Google Maps Workers Say Onsite Work Is Too Expensive And How Disabled Workers Could Strengthen The Labour Market: TOP 5 Trends From The World Of Work

This week unrest in the workforce continues with workers at Google signing a petition against the expense of returning to the office five-days a week and one in five workers saying they plan to change jobs in the next year in a global survey. Meanwhile, three thousand workers from sixty companies join the UK four-day work week trial.

What else matters this week?

Is Europe heading for an economic downturn? One business leader argues that war in Ukraine and the energy crisis have made a recession inevitable.   After the ups and downs of working through the pandemic, why are employees still afraid to discuss mental health at work? Airbnb has announced it will stop operating in China as repeated Covid lockdowns have restricted tourism.

Did you miss the top work stories from the World Economic Forum 2022?

If you missed the big event last week, here is a day by day re-cap of the top trends in the world of work:

Rebuilding Ukraine and Learning Soft Skills In The Remote Workplace: Top Stories From Davos

'Friend-shoring,' skills and driving a forklift truck in the Metaverse: top work stories From Davos

Integrating refugees, innovation and social jobs: Top Stories From Davos

Plus the replay of our event "Impact of Talent Scarcity on The Future Of Work

Now... We’ve got a full breakdown of all the top headlines you can’t miss this week.

#1. Google Maps workers say they cannot afford to return to the office

Google Maps contract employees in Washington State have signed a petition to keep working from home as some cannot afford the commute to the office. This comes amid wider efforts from Google to restore in-person work. The Google Maps contract workers have been asked to be onsite five days a week from June onwards, while full-time Google employees are being asked to come in just three days. Those who signed the petition cited high gas prices in particular as a reason that it was too expensive to make the journey to work every day. Read more at The New York Times.

#2. Does higher pay mean more work perks?

During the Great Resignation we have seen many workers quit their jobs in a bid for greater flexibility, more purpose and, of course, higher pay. But which of these points are the most important to workers? And what about other factors that boost employee well-being like workplace friendships or generous vacation days? A new study from the London School of Economics has found workers are actually more likely to have access to non-monetary perks if they are already in higher paying jobs. Consequently, lower-paying roles (with the exception of some agricultural jobs) gave employees less well-being advantages. Is it right that higher paid workers also get more job benefits, or should work perks be part of all jobs? Read the full study here.

#3. Tech companies join UK four-day work week trial

As companies grapple to attract and retain talent, the option of a four-day work week becomes a reality. Over 3,000 workers at 60 companies will take part in a six-month trial in the UK, becoming the world’s biggest pilot for a shorter work week so far. Organised by 4 Day Week Global with think tank Autonomy and the 4 Day Week UK Campaign, the trial will see 60 companies implement a shorter working week with no reduction of salary from June to December 2022. The widest 4-day week trial to date was done with 2,500 workers in Iceland by the Reykjavík City Council and the national government. The trial found that productivity either remained the same or improved in the workplaces participating. Read more on computer weekly.

#4. One in five employees expect to change jobs in next year

A new global survey has revealed that one in five workers are planning to switch jobs in the next year and those with specialised or scarce skills are most likely to want to test the waters. In addition, more than one-third of workers plan to ask for a raise in the next 12 months. Some 52,000 workers around the globe were interviewed as part of a survey to identify widespread work trends in 2022. It found that workers with specialised, in-demand skills were not only feeling confident about their job prospects – they also reported feeling more listened to by managers and satisfied with their job overall. Read more about how the Great Resignation looks set to continue at CNBC.

#5. How disabled workers could strengthen the labour market

Employments rates for disabled people in the US rose in 2021, but they are still lagging behind those for non-disabled workers. In fact, if disabled people were employed at the same rate as their non-disabled counterparts, nearly 14 million more people would have been employed in the US last year. In a context where many industries are struggling to fill vacancies, this is a missed opportunity. Crucial to solving the problem is removing obstacles to employment for disabled people The Centre for American Progress recommends improving funding for programs that support and enable disabled people to get into the workforce, and also for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Read more here.