81% of Workers Opt for a Four-Day Work Per Week

4M 

The ongoing pandemic's impact on the workforce persists, with up to 4 million Americans unable to work due to long Covid symptoms, equating to 1.8% of the US labor force, as per a Brookings Institution study. Symptoms like brain fog and fatigue contribute to this workforce gap, with estimated annual earnings loss amounting to around $168 billion. This situation exacerbates existing labor shortages and inflation concerns in various industries. 

81% 

Around 81% of full-time workers and job seekers favor a four-day work week over the conventional five-day setup, and 89% are prepared to compromise for this shift, as revealed by a Bankrate survey of 2,367 adults in July. Over half are open to extended hours, 37% would change industries, and 27% are willing to increase in-person work, showcasing the enduring appeal of flexible Covid-era work structures. 

10,000  

Initial US jobless claims fell by 10,000 to 230,000, partially due to 3,700 claims from fire-affected Hawaii. However, ongoing weekly filings rose by 4,659 to 1.8 million, underscoring persistent labor market difficulties. July saw an addition of 187,000 jobs, a stark contrast to the 312,000 monthly average over the prior year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

10% 

Analysis by a leave management software provider reveals that August 24 is the day with the most sick leaves in the US, surpassing even the winter cold and flu season. February claims the title for the sickest month, as around 10% of the workforce takes sick leave, mostly due to stomach issues (54%), surpassing COVID-19 (25%) and other conditions. 

7% 

T-Mobile's CEO announced a workforce reduction of around 7%, affecting 5,000 positions primarily in corporate and tech roles, aiming for cost-cutting. This move contrasts with the creation of 100 new jobs from new retail outlets in North Carolina.