore marathon (Likely “Criminal Minds”, "SWAT" and “Diary of a Mad Black Woman”).
Tomorrow will start with a long ride up the coast on my bike then brunch with friends. A quick stop at Whole Foods to load up on more goodies then home in time for the UCLA game (keep an eye on #33 on the defense). Grab a nap then more football in the afternoon -- Utah versus Florida and Grambling State versus Arkansas State (keep an eye on Grambling's new receiver, Jaron Waters). The charcuterie board will feature chocolate, popcorn, fruit and cheese. To drink: sparkling water.
And that’s as far as I’ve planned. The rest of the weekend I’ll play by ear, though I’m sure it will include more motorcycle riding, some antiquing and a lot of book reading (ahhhh).
What about you? How will you relax and refresh this weekend? Let me know! And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also.
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