This post includes stories on curbing your smartphone addiction, the various tactics being used to combat low employment and Google’s new jobs initiatives. That’s a lot of great stuff to read while waiting for your second coffee to brew.
Stop chasing the digital dragon
From hampering your productivity at work to putting up virtual walls between you and your loved ones, smartphone addiction is a real thing. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can fight it.
One way might be to get the new Apple Watch. The wearable tech device allows you to stay connected so you won’t miss important emails, texts or phone calls. However, the watch has such a small screen – you’re not going to be tempted to use it on time-wasters like Instagram and Facebook.
If you’re not looking to spend $300 on a watch to curb your habit, there are a few app-based solutions that can be had for much cheaper. The Breakfree app calculates the amount of time you spend on your phone and uses it to give you an “addiction score” meant to shame you into using your phone less.
Moment is another app that looks to break users free of their digital chains. This app, however, takes a much more aggressive approach and turns your phone red after three hours of use in a single day. Users opting for a premium account can go through a “Phone Bootcamp” designed to wean them off of their device.
Adjusting production in a tough labor market
While today’s low unemployment numbers are good news for workers – they’re a tough reality that businesses have to cope with. Not only are open positions difficult to fill in this labor market, there’s also a greater risk that employees will get poached by another employer.
One approach to combating this talent shortage is finding a way to employ individuals on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Various programs are appearing to both support workers with disabilities and offer a route to bring them back into the workplace.
Another approach this labor market has been restructuring production, operating hours and employee shifts to better accommodate the demands of workers’ personal lives. Some companies are allowing employees to split their shift and insert a large break in the middle for childcare or other needs. Companies are also leveraging technology to cut down on travel and allow employees to work remotely.
Some employers are using a strategy known as “total talent management” to address their labor needs. This strategy involves using a blend of traditional full-time employees, contract workers, part-time workers and freelancers.
Google launching $1 billion worth of jobs initiatives
Just as it acts to eliminate jobs developing automation and efficiency technologies, Google has announced $1 billion in programs designed to train people for the jobs of tomorrow.
One program, called Grow with Google, will provide American workers with various Google products and in-person training. Another initiative will partner with Goodwill to provide digital job skills training to 1.2 million people over the next three years.
