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Newsweek
22-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Map Shows States Where People Are the Most Anti-Social at Work
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A new study found that where you live may have an impact when it comes to getting along with your co-workers, with some U.S. states reporting a higher number of people without friends in the workplace than others. Why It Matters Friendships at work can play a major role in how satisfied you are in your job and career. It can also reduce turnover and help employees earn promotions or mentorship opportunities. A recent report from ezCater found that 80 percent of surveyed employees said having friends at work makes them feel more engaged. However, only 43 percent of remote employees had a close work friend. What To Know A survey of 2,000 U.S. workers by Bingo Card Creator has found that one in four Americans report having no friends at work. Where you live could play a role in that. Wyoming was found to be the state with the highest percentage of anti-social workers, with 67 percent of residents reporting having no friends at work. In second place, Utah residents reported having no friends at work, and 50 percent of those in the third state, Maine, said the same. "In places like Wyoming, Utah, and Maine, geography and culture may both play a role," HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek. "There are often rural or sparsely populated areas where the workforce may be more distributed, with fewer in-person touchpoints to organically build workplace friendships. Workplace culture in some of these states may lean more traditional or transactional - folks may simply go to work to get the job done, not to socialize," Driscoll said. Also in the top 10 states with the most anti-social workers were Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Vermont, North Carolina, Nevada and Oklahoma, which all saw 35 percent or more of respondents with no friends in the workplace. "While no one is likely shocked by Wyoming ranking higher given its sparse terrain and fewer jobs because of it, places like Utah and North Carolina may come as more of a surprise, as they've been hot destinations in recent years for new residents moving for better employment opportunities," Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek. Some states were filled with social butterflies, though. Only 6 percent of Nebraska residents had no friends at work. In Kansas, this percentage was just 10 percent, while West Virginia residents reported 15 percent. File photo of an employee working alone on a computer in Tokyo, Japan. File photo of an employee working alone on a computer in Tokyo, NEC Corporation What People Are Saying Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "'Anti-social' is not always a bad thing, necessarily, especially in an era of more remote and hybrid roles where there's less in-person interaction and more secluded working environments. The issue is more anti-social workspaces are tied to less collaboration and innovation. Ultimately, it's about personality types, and for some, states being more anti-social at work will prove alluring, and for others, not so much." HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek: "Being anti-social at work doesn't mean people are unfriendly. It may reflect shifting priorities, burnout, or simply a desire to separate professional and personal life more sharply." Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: "It likely comes down to a mix of population size and homeownership logistics. In many of the lower-ranking states, people may live far from their co-workers, making it harder to build relationships outside of work. Proximity matters when it comes to developing deeper connections." What Happens Next While there are many reasons employees might have few or no friends at work, the less social a workplace is, the greater the potential for turnover, experts say. "The implications are real, though," Driscoll said. "Employees with no close friends at work tend to be less engaged and more likely to leave. For employers, it's a reminder that connection still matters, even if the watercooler is virtual."
Newsweek
16-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Map Shows Best States for Entry Level Jobs
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Every year, around 4 million students graduate from college and enter the workforce in search of a high-paying entry-level job. According to a new report from NetCredit, not all states offer the same level of opportunities. NetCredit ranked the states based on entry-level job vacancies on and MIT's living wage calculator and discovered that 40 percent of entry-level jobs in the United States don't meet the living wage for their areas. Why It Matters Salary matters significantly for entry-level workers, but the cost of living in certain cities can impact how far money can stretch and overall quality of life as well. By taking into account both factors, workers can enjoy a salary that aligns with their city's cost of living for housing, food, transportation, and more. What To Know The best states for entry-level jobs offering salaries above the local living wage were Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Wyoming and Ohio. All of the cities had at least 79 percent of all entry-level job listings offering salaries above the local living wage, with a whopping 92 percent of all entry-level jobs in Minnesota meeting the state's cost of living. Some cities also had better entry-level options for workers than others. The top city was Bakersfield, California, where 100 percent of the new job listings met the local living wage. Bakersfield was the only city where this was the case. "Bakersfield hitting 100 percent is pretty amazing," Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of told Newsweek. "Every single entry-level job there pays a living wage. And honestly? The Midwest dominance wasn't something most people saw coming. We're so used to thinking coastal cities are where the opportunities are." Graduation students, faculty, and family gather in Harvard Yard on May 28, 2025, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Graduation students, faculty, and family gather in Harvard Yard on May 28, 2025, in Cambridge, North Dakota; Toledo, Ohio; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Detroit, Michigan, also had high percentages of entry-level jobs offering above the local living wage. The top five cities' job listings all exceeded 84 percent in meeting the city's cost of living. "Bakersfield honestly shocked me. It's proof that even in high-cost states, employers can meet the bar. They just usually choose not to," HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek. "Entry-level job doesn't have to mean underpaid and overworked. Recent grads should demand better, look beyond prestige markets like New York or LA. The best opportunity might be in a place you hadn't considered." What People Are Saying Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "What's troubling is that in the entire country, only one city—Bakersfield, California—has 100 percent of its entry-level jobs that start at or above the local living wage... "We know a record number of younger Americans are starting out single and are having to rely on their income to cover most or all of their own expenses. While wages are higher in many cities and states compared to five years ago, we still have many areas of the country where entry-level work will not keep someone's head above financial water." Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: "Grads may face a tradeoff: take a higher-paying job in a less appealing area or earn a little less to live somewhere with better weather or quality of life. Either way, the job market will have to adjust. Companies will need to raise wages to attract talent in pricier areas or make the case for why their location is worth the tradeoff. Quality of life is starting to matter just as much as the paycheck." Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of told Newsweek: "Don't sleep on 'second-tier' cities. Your dollar stretches further, your quality of life might actually be better, and you're not competing with quite as many people for the same opportunities." HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek: "What stands out most is how rare it is for entry-level work to pay a true living wage—and how the fight for $15 is clearly already out of date. Even the best-performing state barely clears 90 percent. "That's a failing grade when workers have to work more than one job to live in their community. The U.S. labor market is so deeply tilted toward employers that we now celebrate when 70 percent of jobs meet the minimum needed to survive." What Happens Next Graduates seeking entry-level roles are encouraged to consider the job offer's entire package, not just its base salary. "A $45,000 job in Minneapolis might give you a better lifestyle than a $55,000 job in a high-cost coastal city," Ryan said. "This data reveals a pretty significant geographic divide in economic opportunity. We're seeing the emergence of 'opportunity deserts' where young people literally can't afford to start their careers in certain cities."
Newsweek
16-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Most Workers Value Remote Work Over Money—Poll
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. While many companies have transitioned back to fully in-person workforces, the lingering effects of remote work have led many employees to demand work-from-home flexibility, even more so than higher pay. According to a new report from Cisco, 63 percent of employees stated that they would accept a pay cut to work remotely more frequently. Why It Matters Remote work surged in popularity since the coronavirus pandemic. While it was first seen as a necessity to curb the spread of the virus, it now has a strong hold on the larger workforce as employees demand increased flexibility. Nearly all, or 95 percent, of working professionals want some type of remote work, and 63 percent said remote work is the most important aspect of their job, even more important than salary, according to a recent FlexJobs report. What To Know While the majority, 72 percent, of organizations in Cisco's survey reported having return-to-office (RTO) mandates, employees are increasingly pushing for more remote work and increased flexibility. The sentiment toward employers enforcing RTO mandates is largely negative, with 77 percent of employees saying the mandates stem from a lack of trust in remote productivity. And 81 percent of employers agreed with this statement as well. "Employees are demanding flexibility not as a perk, but as a baseline," HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek. "And companies that refuse to evolve will lose talent. Culture isn't a ping pong table and beer on tap. If that's what a company is providing, HR isn't listening. Employees want balance, trust, and some control back. You hired them to do a job, now trust them to do it." Remote work quickly became a transformative force in the American workplace during the COVID-19 pandemic. With offices shuttered nationwide, employers rapidly shifted to let employees work from home, sparking a reassessment of where, how and why work gets done The arrangement offered newfound flexibility and eliminated daily commutes, fundamentally altering job expectations for millions. Stock image of a woman working from home. Stock image of a woman working from home. Getty Images Post-pandemic, the popularity of remote work remained high, particularly among younger generations and entry-level workers. National surveys have shown that Gen Z employees, many of whom entered the workforce during remote-only periods, strongly value autonomy and work-life balance. The impact of working from home has extended beyond productivity. A third of Gen Z respondents in an EduBirdie poll indicated remote work even influences aspects of personal and social life, with 31 percent saying they feared a return to the office would negatively affect their sex lives. "Companies will have to adjust especially if they want to attract and keep top talent," Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek. "Some industries may require in-office work due to confidentiality or client sensitivity, but if even one competitor offers remote flexibility, others will have to respond. You can't afford to lose great people over something as trivial as where they work." Workers admit that there are many pros to working in the office, with 86 percent of Cisco's employee respondents stating that it's crucial for career advancement. Even still, 78 percent of high performers reported considering leaving due to RTO mandates. Organizations have begun reversing remote-friendly policies. State governments likewise have ordered employees back to in-person work, citing benefits such as collaboration and innovation. Major companies, such as Amazon, Disney, and JPMorgan, have issued similar mandates. Nevertheless, many workers report higher job satisfaction and performance while working remotely. What People Are Saying Fran Katsoudas, Cisco's EVP and chief people, policy, and purpose officer, in a statement: "We have to remember, flexibility doesn't mean that everyone is working remotely all the time. It means that there's an ability to take into consideration the needs of every individual. And one of the big ah-hah's from the study is that flexibility makes top performers perform better." Drew Powers, the founder of Illinois-based Powers Financial Group, told Newsweek: "It's one thing to indicate on a poll that you would accept a pay cut, it's quite another to follow through. It does signify how much we value the flexible work model. Pre-pandemic, a flexible work schedule was the holy grail of office jobs." HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek: "we've seen data like this for years and it's been consistent. For workers, it's not just about convenience, though that's part of it. It's an indictment of traditional workplace culture. People are so overworked, over-surveilled, and under-trusted that they're willing to give up money for a shred of autonomy." Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: "Remote work offers flexibility, and for many it's a net financial benefit. You're no longer sitting in traffic, racking up miles on your car, paying tolls, or buying lunch every day. These savings can be significant over time, not to mention the mental breathing room provided." Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "Some may look at this statistic as proof that remote work is easier than an in-person job, it's important to take into account the cost savings of working from home when compared to going into the office. Remote work equates to days not having to spend time or money caught in there's less stress when having to go into the office for some, but the financial benefits could also play a role in why some would consider taking less pay to enjoy the feature." What Happens Next While some companies will inevitably adjust their remote work policies to remain competitive and attract top talent, employees may need to consider the broader implications of demanding remote work above all else. "There is a trade-off every employee should consider, however," Powers said. "If your office job can be done from your home, could it also be done by a remote worker in another country? In other words, by not returning to the office, are you signaling that your position could be outsourced? It is a real consideration every employee will have to account for going forward."
Newsweek
12-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Third of Gen Zers Polled Fret Over Return to Office for Surprising Reason
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Many companies are still in the process of issuing return-to-office mandates, but Gen Zers are worried these changes could make a significant impact on their lives—specifically their sex lives. In a new EduBirdie survey, one in three Gen Zers believe returning to the office would harm their romantic lives. The younger generation is worried the amount of sex they'd be having could considerably drop compared to when working remotely, due to long commutes and less work/life balance. Why It Matters Office attendance has risen since the coronavirus pandemic, when offices largely shut down and remote work became the norm. Recent data from Kastle System revealed the national average peak day attendance is 62.2 percent. Chicago, New York City and three Texas cities (Dallas, Houston, Austin) all saw significantly higher percentages. But there's still pushback from workers, and with Gen Z making up most of the entry level positions, their reluctance could trigger workplace turnover and talent gaps. A woman is pictured working from a hammock on January 12, 2010, in Varkala, near Trivandrum, Kerala, India. A woman is pictured working from a hammock on January 12, 2010, in Varkala, near Trivandrum, Kerala, India. EyesWideOpen/Getty Images What To Know Approximately 31 percent of poll respondents belonging to Gen Z, an age group defined as being born from 1997 to 2012, said they feared a return to the office would negatively affect their sex lives. Remote work appeared to play a significant role in the younger generation having more sex, with 47 percent of Gen Zers saying they're having more sex while working remotely as a result of more flexible schedules. The survey, based on 2,000 Gen Z responses, found that 30 percent schedule time for sex, and even more, 38 percent, wished their office had a private space for hookups. Another recent survey from discovered that companies are rapidly firing Gen Z employees just months after hiring them. A whopping six in 10 employers had already fired recent college graduates who were hired in 2024. One in seven said they might refrain from hiring new college grads next year as well. This, alongside workers' reluctance to return to the office, could reflect a larger gap between Gen Z and their employer's workplace expectations. What People Are Saying HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek: "Gen Z isn't shy about prioritizing pleasure over capitalism. Remote work gave them autonomy, privacy, and time. RTO threatens all three. When you strip away flexibility, you're killing morale and interrupting routines that include everything from therapy to midday hookups." Alex Beene, financial literacy instructor at the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "It's no surprise some in Gen Z are concerned about an upheaval to their personal lives by a return to the office. Much like money management, though, the transition requires maturity in discussions with your partner and family. For decades, couples were able to balance intimacy at home and work in an office; it's fair to say a belief it can no longer work isn't being realistic." What Happens Next Because companies have blurred the lines between work and home life for many years, Driscoll said, many Gen Zers are probably having sex on the clock, whether they're in office or remote. "The deeper point here is that RTO is about control, not productivity," Driscoll said. "And Gen Z knows it. They're not afraid to say the quiet part out loud. Forced office time kills productivity, creativity, and it messes with your life, your body, and your relationships."
Newsweek
11-06-2025
- Newsweek
Gen Z Most Likely to Suffer Extortion Scams
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. While Gen Z might have grown up immersed in technology, they are now the number one target for extortion scammers, according to a new report. In Malwarebytes's new Mobile Scam Report, Gen Z was deemed the top extortion target, with 28 percent of the age group experiencing extortion scams. This was far higher than both Gen X and baby boomers, at 15 and 7 percent, respectively. Why It Matters Extortion scams are criminal schemes where the fraudster attempts to blackmail a victim for money or personal information. While scammers might threaten physical harm, the digital age has ushered in a new type of scammer, with many targeting younger people with threats of releasing sexually explicit photographs or videos to the world. They also may claim to be the police, requesting money or personal data if the victim wants to avoid arrest. In this photo illustration, a 13-year-old boy looks at an iPhone screen display on May 21 in Bath, England. In this photo illustration, a 13-year-old boy looks at an iPhone screen display on May 21 in Bath, To Know In 2023, the FBI reported 48,000 extortion victims, a 22 percent jump from 2022, and many of the victims are Gen Zers. Those born in the generation—from 1997 to 2012—were more likely to encounter extortion scams than older age groups. Roughly 58 percent of Gen Z and 52 percent of millennials had countered an extortion scam, whereas only 35 percent and 23 percent of Gen X and boomers had, according to the new Malwarebytes report. Gen Z was also much more likely to actually fall for the scams, with 28 percent experiencing one. Roughly 13 percent of these scams were virtual kidnapping, while another 13 percent were attributed to deepfakes. Sextortion cases made up 11 percent. "The woman asked for a small amount of money which I was reluctant to give, but she harassed me, so I decided to," one Gen Z survey respondent said. "Then she wanted to send me money to send to her friend. I accepted the money, but then alarms went off and I never sent it to her friend. I later learned about money mules. She then threatened to kill me because I had taken $1k when she only got $300. I then blocked her and called the police because I was scared." Much of the higher risk for Gen Z and millennials comes down to how they use their digital devices. By sharing personal data with apps and websites, fraudsters are able to more easily target them. "This isn't a Gen Z problem - it's a societal and political failure," Bryan Driscoll, HR consultant who specializes in generational differences, told Newsweek. "Parents, schools, tech companies, and policymakers have dropped the ball. We failed to teach boundaries, privacy, or skepticism. Instead, we taught them to post everything, trust algorithms, and chase validation in likes and follows." Roughly 90 percent of mobile users shared deep levels of personal data with apps and websites, according to the survey. And younger users were the most permissive, with 91 percent of Gen Zers and millennials saying they grant apps access to their location, camera, photo library, and/or contacts compared to 80 percent for Gen X and older. "A generation - and society - that normalizes surveillance, has a fractured sense of privacy, and is increasingly vulnerable to manipulation is doomed," Driscoll said. "If we don't build genuine protections - and it doesn't look like we're going to based on current federal policy proposals to explicitly ban any AI regulation for a decade - this will only get worse." What People Are Saying Alex Beene, financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "There's a misconception that older Americans are most in danger when it comes to mobile scams. The reality is Gen Z finds themselves at the top of most rankings when it comes to falling for digital deception. While they may be younger and more tech savvy, Gen Z are also connected to their devices more frequently and may fall for scams based on impulse." Driscoll also told Newsweek: "I'm not surprised Gen Z is the top target. It's the logical outcome of growing up with the world at your fingertips without appropriate digital literacy or regulation to match. The platforms Gen Z has known their entire lives are designed to manipulate behavior, harvest data, and reward oversharing. We've handed them the internet with no roadmap or guardrails and then act shocked when predators, scammers, and AI exploit that vulnerability." Drew Powers, founder of Illinois-based Powers Financial Group, told Newsweek: "When you first hear this, it may seem counterintuitive given that Gen Z has grown up with the Internet, social media, and mobile communications, but it actually makes perfect sense. Baby Boomers and Generation X can vividly recall the days before the Internet, and therefore we have a built-in distrust around most anonymous electronic communications. Gen Z on the other hand, is far more comfortable with and trusting of these platforms." What Happens Next To lower the rate of younger Americans falling for extortion scams, an increased emphasis likely needs to be on teaching literacy for younger generations. Just because they grew up with technology does not mean they are more prepared against scams, Beene said. "We need to quit assuming this group can navigate through digital waters because of their youth and experience with technology," Beene said. "If anything, the younger you are, the more you need to go through training on potential scams that could target your identity and money."
