Latest news with #MicheleWilliams
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
AI is watching, layoffs are rising — inside the terrifying new era of office paranoia
What Is Paranoid Attribution? Why Is Workplace Paranoia Happening Now? Live Events How to Know You're Being Fired Before Being Told? How to Save Yourself Amid Layoffs? FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel You're walking through the office, and your manager doesn't say hello, the snack in the office becomes worse, the office gets warmer, or your Slack message goes unread a little longer than usual, these instances for many workers today aren't just harmless moments, but they're warning signs, or at least, they feel like they call this 'paranoid attribution,' a psychological response where anxious employees begin to assign threatening meaning to normal workplace behavior, as per a report. This phenomenon is becoming increasingly common in today's corporate culture as workers are constantly fearing that they might get laid off.A professor of management and entrepreneurship at the University of Iowa, Michele Williams, explained that "Workers are feeling disempowered," and pointed out that this was seen even during the 2008 recession and is now back again, as quoted by Business Insider. Williams described the feeling, "If the boss walks by and doesn't say 'hi,' are they planning to fire me, as opposed to the boss was just busy that day and just didn't notice you?" and added that, "They're looking for these social cues and overinterpreting social cues because of that insecurity," as quoted in the READ: Dogecoin and Shiba Inu skyrocket as meme coins explode during crypto market boom This feeling of paranoia is not just happening out of the blue, but it is happening because of the economic conditions like inflation that have led to layoffs, and structural shifts like AI adoption, return-to-office mandates, and performance pressure, according to the though the total number of layoffs is still low and mainly happening in white-collar sectors, hiring has slowed in the last year, the unemployment rate is still relatively low, and it has gotten much more difficult to get a new white-collar job, and promotions have reduced a lot, as per the Business Insider READ: Trump lied and didn't want Americans to know - Iran hit top-secret US communications dome at Qatar airbase A 28-year-old employee, Amber Smith, recognised that something was amiss when her IT support ticket would not process, as she had already endured one layoff early in the year, so when her systems suddenly froze, she didn't require an official email to understand that it was happening again, according to the Business Insider paranoia over employment uncertainty drove Smith out of the corporate world entirely as she's now self-employed as a content creator and reseller, reported Business Insider. She shared that, "I feel so much better because being self-employed, obviously, I'm not going to get laid off," as quoted in the READ: Trump's 35% tariff on Canada: Here's what will get more expensive for Americans — and what won't A 65-year-old worker, Mark Freeman, advised that, "As soon as they say, 'don't worry, no one's going to get laid off,' you should get your résumé out there and start looking, because you can't believe them," as quoted by Business Insider. He shared what he has learned in his 25 years of experience, that it is important to be agile and constantly looking for other job opportunities because waiting until after a layoff will mean you're already behind, as reported by Business signs might include budget cuts, reduced communication, or a sudden freeze on hiring, but sometimes, layoffs come without warning, as per the your resume updated, network regularly, and be ready to act because staying prepared can help reduce some of the stress, as per the Business Insider report.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
AI is watching, layoffs are rising — inside the terrifying new era of office paranoia
What Is Paranoid Attribution? Why Is Workplace Paranoia Happening Now? Live Events How to Know You're Being Fired Before Being Told? How to Save Yourself Amid Layoffs? FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel You're walking through the office, and your manager doesn't say hello, the snack in the office becomes worse, the office gets warmer, or your Slack message goes unread a little longer than usual, these instances for many workers today aren't just harmless moments, but they're warning signs, or at least, they feel like they call this 'paranoid attribution,' a psychological response where anxious employees begin to assign threatening meaning to normal workplace behavior, as per a report. This phenomenon is becoming increasingly common in today's corporate culture as workers are constantly fearing that they might get laid off.A professor of management and entrepreneurship at the University of Iowa, Michele Williams, explained that "Workers are feeling disempowered," and pointed out that this was seen even during the 2008 recession and is now back again, as quoted by Business Insider. Williams described the feeling, "If the boss walks by and doesn't say 'hi,' are they planning to fire me, as opposed to the boss was just busy that day and just didn't notice you?" and added that, "They're looking for these social cues and overinterpreting social cues because of that insecurity," as quoted in the READ: Dogecoin and Shiba Inu skyrocket as meme coins explode during crypto market boom This feeling of paranoia is not just happening out of the blue, but it is happening because of the economic conditions like inflation that have led to layoffs, and structural shifts like AI adoption, return-to-office mandates, and performance pressure, according to the though the total number of layoffs is still low and mainly happening in white-collar sectors, hiring has slowed in the last year, the unemployment rate is still relatively low, and it has gotten much more difficult to get a new white-collar job, and promotions have reduced a lot, as per the Business Insider READ: Trump lied and didn't want Americans to know - Iran hit top-secret US communications dome at Qatar airbase A 28-year-old employee, Amber Smith, recognised that something was amiss when her IT support ticket would not process, as she had already endured one layoff early in the year, so when her systems suddenly froze, she didn't require an official email to understand that it was happening again, according to the Business Insider paranoia over employment uncertainty drove Smith out of the corporate world entirely as she's now self-employed as a content creator and reseller, reported Business Insider. She shared that, "I feel so much better because being self-employed, obviously, I'm not going to get laid off," as quoted in the READ: Trump's 35% tariff on Canada: Here's what will get more expensive for Americans — and what won't A 65-year-old worker, Mark Freeman, advised that, "As soon as they say, 'don't worry, no one's going to get laid off,' you should get your résumé out there and start looking, because you can't believe them," as quoted by Business Insider. He shared what he has learned in his 25 years of experience, that it is important to be agile and constantly looking for other job opportunities because waiting until after a layoff will mean you're already behind, as reported by Business signs might include budget cuts, reduced communication, or a sudden freeze on hiring, but sometimes, layoffs come without warning, as per the your resume updated, network regularly, and be ready to act because staying prepared can help reduce some of the stress, as per the Business Insider report.
Business Insider
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Job anxiety has workers misreading everyday signals
Share Save Good morning. It's the last day of Amazon's Prime Day sale, so time is running out to snag some of the best deals of the summer. The Reviews team at BI has gathered the best discounts for your home, kitchen, closet, and more — and they've tested all the items, too. In today's big story, welcome to the age of office paranoia, where layoffs, AI, and job insecurity are terrorizing workers. What's on deck: Markets: JPMorgan says retail investors will lead a stock-buying spree in the second half of 2025. But first, we need to talk. If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. The big story Office paranoia Getty Images; Ava Horton/BI They think they're next. The company snacks are worse. The office air conditioning goes out. An unexpected meeting appeared on your calendar. The signs all point toward one thing: looming layoffs. Or not. Sometimes, things are just as mundane as they appear. It's what experts call " paranoid attribution," when employees read negative meaning into regular workplace occurrences. It's occurring in workforces across America. It's not hard to understand why: AI is threatening to take jobs, strict RTO orders are becoming more common, and the Great Flattening is coming for middle management. "Workers are feeling disempowered," said Michele Williams, a professor of management and entrepreneurship at the University of Iowa. "They're looking for these social cues and overinterpreting social cues because of that insecurity." Meanwhile, the reality is that layoff rates are still low — relative to historic levels — and remain concentrated in white-collar sectors, especially at big-name companies that dominate headlines. In other words, things may not be as bad as they seem. But the paranoia is still reshaping the workplace. The fear isn't good for anyone, BI's Juliana Kaplan writes. When employees are anxious about their career security, they probably aren't doing their best work. One worker that BI spoke with has completely changed her perspective on her career after getting laid off twice in two years. The first time was the day that she had arranged a return-to-office party for the workers reporting to her. "It's really hard to go to work every day and to know that you may not have a future here no matter how hard you work," she said. On the other hand, fear can be terribly efficient. When companies shift toward a more " hardcore" management style, they are generally banking on employees clinging to well-worn adages about becoming indispensable at work. Employees were supposed to become hyper-focused, not hyper-concerned. Now, staffers are looking at the corporate world a little differently — and some are turning their back on it altogether. 3 things in markets The hottest job in private equity: fundraising. Due to slumping returns in the sector, demand is high for professionals who can woo investors and keep them happy. BI spoke to four recruiters who shared the top jobs, skills, and experiences PE firms are looking for. Retail investors to the rescue. JPMorgan strategists say investors are poised to inject $500 billion into stocks for the rest of 2025, which will mostly come from retail. The bank estimates retail investors have purchased a net $270 billion worth of stocks so far this year. Another record under bitcoin's belt. The digital currency hit a fresh all-time high above $113,000 on Thursday, its second milestone in 24 hours. Analysts believe it has even higher to climb. 3 things in tech Amazon's got big ambitions for Starfish. An internal planning document from late 2024 obtained by BI details the e-commerce giant's multi-year Starfish project, which uses AI to enhance and increase product listings on Amazon's Marketplace. The document added that its eventual goal is to make Amazon the best source of " all product information worldwide." Tesla drivers might be getting a controversial backseat driver. Elon Musk announced that Grok, the chatbot built by xAI, would be available on Tesla's EVs by "next week at the latest." The launch comes after Grok posted a series of inflammatory posts on X, some of which were later deleted. The Big Apple takes on The Bay. New York City tech leaders are challenging San Francisco's dominance as the seat of the tech industry. More startup funding still flows to California, but fresh talent and government funding are heading to New York. 3 things in business Starbucks is making baristas write messages on cups. The coffee chain is trying to add more human connection to its storefront workflow — but is having a cute little message on your cup really worth it if the barista is forced to do it? BI's Katie Notopoulos doesn't think so. Amazon Prime Day: deeper discounts, fewer products. It looks like Prime Day actually has better sales this year, but it might be harder to find them since they're spread among fewer things. Shoppers are stocking up on household items. Sometimes billionaires are bad for business. That's what Jacob Frehling has found in Sun Valley, Idaho, where he runs a coffee shop. Frehling told BI his sales dip each year when the billionaires are in town, and he's never met a local who's excited about the conference. In other news Investors push past tariff angst to power stocks to fresh all-time highs. Why the next app for relationships won't look like a dating app, according to a VC. Top White House aide sold at least $1 million in Truth Social stock the day before Trump's April tariff announcement. A private collector scored the OG Birkin for $10 million. Trump's Big Beautiful Bill is quietly handing startups a shot at a faster payday. 'A little numb' to tariffs and 'very resilient': How CEOs are describing American consumers. Anam builds digital humans that can have lifelike conversations. Read the pitch deck that it used to raise $9 million. I switched from PR to health tech with no engineering or medical experience. Here's how I overcame impostor syndrome. What's happening today Last chance of the year to observe "Manhattanhenge," when the sun sets in perfect alignment with the Manhattan street grid. Hallam Bullock, senior editor, in London. Akin Oyedele, deputy editor, in New York. Grace Lett, editor, in New York. Amanda Yen, associate editor, in New York. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York (on parental leave). Kiera Fields, editor, in London.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Allianz Commercial rolls out CAReS
Allianz Commercial has launched Climate Adaptation & Resilience Services (CAReS) to address the impact of climate change on businesses and the global economy. Developed in conjunction with Allianz clients, CAReS is a data-driven tool that enables users to identify potential high-risk areas and project the effects of climate risks on their locations up to the year 2080. The platform converts physical climate risks into quantifiable financial and physical loss metrics at both the portfolio and location level. It is designed to assist businesses in managing these risks through resilience consultancy and climate risk assessments. Companies can use CAReS to identify and prioritise climate risk exposures, which include owned locations, new investments, and supplier locations. CAReS operate through a five-step process that helps businesses understand their climate risks and the potential impact on their assets. The platform features a dashboard solution that provides risk scores for 12 different perils, including tropical storms, floods, hail, wildfires, and extreme heat. This introduction is part of Allianz Risk Consulting's planned series of solutions and offerings set to be launched this year. Allianz Commercial Allianz Risk Consulting global head Michele Williams said: 'The question is not if a company is affected by climate risks in the future, but when it will happen. No industry is immune to risks such as floods, droughts, storms, or fires. 'This is why we developed CAReS, so our clients have the option to address and mitigate their risks as well as to avoid surging insurance costs in the future.' In June 2025, Allianz Commercial Singapore designated Hydor as a managing general agent (MGA) to strengthen its marine liability insurance offerings in the Asia-Pacific. "Allianz Commercial rolls out CAReS " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Business Wire
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Allianz Commercial Launches Climate Adaptation & Resilience Services (CAReS)
MUNICH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Climate change is having a severe impact on economies around the world, all businesses are affected. In 2024, the overall losses from climate-related natural catastrophes such as flood, windstorm, or hail summed up to US$327 billion, while insured losses reached US$138 billion. To address these growing challenges, Allianz Commercial today launched its Climate Adaptation & Resilience Services (CAReS). The data-driven platform has been developed together with Allianz clients and allows them to directly identify potential high-risk areas and how climate risks from 12 perils will affect their locations from present day up to the year 2080. 'The question is not if a company is affected by climate risks in the future, but when it will happen. No industry is immune to risks such as floods, droughts, storms, or fires. We all remember the severe consequences from events such as the LA wildfires or Hurricanes in the US. Businesses are interrupted, and economic and insured losses are exploding into hundreds of billions of US-Dollars per year. Therefore, it is so important to understand climate risks and your exposure to them. This is why we developed CAReS, so our clients have the option to address and mitigate their risks as well as to avoid surging insurance costs in the future', explains Michele Williams, Global Head of Allianz Risk Consulting (ARC) at Allianz Commercial. CAReS is a data-driven platform combined with tailored risk consulting expertise CAReS translates physical climate risks into financial and physical loss metrics at portfolio and location level and helps businesses to manage these risks with resilience consultancy. The data-driven platform allows companies to perform climate risk assessments to identify and prioritize high climate risk exposures for their key assets including own locations, new investments and supplier locations. In a five-step process, they can understand their climate risks and their impact on their assets. Furthermore, businesses can identify and prioritize highly exposed locations in a dashboard solution with different risk scores for 12 perils, including tropical storms, floods, hail, wildfire or extreme heat. Four different timelines are available: present day, 2030, 2050, and 2080. This allows businesses to directly address potential risks as well as financial impacts in the future and mitigate them, working closely with ARC experts. CAReS is the first in a set of solutions and offerings Allianz Risk Consulting is planning to launch this year as part of a new strategic positioning which emphasizes the relevance of resilience. 'Resilience is a journey, not a destination. By proactively managing climate risks you can mitigate potential disruptions to your business and stay one step ahead. This is a win-win situation for Allianz Commercial as an insurer as well as for the client who can reduce its climate risks and potential losses in the future', says Michael Bruch, Head of Global ARC Advisory Services at Allianz Commercial. You can find more information here. About Allianz Commercial Allianz Commercial is the center of expertise and global line of Allianz Group for insuring mid-sized businesses, large enterprises and specialist risks. Among our customers are the world's largest consumer brands, financial institutions and industry players, the global aviation and shipping industry as well as family-owned and medium enterprises which are the backbone of the economy. We also cover unique risks such as offshore wind parks, infrastructure projects or film productions. Powered by the employees, financial strength, and network of the world's #1 insurance brand, we work together to help our customers prepare for what's ahead: They trust us in providing a wide range of traditional and alternative risk transfer solutions, outstanding risk consulting and Multinational services as well as seamless claims handling. Allianz Commercial brings together the large corporate insurance business of Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) and the commercial insurance business of national Allianz Property & Casualty entities serving mid-sized companies. We are present in over 200 countries and territories either through our own teams or the Allianz Group network and partners. In 2024, the integrated business of Allianz Commercial generated around €18 billion in gross premium globally.
