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Federal employees have until 11:59 p.m. to decide whether to take a deferred resignation offer, which the Trump administration says would allow workers to leave their jobs yet retain pay and benefits through the end of September. The credibility and legality of this unprecedented proposal has since been widely challenged, as the administration hasnt received budget authorization from Congress for any buyout program. The Wall Street Journal reports that more than 40,000 employees, or about 2% of the federal workforce, have taken the offer as of February 5, a number far below the 510% target set by the Trump administration. One worker who just finished a multiyear contract with the Department of Commerce, and whose employment was personally unaffected by the resignation offer, says she worries that this will be the most massive brain-drain in U.S. history, and the result of employer-led abuse. (Fast Company has agreed to not use her name due to fear of retaliation, but has verified her identity.) Federal employees describe a workplace of plummeting morale and ratcheting anxiety. Some are still considering whether to take the buyout and alleviate the suspense about potential future layoffs. (Nearly all USAID staffers have been put on leave, following an announcement on February 7, and more than 400 contractors were laid off a week before.) Others say they wont be swayed, even amid the stress and threats. Bracing for further backlash and retaliation as tonights deadline passes, employees are sharing around a private document of resources with the names of legal aid organizations, employment rights groups, attorneys, and Congressional contacts. An employee at the Federal Trade Commission, who also did not want to be named for fear of retaliation, told Fast Company that a lot of us are terrified of speaking, but were bursting at the seams. Workers are trying to continue on with business as usual, but the threat of losing their jobs is holding up progress. Sources Fast Company spoke with reported updating their résumés or putting in the bare minimum until its clear what will happen after 11:59 p.m. tonight. Some say theyre downloading performance evaluation scores, fearing that they may be illicitly edited to provide grounds for dismissal later on. Many of those who are refusing to take the deferred resignation say theyre doing so in a spirit of defiance. The top post on the Reddit forum r/fednews is a declaration, which has been upvoted 16,000 times, deeming February 6 Hold the Line Day,” where each year we will celebrate the federal employees who have dedicated themselves to holding the line by ignoring and rejecting the markedly illegal and harassing emails from [the Office of Personnel Management]. Commenters write about their resolve in spite of fear and anxiety. I know it [sic] were being pushed down and demoralized right nowbut please stay the course, one poster writes. Its so confusing and wrong on so many levels. Dont quit. You mean a great deal to this country. Your dedication and love for our country will stand the test of time. Its an extremely sad and confusing time for all of us. No better time than now for all of us to stick together. In response to the OPMs buyout offer email, whose subject line was Fork in the Road, some federal workers are also adopting spoons as a symbol of defiance. Getting a job in the private sector isnt a worry for the federal employees who spoke to Fast Company. In fact, many are confident they can find jobs in the private sector that pay significantly more. But for many who choose to work for the government, thats not the point. People who do this work do it because of the mission, the former contractor says. The FTC worker says hes not going to take the buyout because hes curious to see what it will be like on the other side of the deadline. Moreover, hes not willing to be intimidated by what he believes are scare tactics. Theyre gonna have to shake me off like a tick on a cows ass, he says.
Category:
E-Commerce
Entrepreneurial couples and co-founding duos share a unique bond whether theyre bound by marriage or business. Their synergy often stems from shared passions, complementary skills, and the drive to build something meaningful. But the reality is that co-founding a business with someone romantic partner or not isnt always easy. From aligning strategic visions to juggling multiple responsibilities, the pressures of scaling a company can wear on even the strongest partnerships. Yet, entrepreneurial couples offer a blueprint for success precisely because their personal and professional lives are deeply intertwined. As such, they have to adapt, compromise, and communicate on a profound level, and any co-founding duo can learn valuable lessons from how these couples navigate the challenges that come their way while maintaining empathy for one another. Business partners, much like married couples, face a distinct set of hurdles that can test the very core of their relationship. In many ways, running a startup with someone mirrors the commitment of till death do us part. Youre tied together not just by formal agreements but also by the emotional investment you each bring to the table. Its not surprising, then, that up to 43% of startup founders ultimately buy out their co-founders due to interpersonal rifts and power struggles. After all, co-founding a business is essentially a marriage in its own right one sealed by a business license instead of a marriage license. Yet, when it works, it can be remarkable. In fact, teams with more than one founder outperform solo founders by an overwhelming 163%. One of the biggest pitfalls for co-founders, much like for couples, is misaligned vision. Whether youre running a household or running a company, there must be a shared sense of purpose and direction. Many disputes boil down to role ambiguity, unclear expectations, and competing definitions of success. If one partner aims for aggressive growth while the other prioritizes sustainable expansion, friction is inevitable. Communication breakdowns and power struggles often follow, which can leave each partner feeling unheard. Time and again, in my work with both entrepreneurial couples and co-founding duos, we see that a foundational alignment on key initiatives and a willingness to resolve conflict collaboratively go a long way toward fostering a healthy partnership. So, how exactly do entrepreneurial couples make it work, and what can every co-founder learn from them? Here are a few tips: Be proactive Dont wait until problems arise One of the biggest lessons we can learn from entrepreneurial couples is the importance of addressing potential pitfalls before they become major issues. Whether its clarifying roles or scheduling regular check-ins, proactive communication is the glue that holds a relationship together. Rather than assuming everything is fine, schedule structured time to discuss both strategic decisions and personal stressors. By surfacing small grievances early, you prevent them from snowballing into larger conflicts. Understand How Your Familial Dynamics Affect Your Leadership Style Our upbringing and family backgrounds shape not only how we relate to our loved ones but also how we lead, collaborate, and handle conflict. Perhaps you grew up in a home where disagreements were swept under the rug, or maybe you learned to be hyper-assertive just to have a say. These patterns can quickly resurface when the stakes are high in a co-founding situation. Entrepreneurial couples have an edge because theyre forced to recognize and often reconcile these familial tendencies on a daily basis. In my work with both couples and co-founders, Ive found that while the details of each therapy session may vary, the underlying principles remain the same: acknowledging deeply rooted family dynamics is the key to maintaining unity in any partnership. Identify your emotional triggers Even the most forward-thinking founders can falter if theyre not aware of the emotional triggers that fuel their reactions. Stress, fear, or insecurity can all ignite disproportionate responses. The first step is noticing the signs: a racing heartbeat, clenched fists, or a sudden urge to interrupt someone. Once you identify these red flags, you can practice pausing to breathe and reframing the situation. For entrepreneurial couples, this might mean stepping away to gather your thoughts, while for any co-founding duo, its about creating space for empathy and calm conversations. Create a strategic alignment plan Finally, business partners who take time to create a clear strategic alignment plan from outlining shared goals to defining individual roles set themselves up for smoother collaboration. This roadmap not only keeps you accountable but also helps you spot misalignments before they evolve into gaps that you cant reconcile. Entrepreneurial couples have to merge life plans and business ambitions in real time, so they often learn to break down goals into manageable steps and assign responsibilities based on each partners strengths. By taking a similar approach, youll enjoy a much more harmonious working relationship with your co-founder along the way. For entrepreneurs of any kind, remember that the strength of your relationships can make or break your success. Your most valuable asset isnt just the product or service you offer; its the people who help bring your vision to life. Invest in those partnerships first, and watch how every facet of your business thrives as a result.
Category:
E-Commerce
Are you suffering from Zoom fatigue?” Exhausted from being on video calls multiple times a week, or even every day? Well, it may be because you’re sick of looking at your own face, according to a new study. That study, from researchers at Michigan State University and published in the journal PLOS One, discovered that facial appearance dissatisfaction” could explain the weariness people are experiencing when using videoconferencing technology. Our increased reliance on virtual meetings in the workplace, especially with the rise of remote work, means we are spending a lot more time on camera, which has significant implications for workplace productivity and individual well-being, according to the researchers. Our study highlights that dissatisfaction with facial appearance contributes to Zoom fatigue, leading to reduced adoption of virtual meeting technologies,” said study author Chaeyun Lim of Michigan State University. The study also looked at impression management features, which are tools that enable users to adjust their self-video to manage their appearance, and found that dissatisfaction with facial appearance “also drives the use of impression management features, emphasizing the need to address worker well-being in virtual communication environments.” In other words, researchers found that individuals who didn’t like how they looked had more Zoom fatigue and saw virtual meetings as less useful, leading them to be less interested in adopting the technology. Taken together, the findings shed light on why some people are less likely to want to attend virtual meetings. The study involved 2,448 U.S.-based workers answering a 15-minute survey. The group included professional, technical, and scientific workers who worked remotely at least part of the time and regularly attended virtual meetings for work. It’s not the first study about negative feelings associated with virtual meetings. Another study from Austrian researchers in 2023 examined the effects of videoconferencing directly on the brain and heart. In that study, electrodes were stuck on the heads and chests of 35 students who took part in 50-minute lectures through videoconference and in person. According to the brain and heart readings, students had significantly greater levels of fatigue, drowsiness, negativity, and sadness, and less attention, after videoconferencing than after in-person lectures. So, what’s the solution? Individuals and organizations can adopt practices such as scheduling regular breaks, according to Graz University of Technology’s René Riedl, co-senior author of the Austrian study. Based on our research results, we recommend a break after 30 minutes, because we found that after 50 minutes of videoconferencing, significant changes in physiological and subjective fatigue could be observed. Moreover, utilizing features like speaker view to mitigate the intensity of perceived continuous eye contact could be helpful.
Category:
E-Commerce
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