Airbnb’s Work from Anywhere Policy Draws Millions: TOP 5 Trends From The  World  Of  Work

Remote work is all the rage right now. And Airbnb’s CEO is making big moves in the world of remote work. The CEO’s “work from anywhere” policy is one of the most liberal in the industry, and it’s drawing millions to their job ads.

What else matters this week?

Staff shortages due to Brexit are still happening. One business has to turn away people because they are so short staffed. Underrepresented founders get a boost. Reimagining employee retention. Keeping unconscious bias out of decision marking in the workplace. We’ve got a full breakdown of all the top headlines you can’t miss this week.

#1. Airbnb’s permanent work from anywhere policy is drawing top talent.

When the pandemic hit., Airbnb’s business as hit hard. The platform plunged 80% in two months. But the rise of remote work and the bliesure movement has pushed bookings and revenue about the company’s pre-pandemic levels. It’s led the CEO of Airbnb, Brian Chesky, to announce several big moves, including one of the industry’s most liberal “work from anywhere” policies. “Since we made the announcement, more than 1 million people have visited our jobs page. I’ve had tons of other CEOs reach out to me saying, “Hey, we’re thinking about doing this.” I never predicted that our design would have an influence on the world. I think we just struck a chord,” the CEO told Fortune. “I don’t think hybrid, asking people to come back to work in the office three days a week, actually provides a ton more flexibility than the old world. And I felt like location-based pay would eventually be an outdated practice. We’re just getting in front of the curve. And listen, if people can live on Airbnb, if I live in San Francisco and I want to go to Maine for three months, am I going to lower your pay because Maine may have a lower cost of living? It would be kind of weird,” he added. Read more at Fortune.

#2. “Remote” jobs may have strings attached.

Looking for a remote job? You better read the fine print. Remote work is in demand, but some job seekers are reporting a frustrating roadblock: the job specifics. Some job ads may be listed as remote, but may require a hybrid work schedule or occasional in-person meetings. Prospective employees may find this out deeper into the interview process and they say they feel led on. Read more at The Wall Street Journal.

#3. The full impact of the UK’s skills shortage.

Almost three quarters of organizations in the UK say the impact of skills shortages is causing an increased workload, according to a report report from The Open University (OU) in partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). The report reveals the full extent of the skills shortage and its impact on employers. 28% of businesses, for example, said they had to turn down work or cannot bid for work due to staff shortages. One of the biggest challenges for businesses right now includes staff retention, the report found. Read more here.

#4. Are employers overstepping boundaries?

Inflation, the pandemic, war…These aren’t easy times to be alive. And as a result, many companies are working to ensure their employees are coping. But are they going too far? One London organization asked women to share their experiences with hormones and sleeplessness. Another organization are encouraging staff to open up about mental health. Some companies are offering to help pay for therapists and psychiatrists. But responses to these initiatives can often be mixed. Read more in the Financial Times.

#5. The push for cleaner shipping.

Container ships transport just about everything these days. And the world relies on them heavily – and wants more of them. “During this pandemic, people went crazy because they were closed inside their homes. So what do you do? You go online and start shopping,” says Captain Erduan Murtaza, captain of the 10 million cu. ft. container ship, the Gerda Maersk. “[All that stuff] has to come through these boxes.” Container ships are growing to meet nonstop consumer demand, but despite claims of their energy efficiency, maritime shipping still accounts for almost 3% of all global CO2 emissions. Read more in TIME.