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Students sue UK university over COVID-19 disruptions

July 11, 2024
Students and graduates of a London university are headed to court over the quality of teaching during strikes and COVID-19 lockdowns. Around 5,000 current and former students sued University College London (UCL) after classes were moved online or canceled altogether.

Their lawyers are calling the school to make “sensible settlement proposals” to avoid going to trial. The cases against UCL will be the first to go to court, but current and former students at other universities are seeking compensation, as well.

Lawyers in the United Kingdom set up a website to offer representation to university students. They said more than 155,000 people have signed up so far.

https://twitter.com/StudentGrpClaim/status/1801664668223566059

The students seeking compensation said canceled and online teaching restricted their access to facilities and damaged the quality of learning, breaching the university’s contractual obligations to provide in-person teaching and access to facilities. UCL denied the claims, saying it was under no such obligation.

In June, the law firms representing the students argued for a group litigation order, which would have allowed all the claims against UCL to be processed as one single claim. A court dismissed that request.

Instead, a few students representing a variety of scenarios will be selected as “test cases” for the trial. Their judgements will help determine how other cases are settled moving forward. The students are set to go to court at the start of 2026.
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Your boss is watching you: Why more companies are spying on workers

June 14, 2024
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of employee surveillance technology by companies has surged. Even as many employees have resumed office work, firms continue to monitor them closely. On Friday, June 14, reports emerged that Wells Fargo dismissed over a dozen employees accused of “simulating keyboard activity” rather than working.

Wells Fargo has not disclosed whether the terminated employees were working from home or in the office, although the company generally requires in-person attendance three days a week.

Over the past four years, workers have increasingly sought ways to circumvent employers’ monitoring of their remote work, sharing tips on social media regarding how to appear busy. Devices such as “mouse jigglers,” which keep the cursor moving, and keyboard “clickers,” which simulate typing, have become popular, with some selling for as little as $10 on Amazon.

Recently, however, such tactics have come under scrutiny. Wells Fargo is not alone in its intensive monitoring practices; companies like JP Morgan, Barclays, and UnitedHealth Group track a wide range of employee activities, from emails to keystrokes, and even eye movements and screen captures.

A recent Harvard Business Review study indicates that such surveillance may be counterproductive. The study found that monitored employees are more prone to rule-breaking and may even damage or steal company property.

The researchers argue that surveillance can undermine an individual’s moral compass, leading to unethical behavior. They advocate for a work environment based on trust and autonomy rather than control through surveillance.
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FTC votes to ban non-compete clauses

April 24, 2024
In a 3-2 vote Tuesday, April 23, the Federal Trade Commission voted to ban non-compete agreements nationwide, affecting an estimated 30 million workers. This rule prohibits new non-compete clauses and nullifies existing ones, except for certain high-earning senior executives.

“We heard from employees who, because of non-competes, were stuck in abusive workplaces,” FTC Chair Lina Khan said. “One person noted when an employer merged with an organization whose religious principles conflicted with their own, a non-compete kept the worker locked in place and unable to freely switch to a job that didn’t conflict with their religious practices.”

“The FTC’s final rule to ban noncompetes will ensure Americans have the freedom to pursue a new job, start a new business, or bring a new idea to market,” Khan added.

While supporters applaud the decision as a victory for worker rights, opponents, including Suzanne P. Clark, CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, criticized the FTC’s new rule as an overreach that threatens American business competitiveness, announcing plans to sue to block the rule.

“This decision sets a dangerous precedent for government micromanagement of business and can harm employers, workers, and our economy,” Clark said. “The Chamber will sue the FTC to block this unnecessary and unlawful rule and put other agencies on notice that such overreach will not go unchecked.”

The FTC’s ban is set to take effect in 120 days but is expected to be challenged in court.
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4-day workweek success: 89% of UK companies in trial continuing policy

February 22, 2024
According to a LinkedIn survey, the “Sunday scaries” impact 75% of Americans as they head into another long week of work — and they aren’t alone. A test run from 2023 could ease the anxiety brought on by those Sunday scaries. 61 U.K. companies participated in the world’s largest four-day workweek test run in 2023, and the results seem to be sticking in 2024.

“If you give people this incredible incentive of a whole day of your time a week, they are going to work really hard to become more productive,” Simon Ursell, managing director at one of the participating companies, told the BBC in 2023.

That thought drove the U.K.-based four-day week pilot trial. One year later, a look back at the program gives researchers and companies across industries and the world insight into whether it would work long-term.

According to a newly released report by the think tank Autonomy, of the 61 companies that participated, 89% of them have continued the four-day workweek policy and 51% have made it official, permanently switching the workweek from five days to four days.

Shortly after the trial ended in 2023, Ursell told the BBC that while it is great for employees’ work-life balance, it has also been great for productivity, with his staff calling out sick 65% less frequently and no drop in revenue.

“We’ve seen our fatigue come down through the trial so we can prove that our team are happier, less tired and are making more money,” Ursell said.

Twelve months later, Ursell’s findings hold true, according to Professor of Sociology at Boston College Juliet Schor, the author of the Autonomy report.

“Overall results have held and in some cases have even continued to improve,” Schor said in a statement. “Physical and mental health and work-life balance are significantly better than at six months. Burnout and life satisfaction improvements held steady. Job satisfaction and sleep problems nudged down a bit, but the bulk of the original improvement remains.”

Of the staff who participated in the trial, 96% reported their personal life had benefitted from the shortened week and 86% said they were more productive. 82% of companies that took part reported positive effects of the policy, and one-third saw a noticeable uptick in recruiting, with half reporting better staff retention.

Schor and other researchers contend that four-day workweeks can help companies combat high turnover rates — which have been exacerbated by the pandemic — and increase overall efficiency.

Not everyone agrees that a four-day workweek is the answer. According to reporting by The Guardian, the director at the Confederation of British Industries said the policy is not a one-size-fits-all answer and that not all industries can afford such a policy.

In February, the Scottish government implemented its own four-day workweek trial for some of its public services.
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From nuclear bunkers to pirate ships: 5 coolest offices on the planet

June 16, 2023

The era of work-from-home is winding down for many. New York City offices just hit 50% occupancy for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Dreading those stale cubicle walls? Here are some of the coolest offices on the planet in this week’s Five For Friday.

Source: Bahnhof

5: Bahnhof

Swedish internet service provider Bahnhof repurposed a nuclear bunker for its Stockholm-based headquarters.

It took two years of blasting to hollow out the facility, which is located 100 feet under Vita Bergen Park. It needed the extra space to house the company’s data centers. Its CEO said he was hoping to replicate the vibe of the 1970s science fiction film Silent Running.

Imagine having a meeting in this floating glass conference room that looks like it was built for a James Bond villain. Talk about high stakes.

Source: T-Mobile

4: T-Mobile

T-Mobile’s Bellevue, Washington, headquarters looks more like a trendy up-and-coming neighborhood than the home of the nation’s third-largest wireless carrier.

Outdoor space is paramount to keeping talent happy and T-Mobile has tons of it to be utilized (when it’s not raining). The office features a refurbished Airstream offering frozen yogurt, a coffee shop, and even a dry cleaner in case employees need to take care of that errand while on the job.

All of the amenities are clad in the company’s trademark “New Magenta.”

Source: Inventionland

3: Inventionland

Pittsburgh-based incubator Inventionland knows its artists need inspiration and hopes its lab can do the trick. The artists work with inventors to develop and market products for a fee.

The Inventionland office includes 16 themed areas including a pet shack, a pirate ship and a castle. It also hosts tours for tens of thousands of aspiring creators every year. The product list on the website doesn’t scream million-dollar deals featured on Shark Tank, but this spout could help you have milk every day.

Source: Lego

2: Lego

Lego is known for making some of the world’s most iconic toys, so its campus has to be blast. It officially opened its new headquarters in Billund, Denmark, last year.

It features wall-to-wall bricks and is designed so no one could be confused about what makes up its business. Lego’s People House allows builders to relax and recharge in its workshop and fitness studio. It even includes a homestay for visiting employees. The company also focused on sustainability: All of the outdoor furniture is made from recycled Lego bricks.

The new digs must be working: Lego increased its revenue by 17% in 2022 and the product is also a pretty good investment.

Source: Bark

1: Bark

At Bark’s Columbus, Ohio-area offices, every day is bring your dog to work day. In fact, they say there are as many as 50 furry friends in the facility on any given day.

The pet toy market is expected to nearly double by 2032 so the BarkBox maker will need the space. The office has a work-and-play lounge with ramps for the pups to run on, an amenity bar with nooks where your pal can curl up with you while you work, and all the toys they can handle. Everything is made of durable dog-friendly materials for longevity and safety.
Goodbye hybrid work: 5 signs 2023 is the year of return to office

January 20, 2023

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, only 8% of employees worked exclusively remote, but that jumped to 39% by early 2022, according to a survey from Gallup. But the days of rolling out of bed and making yourself presentable from the waist up could be coming to an end this year. Yes, it might be time to put on real pants. Straight Arrow News has the signs that 2023 is the year of “return to office” in this week’s Five For Friday.

#5: COVID-19-related factors

COVID-19-related social distancing and lockdown measures were the catalyst for the widespread adoption of working from home. Companies were itching to get employees back in the office by the start of 2022, but surges in cases due to the delta and omicron variants upended those plans. Cases have leveled off for the most part, according to CDC data, making it more likely that no virus will stand in the way of a return to office.

#4: Some workers want to return

More than half of remote-capable workers prefer a hybrid work environment, nearly double those who prefer being fully remote, according to Gallup. But when it comes to returning to the office everyday, only 6% are willing to give up all that flexibility. With business leaders overwhelmingly believing in the benefit of in-person work, the opinion of the 6% may get more weight than the rest.

#3: Commercial real estate

Business is all about the bottom line and office space can be really expensive. The technology hub of San Francisco is a perfect example. Office space in the Bay Area averages $75.86 per square foot. That’s nearly twice the national average of $38.19 per square foot. Wasting all that money on a premium location isn’t sitting well with shareholders and those in the C-suite. Kastle has been tracking a steady increase in employees returning to the office over the last year, a sign of what is to come.

#2: Follow the big guys

Business leaders believe workers are more productive in the office. In fact, 96% say there are more benefits to in-person work, according to a survey from Resume Builder. But there’s a big disconnect between leadership and employees, the latter claiming to be 29% more productive with a flexible work environment. Major firms like Apple, Disney and Starbucks have already mandated return to office in some capacity, so smaller companies will likely follow suit.

#1: The job market

Workers experienced a brief moment of power following the pandemic shock. The U.S. hit a record 11.5 million job openings in March of 2022, which made employees a sought-after commodity. Employers fought to attract good talent by offering higher wages and perks like flexible working conditions. But pay increases are slowing and concerns of a global recession could tip the scales back in the favor of the boss. They’re already flexing that muscle, with 21% saying they are willing to fire employees who refuse to return to office, according to Resume Builder.
Colorado shooting suspect charged, Nebraska governor seeks Senate seat

December 6, 2022

The Colorado shooting suspect is charged; Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts seeks Senate seat; and an “office apocalypse” hits the U.S. These stories and more highlight the midday update for Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022.

Colorado suspect charged in club shooting

The suspect in the Colorado gay nightclub shooting has formally been charged by officials. The shooter is facing five counts of first-degree murder, and five hate crime charges. He will remain in custody without bail.

5 people were killed on Nov. 19, and another 22 people were injured during the mass shooting at the Club Q nightclub.

Nebraska’s governor to seek Senate seat

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts is seeking a Senate seat. His office made the announcement this morning.

The two-term Republican governor is looking to fill the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Ben Sasse. Sasse is resigning to take a job as president of the University of Florida.

Ricketts will submit his application for consideration alongside the other applicants. Ricketts said he wants to run Nebraska’s government more like a business.

Gov. Ricketts is the son of Straight Arrow News CEO Joe Ricketts.

Gold medals awarded to Capitol police

Today, law enforcement officers in Washington D.C. will be presented with Congressional Gold Medals.

The ceremony comes about a year since President Biden announced the officers present at the Capitol on Jan. 6 would be awarded with Congress’ highest honor. U.S. Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police are credited for stopping a breach of the Capitol building that happened almost two years ago.

Americans polled on support for Ukraine

The U.S. has sent $20 billion worth of aid to Ukraine since President Biden took office. A new poll asked Americans if they agree with the support being sent to the region.

According to the poll, more than two-thirds of Americans agree with the funneling of arms and aid being sent to Ukraine. But with the war in Ukraine now in its 10th month with no end in sight, Americans are split over whether Washington should urge Ukraine into accepting a peace settlement.

47% of Americans, or nearly half of those polled, say Ukraine needs to better its attempt at ending the war. The consensus is that Americans largely support helping Ukraine, but hope the help is only temporary.

Hertz settles with customers accused of theft

The rental car company Hertz will pay $168 million to settle hundreds of claims from customers who were accused of stealing rental cars.

The car company falsely reported customers to authorities, claiming they stole and never returned their rental car. Some of those customers even spend weeks or months in jail.

Hertz previously said in a statement that “the vast majority” of cases involved customers who were late returning vehicles.

Meta threatens to remove news from Facebook

Many Americans get their news headlines from social media, but imagine a world where news has no place on social media platforms.

Facebook’s parent company Meta is warning they could strip news completely off its social media platforms if Congress passes a bill that would open the door for news agencies to get a cut of ad revenue social media sites earn off of its news content.

“The Journalism Competition and Preservation Act fails to recognize the key fact: Publishers and broadcasters put their content on our platform themselves because it benefits their bottom line,” said a Meta spokesperson.

That bill is now intertwined with the annual defense authorization bill that is currently in Congress. Leaders in Congress said the defense bill will pass this month, which would then trigger this measure to take effect.

Half of office spaces vacant post-pandemic

As people continue to work from home, the U.S. is dealing with what’s being called an “office apocalypse.”

The pandemic has cleared out office spaces across the country. A new report has half of the offices in the U.S. unoccupied.

Before the pandemic, 95% of offices were in use. But today, it’s closer to 47%. Now, a developer in New York is raising money to turn empty office towers into apartments and condos. Converting the empty buildings into residential properties could help combat New York’s housing crisis.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated.
Midterms unsettled; Tropical Storm Nicole; Twitter remote work

November 10, 2022

The 2022 midterms remained unsettled as of early Thursday morning; Hurricane Nicole downgraded to a tropical storm shortly after making landfall in Florida; and Elon Musk banned remote work at Twitter. These stories highlight the Daily Rundown for Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022.

Midterms unsettled – While Republicans made small gains in both houses of Congress Wednesday, both chambers remained up for grabs more than 24 hours after polls closed in the 2022 midterm elections. As of 7:00 a.m. EST, Republicans held a 207-184 lead in the House (218 needed for party control) and a 49-48 lead in the Senate.

Based on partial results of the undecided races, Republicans are still expected to take the House. They are currently leading in enough races to secure 220 seats.

However, control of the Senate may come down to next month’s Georgia Senate runoff election between Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker. With the midterms still unsettled, some allies of former President Donald Trump were calling on him to delay his planned announcement of a presidential run for 2024.

“I’ll be advising him that he move his announcement until after the Georgia runoff,” former Trump adviser Jason Miller said. “Georgia needs to be the focus of every Republican in the country right now.”

Nicole downgraded to tropical storm – Hurricane Nicole made landfall along the east coast of Florida early Thursday, shortly before being downgraded to a tropical storm. Nicole had already led officials to shut down airports and theme parks and order evacuations in areas that included former President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club.

Authorities warned that Nicole’s storm surge could further erode many beaches hit by Hurricane Ian in September. Nicole is forecast to head into Georgia and the Carolinas later Thursday and Friday, dumping heavy rain across the region.

Twitter ends remote work – According to a Bloomberg report, new Twitter owner Elon Musk’s first staff email included a ban on remote work unless he personally approved it. The new rules, which kick in immediately, will expect employees to be in the office for at least 40 hours per week.

In the email, Musk told staff to prepare for “difficult times ahead” as it pertained to the social media company’s finances. Musk has upped the price for the Twitter Blue subscription to $8 and attached user verification to it. Musk told workers in the email that he wants to see subscriptions account for half of Twitter’s revenue.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Effects of shift to remote work: more sleep, leisure time, small baby boom

October 20, 2022

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the National Bureau of Economic Research released research on the effects of the shift to remote work in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These effects include “a substantial fall in time spend working,” “notable increases in leisure time and sleeping,” and “a small ‘baby bump’ among U.S.-born mothers.”

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York analysis took a look at what Americans are doing with the 60 million fewer hours they spend traveling to work each day. The answer was not just at-home work. The the analysis found “the decrease in hours worked away from home is only partially offset by an increase in working at home.” It appears some of that extra time was redirected to sleep and leisure time.

“The rise in leisure was particularly pronounced among younger Americans, who reported spending more time at social events, eating at restaurants or bars, and exercising,” the authors of the analysis wrote. “Older age groups, on the other hand, tended to allocate more time to nonmarket work, such as activities related to childcare, the maintenance of the household, repairs, and meal preparation.”

Meanwhile, a working paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research took a look at the effects of remote work and the COVID-19 pandemic on childbearing. Authors found that the COVID-19 pandemic led to a net increase of 46,000 children born to U.S. mothers, which was the result of both a small increase in births among U.S.-born mothers in 2020 and a “baby bump” in 2021.

The 2021 baby bump is the first major reversal in declining U.S. fertility rates since 2007 and was most pronounced for first births and women under age 25, which suggests the pandemic led some women to start their families earlier,” the authors of the paper wrote. “Above age 25, the baby bump was also pronounced for women ages 30-34 and women with a college education, who were more likely to benefit from working from home.”

The Hill contributed to this report.