Remote teams

Remote teams

How did I manage to convince my Fitbit that I had a rigorous workout in the middle of the workday? It was not a treadmill desk, though I do have one of those at home. Also, not a trick. I did not put my Fitbit onto my cat and make her run around the apartment. It was actually quite a serious answer. It was a clash with a co-worker that made my heart rate go up to 140

The number of job ads offering work-from-home perks is on the decline, but there are some industries still holding onto the pandemic-era arrangement. The labour market is tough for job seekers across much of the country and employers in some sectors have realised they don't have to offer the same level of flexibility to attract the best talent. New SEEK data has revealed only 9 per cent of ads now mention WFH, which is down slightly from a 2023 peak of 10 per cent per cent.

OpenAI employees are Slacking up a storm. While AI companies say they're radically changing how we work, from work to messaging to cutting head count entirely, OpenAI is sticking with one classic workplace tool - and they use it a lot. OpenAI COO Brad Lightcap said his company had high-frequency Slackers on Fortune's "Term Sheet" podcast. "We are probably the world's most active users of Slack internally at OpenAI," Lightcap said.

There's one unifying reason why employees actually show up for work every single day. The pay. It's as simple as that. But is there such a thing as a job perk so good that it would make up for a pay cut from what you are currently earning? According to a survey conducted by Youngstown State University, of 1,000 employees in the U.S., there are actually two things that Americans would consider worthy of a pay cut: a remote or hybrid workplace or a four-day workweek.

Since announcing the policy, Ford has sent some employees emails telling them that they are not badging in enough and warning that they could face termination if they do not improve their attendance, three current and former Ford employees told Business Insider. Two said they had received these emails despite complying with updated office attendance policies and having previous work-from-home arrangements signed off by their managers.

If your workday lives on Slack, you already know how noisy it can get. Threads spiral into chaos. Messages get lost in the shuffle. And before you know it, someone's asking for the third time, "Hey, just checking in on this?" That's where a well-written message makes all the difference. A quick reminder, a friendly nudge, or a clear update sent at the right time can keep everyone in sync without sounding overbearing.

Gone are the days when a four-year degree was necessary for landing a well-paying, flexible, work-from-home job. Today, many employers prioritize skills over diplomas, opening the door to remote roles that don't require a college degree. This shift is a game-changer for anyone looking to change careers, reenter the workforce, or simply escape the grind of office life. And if you're doing better financially or looking to earn extra income, the right remote job can help you reach your goals without a degree.

As someone who's spent decades advocating not just for jobs, but for employment that benefits both individuals and economies, I see this debate cutting straight to the core: real progress comes when people and companies work together. Mandates may look bold, but compulsion rarely washes well. Which brings us to the sharper question: How would US employers react to a legislated work-from-home mandate?