All Economy
First LookPaid internships can diversify workforce, combat wealth gapUnpaid internships are facing critique from student activists, lawmakers, and universities due to the unfair advantage they give to those from wealthier backgrounds. Almost half of all internships are unpaid, and many students say they can’t afford them.
Cover StoryFour-day workweek: Why more companies are taking the plungeTaking a fresh look at the traditional Monday-Friday grind, companies and employees are experimenting with rebalancing the work-life scales.
Minneapolis seeks housing equality. Is building more homes enough?Does building more multifamily homes make housing more affordable? Not so far in Minneapolis, where residents are finding that factors like NIMBY and racism are keeping housing equality elusive.
Behind a coal mine strike: Who cares for workers in a fading industry?Coal miners have been on strike for 18 months in Alabama. Their struggle points to the wider search for a “just transition” for an industry squeezed by energy trends and the fight against climate change.
First LookHas inflation peaked? US gas prices lower second month in a row.Gas prices and used car prices are continuing their downward trend since July. Although consumer prices remain high, economists and Democrats heading into midterm elections hope signs that inflation has almost peaked will turn out to be true.
The ExplainerIndependent unions are having a moment. But are they here to stay?A new wave of labor organizers is bucking the old guard, raising questions about the future of power in the workplace.
Climate bill offers boost to EVs. Why short-term sales may slump.President Joe Biden signs the Inflation Reduction Act today. What that means for sales of electric vehicles.
First LookFinally, U.S. inflation slows, but will the reprieve last?Inflation is beginning to wane, offering Americans some relief. However, while things look set to improve, the U.S. economy is still grappling with the impacts of the surge in prices.
FocusWelcome to the office, Gen Z. You’re the only one here.While Gen Z may have had the technical know-how to kick off careers remotely during the pandemic, it values connection and prioritizes work-life balance.
All aboard: Why rail travel is making a comebackWith airports tangled and gas prices sky-high, train travel is proving a comfortable, affordable, and even joyous bright spot for summer vacationers.
First LookDOJ defends minority homebuyers in Philadelphia from discriminationThe Department of Justice says that a Warren Buffett-owned company avoided offering mortgages in certain areas, blocking African Americans and other minorities from obtaining housing. Now, following a legal settlement, the company will have to make it right.
First LookTrader Joe's latest to join unionizing wave sweeping across USA Trader Joe’s in Massachusetts has become the latest to join newly unionized businesses across the country, following successful unionization attempts at some Amazon and Apple locations. The 2022 fiscal year has seen a 58% increase in union petitions.
Why two dips in GDP may not mean a recession – yetIs the United States in a recession? The economy is in a weird in-between space. For many people, it feels like the answer is yes.
The 1970s and now: Inflation, an unbalanced economy, and tough choicesIn the current inflation spike, a smooth balance of supply and demand is hard to find. One silver lining: A Fed that knows lessons from the 1970s.
Inflation surges. These ‘FIRE’ adherents are escaping the flames.With inflation at a new 40-year high, consumer worry is rising. Does the “Financial Independence, Retire Early” movement show paths toward security?
First LookUS labor shortage provides opportunity for formerly incarceratedJob stability can be difficult for returning citizens after a prison sentence. But reentry programs are finding new receptivity among employers to hire formerly incarcerated workers. There are currently 11.3 million jobs open in the U.S.
Latino workers feel inflation’s force, seek paths of resilienceHispanic Americans are being hit especially hard by surging inflation. They also are fighting back, drawing on a culture of cooperation and optimism.
First LookThese companies pledge to cover abortion travel. But can they?Amazon, Disney, Apple, and J.P. Morgan pledged to cover travel costs for employees seeking abortions who live in states where abortion is now illegal. But many companies are scrambling to figure out just how they would plan to do this while also protecting employees.
First LookNo rest for crypto: EU wants to ensure transparency, stabilityOn Wednesday, the EU agreed on new rules that would subject cryptocurrency transfers to the same money-laundering protocols as traditional banking transfers to preserve financial stability. The new measures could later serve as an example for other countries.
First LookApple workers in Baltimore voted to unionize. What comes next?Apple store employees in a Baltimore suburb have made history as the first employees of the tech giant to unionize. But the road to better workspace protections may be tougher for the employees than it is for Apple, experts say.
