We've exchanged nearly 200,000 messages with U.S. workers since March 2020. Here's what we've learned.
As we recognize Labor Day 2021, 18 months have passed since the COVID-19 pandemic emerged across the world and upended workplaces here at home. At Empower Work, we talk directly every day with workers who reach out for support in moments of distress, and we’ve exchanged nearly 200,000 messages since March 2020. Through thousands of vulnerable moments shared, we have a unique view into what people are facing—and what we can do to support them.
Feeling taken advantage of at work? Here’s what you need to know.
Being taken advantage of at work can have real financial, emotional, and professional consequences. This phenomenon is all too common: one survey found that nearly 80% of respondents have felt taken advantage of at work at some point. Whether subtle, like a lack of respect or recognition, or more overt, like discrimination or wage theft, there are steps you can take in response—today.
Worried about your workplace in a new wave of COVID?
A year and a half into the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans have been preparing for schools and workplaces to reopen this fall. However, with the rise of the Delta variant, many employers are now reevaluating their reopening plans, and many workers are struggling with how to respond to choices their employers are making with regards to workplace COVID safety—especially if they don’t feel safe. Whether you’re an employer or an employee, here are a few tips to navigate the ever-changing landscape of COVID safety at work.
I’m burned out at work. What can I do?
If you’re feeling burned out at work, you’re not alone. A recent poll found that 95% of workers are thinking about finding a new job—and a third of respondents cited burnout as the reason why. Given the unprecedented ongoing stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic recession, against the recent backdrop of racial violence and political turmoil in this country, these high rates of burnout are no surprise. Here’s what you can do.
Prioritizing BIPOC Mental Health At Work
Mental health struggles can affect everyone, regardless of race, gender, age, industry, or income bracket. If you identify as Black, Indigenous, or a person of color (BIPOC), you are likely all too aware that racism and racial trauma can add an additional layer of complexity to mental health struggles. If you’re looking for ways to prioritize your own mental health at work, or wondering what you can do to support BIPOC coworkers or employees, here are a few places to start.
How To Contribute To A More Inclusive Workplace, Part 2: Take Action
Creating an inclusive environment at work requires far more than words. Regardless of your personal identity or professional position at work, there are tangible actions you can take to contribute to a more inclusive workplace—starting today.
How To Contribute To A More Inclusive Workplace, Part 1: Commit to Learning
Workforce diversity will not change the organization’s bottom line unless employees feel included—and creating an inclusive environment at work is a shared responsibility. By staying humble, staying curious, and staying engaged, you can learn new tools to help promote inclusion in your own workplace.
BIPOC: What Does It Mean, And Why Does Language Matter At Work?
Language is constantly evolving, especially language related to identity. If you find yourself struggling with new terminology, like the term BIPOC, here’s what you need to know—and why language matters in the workplace.
Worried About Job Loss As You Grow Older?
Many people feel concerned about being treated differently at work because of age. Some fear being pushed out, and others worry about potential job prospects narrowing as they grow older. Whatever your situation, there are things within your control to help address the fear and take action towards what you want.
Something Feels Off With This Hiring Process — What Can I Do?
The job hunt is tough on everyone. But when an employer’s hiring process is confusing or off somehow, it can make the experience even more frustrating. Here are some common missteps job-seekers make in the hiring process, and some steps you can take to navigate the hiring process in a healthy way.
How the Pandemic Has Affected Workplace Mental Health
The American workplace was unprepared for the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect it would have on workers. Employees report being more stressed, more anxious about financial well-being, and more worried about their physical and mental health than ever. So how can our workplaces protect our mental health in 2021 and beyond?
A National Crisis for Women (with Hope): An Interview with June Sugiyama
COVID-19 has changed the workplace for employees across the United States. At many businesses, there are new safety guidelines for workers to follow that may cause confusion. In some cases, employers are not following COVID-19 safety guidelines, putting workers at risk. Here are some COVID-19 safety challenges that workers may encounter in the workplace and resources to help.
My Employer Isn’t Following COVID-19 Safety Rules. What Should I Do?
COVID-19 has changed the workplace for employees across the United States. At many businesses, there are new safety guidelines for workers to follow that may cause confusion. In some cases, employers are not following COVID-19 safety guidelines, putting workers at risk. Here are some COVID-19 safety challenges that workers may encounter in the workplace and resources to help.
Centering Women of Color in the Workplace: Going Beyond Representation in 2021
As we think about economic recovery in 2021 and beyond, how do we center women of color in the workplace in order to achieve equitable outcomes?
Before the pandemic hit, Black and Latina women were already making less money and facing greater systemic barriers than their white counterparts. COVID has only further worsened that divide. We're at a crisis point, and if we’re going to recover, we have to explicitly prioritize the needs of women of color moving forward.
