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An initiative that helps teachers buy a home is expanding to 15 Colorado districts

Melanie Asmar

September 04, 2018 |

Chalkbeat |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Colorado

Landed, a philanthropic for-profit organization, has loaned money to 90 Colorado school district employees for down payments on homes. This funding fills a pressing gap - in Denver, the average home goes for over half a million dollars while the average teacher is paid an annual salary of $57,000. As Landed expands to 14 new Colorado districts, it stands out from similar initiatives for its generous down payment loans and focus on securing teachers permanent housing instead of rental units.

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The Case For and Against Salary Transparency

Samantha Cooney

August 14, 2018 |

Time Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Whole Foods, SumAll, and Buffer are three companies practicing salary transparency. Research shows that salary transparency is associated with higher employee productivity and collaboration, and it might be helpful in reducing gender pay inequality, though it this research is still in its early stages. Others worry transparency could increase competition and tension. Still, more and more proponents are slowly willing to try out this innovative practice with the hopes of creating more trust and equality at workplaces.

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Flexible work saving government millions annually, study finds

David Donaldson

July 16, 2018 |

The Mandarin |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Australia

Flexibility allows employees to “work smarter and better.” The productivity payoffs of offering part-time hours and remote work outweigh the administrative costs of such policies, according to a study in Australia.

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German women can now find out what men earn — why don't they?

Natalie Holmes

July 02, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Germany

The early impact of Germany’s wage transparency law has been limited because it only applies to large companies and, while it permits an employee to inquire whether she is paid differently than her male colleagues, she must still sue her employer herself in order to rectify the situation. In the fight for fair pay, it’s more effective to put the onus on companies to demonstrate responsible behavior rather than leave individuals to battle entrenched power structures by themselves.

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New Zealand care workers pioneered a deal to end pay segregation

Anna Louie Sussman

June 18, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: New Zealand

Undervaluation of care work stems from gender bias. A labor union brought this argument to court in New Zealand and won big. The settlement nearly doubled wages for workers, which has led to the added bonus of less staff turnover. Similar claims from more female-dominated professions are in progress.

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'The Daddy quota': how Quebec got men to take parental leave

Mireille Silcoff

June 15, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Canada, Quebec

Influenced by Scandavian countries, the province of Quebec created its own paid paternity leave program, which offers 70-75% paid leave. The program is aimed at dad’s, who have traditionally faced stigma and judgement for accepting paternity leave. Quebec offers “five weeks of “use-it-or-lose-it” benefits, for fathers and non-biological mothers in lesbian couples.” The program has been an instant hit: “Over 80% of Quebec fathers take their paternity leave.”

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How movie stars conquered the ‘gig economy'

Andrew Hanna

June 07, 2018 |

Politico |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

For contingent workers in what is often called the "gig economy," securing access to benefits, retirement, and other markers of job security can be a struggle. However, the success of the Screen Actors Guild and other labor unions for those in the entertainment industry in the 20th century might provide a useful framework for organizing for a 21st century labor market.

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Saving for Retirement: How Auto-IRA Plans May Secure the Future

Emily B. Hager Clara Ritger

April 11, 2018 |

Wall Street Journal |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Medford, Oregon

Oregon is helping its residents save for retirement by automatically enrolling those eligible for the Roth IRA retirement savings program. Employees can choose to contribute or opt out, and thus far the participation rate is 80%. As social security benefits are at risk in the future, this program, in Oregon and around the country, is helping people start early in preparing for retirement.

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'Heck it was productive': New Zealand employees try four-day week

Eleanor Ainge Roy

March 29, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: New Zealand

To improve employee work-life balance, some companies have experimented with cutting working hours, either by reducing the length of a work day or shifting to a four-day work week. Pilot programs show mixed results. At New Zealand’s Perpetual Guardian, employees find a four-day work week both energizing and stressful since there is reduced time to complete work tasks.

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Want to save your job and make more money? Buy out your boss

Aditya Chakrabortty

March 14, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, Glasgow

The owners of Novograf, a UK-based marketing company, faced a challenge when they were ready to retire. They did not want to sell their company and risk a relocation of the factory, which would take away jobs from the local economy. Instead, they sold their company to their employees. Data shows that employee-ownership leads to higher wages and higher job satisfaction. One year after the transition to employee-ownership, Novograf sales grew by 20%.

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