As we look to the New Year and a “new normal” version of work-life balance, many people are looking for ways to rest and reset. Vanessa Bohns says there are ways – starting with intentional rest and recovery – to recalibrate after nearly two years of a pandemic-induced, always-on work mindset.

Industrial and Labor Relations

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With states across the U.S. taking steps towards reopening businesses, local health officials have offered guidance on what employers ought to do to keep returning employees safe. Nellie Brown, director of workplace health and safety programs at Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, says that while risk cannot be reduced to zero, the safety standards businesses put in place today will help workplaces reduce the spread of many diseases, not just Covid-19.

Industrial and Labor Relations

Economics and Business

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The U.S. announced it is moving to impose tariffs imports from the European Union, following a ruling from the World Trade Organization (WTO) earlier on Wednesday that authorized Washington to go ahead with tariffs. Kate Bronfenbrenner, senior lecturer at Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, says that the WTO’s decision gives Trump the option to use tariffs as a distraction from domestic issues at the expense of jobs beyond the airline industry - where the trade dispute originated.

Economics and Business

Industrial and Labor Relations

International

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On Wednesday, McDonald’s announced it would require workers worldwide to take anti-harassment training starting next year. The mandate is seen as a response to dozens of charges filed by employees in recent years alleging sexual harassment and retaliation when workers complained.  Vanessa Bohns, associate professor of organizational behavior at Cornell University, studies social influence and the psychology of compliance and consent. She says that sexual harassment training must be combined with other initiatives to be effective.   

Business, Economics & Entrepreneurship

Industrial and Labor Relations

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On Friday, the U.S. Department of Labor is expected to release figures for April’s unemployment rate. The report is likely to show the devasting impact of the coronavirus lockdowns on the economy, with the unemployment rate estimated to be over 16% – a record high in U.S. history. Cornell experts, Erica Groshen and Michael Waldman, are available to break down this week’s figures and help explain what a future recovery would look like.

Economics and Business

Industrial and Labor Relations

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Maria Fitzpatrick, says the decision to allow children to shed their masks is a difficult one for parents.

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On Wednesday, as effects of the coronavirus pandemic started hitting the U.S. job market, the Senate approved an emergency stimulus package to help businesses avoid mass layoffs. Cornell University economists, Paul Davis and Ian Greer are available to discuss the package, in particular, the measures taken to control unemployment. They also offer some perspective on what businesses and the government could do to further ease the effects of massive layoffs.

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Erica Groshen, expert is labor statistics, says that Thursday’s data foreshadows the largest one-month increase in unemployment to date.

Economics and Business

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Ariel Avgar is an associate professor at Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations and associate director with the Scheinman Institute on Conflict Resolution.

Health, Nutrition & Medicine

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Lara Skinner says the Biden administration’s goal to build a large offshore wind industry demonstrates his commitment to tackling climate change and creating high-quality jobs for Americans.

Energy, Environment & Sustainability

Industrial and Labor Relations

New York State

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