Employers are looking to reduce staff due to reduced economic activity in the U.S. Further, the anticipation that AI will displace a lot of employee positions based on the hype. So they are cutting positions now, but would rather not pay severance. So, make life less pleasant for the employee.
- C-Suite is enjoying large bonuses as the stock market hits new highs. They are getting credit for the work, even if it is a bubble.
- Fewer junior positions needed so less opportunity for the younger out of college.
- Some employees did abuse work from home, so now we all get called in (thanks).
- With new butt in the seat rules, flexibility from the immediate manager is hampered, as the new in office requirements are often very rigid. So, long hours over a weekend do not translate to flexible time off.
all of this adds up to a new less enjoyable norm for the worker bee