The pandemic cost nearly 12 million jobs, says the Economic Policy Institute, and shockingly, about 80% of those affected were low-wage earners. These are the folks scrambling to make ends meet, those that were loyal and historically lured into staying at their job with promises of being part of a “work family.” But after the pandemic, that argument doesn’t really hold water. What if your parents came home one day and said, “Pack your things, get out, and good luck.” Let’s face it: you don’t kick your family to the curb.
Trust was broken, and post-pandemic employee benefits are in a bit of a pickle. Massive job cuts shattered the comforting “workplace is family” belief. With artificial intelligence (AI) and automation on the rise, more job losses are on the horizon — and it’s scary. Some companies still use the “sports team” idea to defend profit-first decisions. But their employees aren’t buying it, fearing they’re just seen as disposable.
