Global Talent #31
Why Remote Work is Essential for Accessibility at Workplaces and the New Era of Occupational Churn
How Will Trump’s RTO Mandate Reshape Corporate America’s Approach to Workplace Flexibility?
Mikaela Cohen | HR Brew | March 6, 2025
President Trump’s executive order ending remote work for federal employees could have far-reaching implications beyond the public sector. With 54% of federal employees already working in person and just 10% fully remote, the move is less about logistics and more about setting a precedent. Some experts suggest this directive may embolden corporate leaders to follow suit, shifting away from the flexible work arrangements that have become standard in recent years. Amazon and Dell had already begun rolling back remote work policies, but Trump’s mandate explicitly aims to reduce headcount and cut costs. Critics argue this top-down approach could encourage executives to abandon transparent, employee-focused leadership styles in favor of rigid directives. While some see office returns as a way to boost collaboration, others warn that forcing change without flexibility could disrupt employees’ lives and productivity. Clear communication and a transition period may be key to mitigating backlash.
How Can Remote Work Help Close the UK’s Disability Employment Gap?
Rebecca Florisson, Paula Holland, Alice Martin, et al | Work Foundation | March 13, 2025
Remote and hybrid work has significantly reshaped employment trends since the pandemic, but its role in closing the disability employment gap remains underexplored. Currently, 20.6% of UK workers primarily work from home, up from just 5% in 2019. For disabled workers, remote work is essential - 80% of those in fully remote roles report improved health management, but this drops to 38% for those working remotely less than half the time. Demand for remote options is high, with 85% of disabled workers considering it crucial when job hunting. However, only 3.8% of job listings on the UK’s Find a Job portal offer remote work, highlighting a major accessibility gap. Researchers urge policymakers to mandate flexible work options in job ads, strengthen legal protections for remote work as a reasonable adjustment, and reform the Access to Work scheme. Without these changes, disabled workers risk being left behind as the push for office returns grows.
Is Remote Work Here to Stay, or Will Companies Force a Full Return to the Office?
Kit Eaton | Inc. | March 12, 2025
Remote work remains a defining feature of the post-Covid workplace, with 73% of U.S. workers reporting improved work-life balance, according to Pew Research. Despite management pushback, the data challenges the necessity of strict return-to-office (RTO) mandates. Productivity concerns seem unfounded, as 60% of workers say remote work helps them meet deadlines, while only 7% disagree. However, workplace socialization is a sticking point - 49% of remote employees feel disconnected from coworkers. Interestingly, Pew found that 54% of teleworkers frequently use platforms like Zoom, and 74% say these tools are effective substitutes for in-person interactions. Yet, nearly half of workers - 46% - would consider quitting if forced back to the office. These insights directly contradict RTO proponents like JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon and Google’s Sergey Brin, who champion rigid office policies and long work hours. As Gen Z reshapes workplace expectations and AI-driven tools gain traction, the traditional office’s relevance may soon be up for debate.
Is the World Economic Forum’s Use of H-1B Visas a Boon for Global Talent or a Threat to U.S. Jobs?
Kellen McGovern Jones | The Dallas Express | March 12, 2025
The World Economic Forum has employed at least 60 H-1B visa workers since 2014, according to USCIS data. These visas, issued annually to about 85,000 foreign professionals, allow recipients to work in the U.S. for up to six years. In 2024, the WEF filed for a Foundations Partner Manager position in New York with a $166,000 base salary. In 2023, four high-level roles had salaries between $165,000 and $487,000. The H-1B program remains controversial. Critics argue it displaces American workers with lower-paid foreign talent. Vivek Ramaswamy reignited the debate, blaming cultural attitudes toward excellence. Trump, initially an opponent, imposed H-1B restrictions in 2020 but later acknowledged its benefits, stating he had used the program himself. With shifting policies and growing scrutiny, the H-1B debate continues to shape U.S. labor dynamics.
Are We Witnessing a New Era of Occupational Churn?
Harvard Business School Managing the Future of Work Podcast | February 26. 2025
David Deming's recent work, co-authored with Larry Summers and Christopher Ong, challenges conventional wisdom about AI's immediate disruptive impact on the labor market. Their analysis reveals a nuanced picture, suggesting that while long-term technological shifts are undeniable, the current AI revolution's immediate effects may be less dramatic than anticipated. Deming's research, focusing on "occupational churn," demonstrates that the labor market's stability in the 2010s was historically high, but recent data indicates a shift, with churn rates accelerating to levels not seen since the 1970s. This acceleration, however, must be viewed within a broader historical context, where past technological upheavals, like the post-World War II industrial boom, caused significantly greater disruptions. Deming also points to the end of job market polarization, observing a shift towards an "upward ramp" with high-paying jobs growing rapidly and low-paying jobs shrinking. This trend is coupled with a significant increase in STEM hiring, although recent tech sector layoffs raise questions about its sustainability.
