Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Angry and dismayed Amazon employees are pushing back against the recently-announced return to office policy by the Amazon leadership. Amazon's policy joins other high-profile companies such as Disney, Starbucks, Tesla, Google, and others that are forcing employees back to the office. Some are claiming they need to do so for the sake of productivity. For example, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, claimed that those working remotely only " pretend to work " and are "phoning it in." Others say you need to be in the office to innovate: Disney's CEO Bob Iger demanded the return to the office because "nothing can replace the ability to connect, observe, and create with peers that comes from being physically together." So what explains the situation? As a globally-known expert in the field of hybrid and remote work , I have seen firsthand how working remotely, whether part of the week or full-time, enables worker … [Read more...] about Why Employers Forcing A Return To Office Is Leading To More Worker Power And Unionization
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European stocks get tech lift, UBS climbs on naming Ermotti as CEO
The German share price index DAX graph is pictured at the stock exchange in Frankfurt, Germany, March 28, 2023. REUTERS/Staff/File photo European shares rose on Wednesday, echoing an upbeat mood in Asian markets following Chinese tech giant Alibaba’s break-up plans, while strong outlook from chipmaker Infineon and a CEO change at Swiss bank UBS further aided the mood. The benchmark STOXX 600 index rose 0.7 percent, largely in line with gains in Asian equities. UBS Group AG gained 1.7 percent after the lender announced that Sergio Ermotti will take the helm to steer its takeover of smaller peer Credit Suisse. Credit Suisse climbed 1.4 percent, while financial services and banking indexes rose between 0.8 percent and 1 percent. “I can see why the market has stabilized and it’s true that there are some slightly comforting factors. The Fed (bets) have been repriced down quite aggressively in the past few weeks and investor positioning is very defensive,” said Vincent Chaigneau, … [Read more...] about European stocks get tech lift, UBS climbs on naming Ermotti as CEO
Tesla Cuts US Prices on Most Expensive Models
Key Takeaways Tesla lowered the prices of its most expensive models for the second time this year. The price cuts come just days after investors expressed disappointment the company didn't unveil a new model at last week's investor day. The average price for a new Tesla has fallen by half in the past five years; the least expensive models now account for 95% of sales. Other automakers could follow amid gloomy profit forecasts. Shares of Tesla fell as much as 2% today after the company reduced U.S. prices of its most expensive models. Tesla cut the prices of its Model S sedan by 5% to $89,990 from $94,990 and its Model X SUV by 9% to $99,990 from $109,990. The company also reduced the upscale Plaid versions of each model to $109,990, down $5,000 and $10,000, respectively. The price reductions came days after investors expressed disappointment that Tesla didn't unveil a lower-priced model at its first-ever investor day . They also follow cuts of up to 20% on … [Read more...] about Tesla Cuts US Prices on Most Expensive Models
Google scores partial victory in Android antitrust case in India
NEW DELHI -An Indian tribunal on Wednesday gave partial relief to Alphabet Inc’s Google by setting aside four of 10 antitrust directives in a case related to abuse of its dominant position in Android. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said in October that Google had exploited its dominant position in Android and told it to remove restrictions imposed on device makers, including related to pre-installation of apps. It also fined Google $161 million. An Indian appeals tribunal on Wednesday said CCI’s findings of Google’s anti-competitive conduct were correct and the company was also liable to pay the fine, but it quashed four of the 10 antitrust remedies that had been imposed on Google to change its business model. Among the reliefs, Google will now not need to allow hosting of third-party app stores inside Play Store, as had been previously ordered by the CCI. The move will come as some relief for Google after India’s Supreme Court in January refused to suspend any of … [Read more...] about Google scores partial victory in Android antitrust case in India
BPI CEO TG Limcaoco named new BAP president
Jose Teodoro “TG” Limcaoco MANILA -Bank of the Philippine Islands CEO Jose Teodoro K. “TG” Limcaoco was appointed the next president of the Bankers Association of the Philippines, the umbrella group comprised of the country’s biggest private and government lenders. He replaces East West Banking Corp. vice chair Antonio C. Moncupa Jr. “I am thankful for the trust that BAP members have placed in me to lead the organization into greater heights,” Limcaoco said in a statement on Wednesday. “As our country faces renewed challenges from global economic headwinds, there is a call for us in the banking industry to be forces of stability and growth so that our economy will continue to progress,” he added. During the general assembly on March 29, BAP members elected a new set of officers for the term 2023-2024. The newly-elected BAP officers include Standard Chartered Bank CEO Lynette V. Ortiz, first vice president; Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. CEO Eugene S. Acevedo, second vice … [Read more...] about BPI CEO TG Limcaoco named new BAP president
Celltrion to refine its own drug repertoire to recover from slump
Celltrion founder and chairman Seo Jung-jin speaks about his plan for the company during a press conference Wednesday, a day after returning to the management. [CELLTRION] Celltrion is working to further develop its own drug repertoire, not just that of its drug biosimilars. About 40 percent of its annual revenues will come from original drugs in 2030, with the remaining 60 percent from traditional cash cow biosimilar products. These were a few of the plans announced by founder Seo Jung-jin as part of his efforts to help Celltrion shares rebound from its years of being in a slump. Seo was appointed as the co-chairman of Celltrion Holdings and three listed Celltrion companies — Celltrion, Celltrion Pharm and Celltrion Healthcare — during a shareholder meeting Tuesday, after two years after he walked away from the management. His return came upon the request of current management executives as Celltrion shares more than halved from their peak, and shares of Celltrion Pharm … [Read more...] about Celltrion to refine its own drug repertoire to recover from slump
Name Change Celebrates Inclusive Future For Seattle Audubon Society
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin The non-profit organisation, Seattle Audubon Society, has formally changed its name and will now be known as Birds Connect Seattle © Copyright by GrrlScientist | hosted by Forbes Last August, I told you about the Seattle Audubon Society , a community-based bird conservation and birding organisation where I was a member, and its decision to change its name to be more inclusive to people from all walks of life (more here ). They’ve made their choice to formally change their name to “Birds Connect Seattle”. That’s quite a mouthful, isn’t it? This bold decision contrasts with the National Audubon Society ’s recent decision, reached after one year of deliberations, namely, not to change their name. “I understand people may be wondering how that is possible if ‘Audubon’ remains in our name. That is a question the Board has grappled with, and ultimately, they decided that the organization transcends … [Read more...] about Name Change Celebrates Inclusive Future For Seattle Audubon Society
The Happiest Place On Earth? Not For 7,000 Disney Employees As They Begin First Round Of Layoffs
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Key takeaways An internal memo revealed Disney’s three-stage plan for implementing 7,000-strong job cuts announced in February The layoffs are part of Disney’s $5.5 billion restructuring plan to cut costs and boost its ailing streaming services Some glimmers of hope for Disney stock investors as its parks show a strong performance Disney is in the doldrums. With a less-than-stellar earnings call last month and mass layoffs planned, CEO Bob Iger has a big job on his hands before a new chief executive is appointed in 2025. The embattled House of Mouse shared an internal memo this week detailing how the job cuts would pan out across the business, with the metaverse team being one of the first casualties. But the move and Disney’s planned $5.5 billion cost-savings plan might not be enough to sway Wall Street. While Disney’s short-term future looks bleak, it’s not necessarily out for the count. We’ve gone … [Read more...] about The Happiest Place On Earth? Not For 7,000 Disney Employees As They Begin First Round Of Layoffs
About 7,000 Russians and Ukrainians stranded in Thailand
PHOTO: A group on Patong Beach protest the invasion of Ukraine that has left thousands of Russians and Ukrainians stranded. (via NNT) While it’s common to discuss the influx of Russians as they pour into the country and are investing more and more in villas and homes , it’s easy to forget about the thousands of people who are not staying by choice in Thailand. Around 7,000 Russians and Ukrainians are currently stranded in Thailand due to the ongoing war between the two countries. Many of them are in Phuket, an island that used to attract seven million overseas visitors every year. The collapse of tourism due to the pandemic has already caused a lot of damage, and, while the island is welcoming back tourism now, the situation with stranded Russian and Ukrainian tourists looms in the background. The Russians have become the largest group of foreign visitors in Phuket, with around 17,000 arriving in December for example. Signs in Cyrillic script and restaurants … [Read more...] about About 7,000 Russians and Ukrainians stranded in Thailand