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According to a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, companies in the United States are planning to hire 5.8% fewer new graduates this year compared to last year. The job market for graduating seniors is becoming more challenging, with employers now seeking candidates with sophisticated artificial intelligence skills rather than years of experience. The demand for entry-level jobs is high, but the supply of computer science majors is also increasing, making it more difficult for graduates to find positions. Additionally, some companies are using AI to replace certain entry-level tasks. Graduates are advised to make meaningful connections and refrain from discussing campus protests during job interviews. [Extracted from the article]

The federal ban on noncompete agreements in the United States is causing a rift between workers and employers. While workers are celebrating the new rule, many major employers are challenging it in federal court. The ban, set to go into effect in August, will give workers more freedom to change jobs and earn more, but businesses argue that noncompetes are necessary to protect trade secrets. The ban will create a uniform standard across states, as some have already banned or restricted noncompetes. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses different strategies and technologies that CEOs and consultants are using to improve corporate meetings. One approach is the use of high-tech meeting rooms equipped with artificial intelligence, holograms, and virtual reality to create a more immersive experience for remote workers. Another strategy is the implementation of walk-and-talk meetings, which take place outdoors and aim to reduce screen time and increase productivity. Pregaming is also mentioned as a way to make meetings more efficient by allowing participants to contribute their thoughts and ideas to a shareable online document before the meeting takes place. Additionally, the article discusses the concept of once-a-quarter retreats, where in-person staff meetings are held less frequently but span multiple days and include both work-related and leisure activities. Lastly, the article mentions the use of virtual reality tools with artificial intelligence to help workers practice presentations and improve their soft skills. [Extracted from the article]

The leadership of consulting firm McKinsey is uncertain as its global managing partner, Bob Sternfels, failed to secure a majority of support from senior partners for another term. A runoff election will be held between Sternfels and Rodney Zemmel, the head of McKinsey's digital strategy business. The voting process allows partners to express their support or dissatisfaction with the firm's direction. McKinsey's revenue growth has slowed due to the pandemic, leading to job cuts and a reduction in the partnership class. If Sternfels is replaced, he would be the second consecutive leader to serve only one term. [Extracted from the article]

Some employers are now giving workers advance notice of their layoffs, allowing them more time to search for a new job. This new approach, known as a "long goodbye," is being adopted by companies like Wells Fargo and Disney in an effort to appear transparent and compassionate when cutting jobs. The tightening job market and the potential backlash on social media have also contributed to this shift in layoff practices. While some employees appreciate the extra time to prepare, others find it difficult to stay motivated during the notice period. Overall, companies are trying to handle layoffs in a way that protects their reputation and treats their employees well. [Extracted from the article]

According to Gallup's 2023 workplace report and a BambooHR analysis, U.S. employees are increasingly dissatisfied at work, despite wage increases and greater flexibility. The reasons for this unhappiness vary, including inflation erasing pay gains, the unsettled nature of the workday, and a cooling job market. Companies have attempted to address these concerns by offering more benefits and support, but employee satisfaction has not improved. Factors contributing to this dissatisfaction include new employees feeling adrift and weakened relationships among coworkers due to distance. While some workers are satisfied with their jobs, others have experienced negative impacts from changes in remote work policies. [Extracted from the article]

Employees on different sides of the Israel-Hamas conflict are feeling unsupported as company leaders try to avoid workplace divisions. Some employees at Google and Amazon claim that posts supporting Palestinians or a cease-fire have been removed by management. Jewish employees are also feeling alienated and unsupported by the lack of response from co-workers and bosses. Many company leaders are hesitant to take a stance on the conflict due to its complex history and the fear of saying the wrong thing. Speaking out about the conflict can have professional consequences, with workers reporting being reported to their employers and facing backlash on social media. Companies are advised to avoid attracting attention and to refrain from making public statements on world events. [Extracted from the article]

Jennifer Solomon-Baum, a former Microsoft marketing director who left early this year, says she understands why the company chose to rethink its approach to feedback, which she feels may have made employees more open to giving feedback. "Feedback conversations, as they commonly exist today, activate a social-threat response in the brain interfering with the ability to think clearly, and raising heart rates", says Theresa Adams, senior HR knowledge adviser at human-resources trade association SHRM. Many companies, executive coaches and HR professionals are looking to erase the anxiety-inducing word from the corporate lexicon, and some are urging it be replaced by what they see as a gentler, more constructive word: "feedforward.". [Extracted from the article]

More than 40% of nearly 12,000 workers said they use ChatGPT or other AI tools at work, according to a January survey by Fishbowl, the workplace chat application. Keywords: wsjlifework; Computers/Consumer Electronics; Software; Applications Software; Artificial Intelligence Technologies; Computing; Technology; Capacity/Facilities; Automation; Corporate/Industrial News EN wsjlifework Computers/Consumer Electronics Software Applications Software Artificial Intelligence Technologies Computing Technology Capacity/Facilities Automation Corporate/Industrial News N.PAG N.PAG 1 03/24/23 20230323 NES 230323 As bosses fret over generative AI, many employees embrace it Office drama is brewing around when employees - and their bosses - are allowed to use ChatGPT at work. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: a-hed; wsj-usnews; wsjlifework; Labor/Personnel; Corporate/Industrial News; Content Types; Factiva Filters; C&E Industry News Filter; Page One Stories; SYND EN a-hed wsj-usnews wsjlifework Labor/Personnel Corporate/Industrial News Content Types Factiva Filters C&E Industry News Filter Page One Stories SYND N.PAG N.PAG 1 01/16/23 20230112 NES 230112 Companies that track employees' productivity run up against their inventive workarounds In a time of hybrid work, employers are extra-focused on making sure their staffers are being productive. Workers nationwide are sharing their ways to outsmart supervisors, guard their personal lives or just avoid looking like shirkers../Mouse Jigglers, Fake PowerPoints files/7159596624212249899.html Career coaches such as Sho Dewan provide lessons on techniques. [Extracted from the article]