Work News and Trends: Global Shifts in Employment, Tech & the Future of Work
This section covers key developments in employment, and how people work, across industries, borders, and job levels.
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The Monthly Work & Job Market Roundup: March 2025
March 2025’s Work & Job Market Roundup covers layoffs, AI shifts, wage data, and global employment trends, curated and analyzed by New Stardom
Signal Controversy Highlights Risks of Using Commercial Messaging Apps for Confidential Communications
The incident, first reported by The Atlantic on March 24, 2025. Although this specific case involves high-level government use, it also serves as a critical reminder to businesses regarding the risks of using consumer-grade messaging apps for confidential workplace discussions.
Taskmasking: Is Gen Z Really Reinventing the Art of Looking Busy?
There's a buzzword popping up in office hallways and HR meetings lately: taskmasking. Recently coined and highlighted prominently by sources like The Guardian, Forbes, and many others, taskmasking refers to employees intentionally appearing busy.
Cisco’s Digital Upskilling Pledge and the Bigger Picture of Europe’s Workforce Shift
According to the European Commission’s Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), 44% of adults in the EU lack basic digital skills, with major disparities between countries.
The Monthly Work & Job Market Roundup: February 2025
The monthly roundup offers a manually curated selection of the most relevant stories. A clear snapshot of global employment trends, industry shifts, and workplace transformations. If you want to stay informed about where the world of work is heading, this is your go-to monthly recap.
AI and the News Industry: How The Guardian’s OpenAI Deal Signals a New Era
The deal, announced on February 17 grants OpenAI’s chatbot access to the Guardian’s editorial content, while the media company will implement ChatGPT Enterprise internally to develop new features for both readers and business operations.
ETIAS: What You Need to Know About Europe’s Upcoming Travel Authorization System
The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will require travelers from over 60 nations to obtain electronic travel authorization before entering the Schengen Area.
Mass Layoffs Continue in 2025 as Major Companies Restructure
The corporate layoff wave that started in 2022 isn’t over. In the first weeks of 2025, some of the world’s biggest companies like Meta, CNN, Microsoft, Adidas, Shell, Unilever, KLM, and more, have announced job cuts affecting thousands of workers.
The Cost of Living Crisis: A Workforce Under Pressure
According to the Future of Jobs Report 2025, inflationary pressures and economic uncertainty are among the top trends driving change across 50% of industries worldwide.
EU’s Digital Lag: Urgent Reforms Needed to Compete with US and China
(Bloomberg) The European Union (EU) is facing significant challenges in maintaining its economic competitiveness, particularly in the digital sector, where it lags behind the United States and China.
Germany and Italy Expand Work Visa Programs to Address Labor Shortages in 2025
In response to escalating labor shortages, Germany and Italy have announced significant expansions to their work visa programs for 2025, aiming to attract more foreign workers across various sectors.
10 Emerging Careers in PR, Marketing, and Communications
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and immersive media has created unique career opportunities for those prepared to adapt. Whether you’re just starting your career or seeking a pivot, these emerging roles highlight where the industry is headed, and how you can stay ahead of the curve.
EU Labour Market Trends Q2 2024: What to Expect from December’s Update
Looking for the latest EU labor market data? Read on for Q2 trends, and bookmark this page for December 13 when the Q3 2024 release will be added.
Alphabet’s Q3 Challenge: Competition, Cloud Growth, and the Battle for Ad Dollars
Alphabet, the parent company of Google, is preparing to report its Q3 2024 earnings, facing new challenges that reflect broader shifts in the tech and advertising landscapes. With competitors like Amazon and TikTok edging into Google's territory, especially in digital advertising, and with newer generative AI players entering the search market, Alphabet’s historically unchallenged dominance is showing signs of strain.
Spotify Challenges Amazon's Office Mandates with Bold Work-From-Anywhere Policy
Just days after Amazon made headlines by enforcing a strict return-to-office policy, Spotify countered with a message that resonated across industries: “Our employees aren’t children.” In a clear pushback against the growing trend among tech giants to pull workers back into offices, Spotify has reaffirmed its commitment to its work-from-anywhere policy, which it introduced in early 2021.
EY Survey Reveals AI’s Growing Role in Tax: Finance Teams Brace for Compliance and Talent Challenges
Generative AI (GenAI) is emerging as a key tool for tax and finance operations, according to the latest EY 2024 Tax and Finance Operations Survey. As businesses grapple with complex tax compliance requirements, talent shortages, and rising cost pressures, AI offers transformative solutions to streamline operations and reduce human errors.
How AI Training Can Foster Ethical AI Use in the Workplace
Companies are under increasing pressure to ensure that AI is used responsibly, not just effectively. To do this, ongoing AI training is crucial to keep employees informed about both the practical applications of AI and the ethical implicationsof its use.
Google-Commissioned Report Highlights Generative AI's Potential to Boost EU Economy by EUR 1.4 Trillion
A new report, released on September 30, 2024, and commissioned by Google, reveals the significant economic impact generative AI could have on the European Union. Conducted by Implement Consulting Group, the study estimates that with widespread adoption, generative AI could add between EUR 1.2 to 1.4 trillion to the EU’s GDP over the next decade, a potential 8% boost. This transformative technology could be the key to enhancing the EU's competitiveness, especially as the region continues to trail behind global leaders like the United States and China.
Europe’s Growing Skill Shortage Crisis: Employers Struggle to Find Qualified Workers
This information was first reported by Euronews. For more details on the Eurobarometer surveys, read the full article here.
How AI and Automation Are Fueling 2024’s Major Tech Layoffs
The wave of tech layoffs that started in 2022 is continuing its trajectory through 2024, with more than 60,000 employees already affected across 254 companies, according to Layoffs.fyi. Major players like Tesla, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft have been at the forefront of these cuts, which include both high-profile corporations and smaller startups struggling to find their footing in a volatile economic landscape.