One of the reasons we did this work is because we saw this happening to people who were perceived as really high performers. In the study, 14 percent of workers said they had experienced mental fatigue that results from excessive use of, interaction with, and/or oversight of AI tools beyond one's cognitive capacity.
Organizations have reported heightened cybersecurity risks as a result of these skill shortages, but the issues don't end there. Many teams will also experience burnout, which is an issue for security teams even in the best of times, which can only add to the talent gap concern if burnt out employees leave the industry.
There's one unifying reason why employees actually show up for work every single day. The pay. It's as simple as that. But is there such a thing as a job perk so good that it would make up for a pay cut from what you are currently earning? According to a survey conducted by Youngstown State University, of 1,000 employees in the U.S., there are actually two things that Americans would consider worthy of a pay cut: a remote or hybrid workplace or a four-day workweek.
In 2024, Brian Niccol took over as the CEO of Starbucks. With his arrival, he promised a big revamp, - dubbed "Back to Starbucks" - that emphasized the overall experience a person has from when they enter Starbucks to when they receive their order. Niccol's strategy is customer-centered, including initiatives like the return of a classic, in-store café feature and an the updated message-writing policy that requires baristas to write cutesy messages on the cups.
Meet the budget-friendly promotion: more work, same pay. It's a common phenomenon for many workers. One day you're updating spreadsheets and shadowing meetings. Next, you're suddenly scheduling boardroom calls and taking on a team of your own. The responsibility piles on, but your paycheck still looks grim when it comes to splurging on the weekends. That's a "quiet promotion." And as more economic concerns drive smaller compensation budgets-silent workload changes are becoming more common.
We received requests for this from Sales, Marketing, and customer surveys - after all, every B2B or B2C company needs its own mobile app, right? But I walked away from the research feeling shaken. The people we interviewed were excited about the app concept - not because it would decrease their workload or simplify anything, but because they could use it to work more.
Many startups in the US are adopting the '996' work schedule, a demanding 72-hour week, becoming widespread despite its controversial reputation and ties to worker exploitation in China.
"Leadership is becoming a tougher job every day. While organizations can't control the deluge of external challenges they face this year, strategic HR executives can build resilience by using trusted people analytics to forecast needs, build their bench, and reinvigorate the next generation of leaders."
As employee burnout rates soar, companies are losing billions to decreased productivity, absenteeism and high turnover. Long hours and chronic stress are fueling a workplace health crisis.
Security isn't just about technology - it's about people. Security teams are made up of professionals with diverse backgrounds and skill sets, all working toward the same objective: stopping threats.
