The cooling job market is shifting the balance of power back to emplowers, causing some to eliminate remote work, issue smaller bonuses and end pet sick days. These moves, more pronounced in white-collar roles, help trim payrolls and reset expectations. “We’ll reintroduce time off for a sick pet in four years when the economy changes again. But for now, you shouldn’t get time off to care for a sick poodle,” says John Frehse of consulting firm Ankura.

U.S. employee engagement has dropped to a 10-year low, with only 31% of workers engaged and 17% actively disengaged, according to Gallup. New employee expectations and poor performance management are among the factors cited as contributing to the fall. Leaders can reverse this decline by generating -- and listening to! -- authentic feedback from employees and choosing managers who are skilled at connecting with and inspiring workers.

Yuvo Health fosters a supportive work environment by integrating cultural understanding and personal connections into its remote-first model. The company uses digital platforms and in-person gatherings to build relationships and ensure employees feel valued across different time zones.

The U.S. Department of Labor is increasingly requesting wage and compensation data during Family and Medical Leave Act investigations, according to attorneys from Littler Mendelson. This trend, observed over the past year, may prompt employers to review their FLSA policies alongside FMLA policies in anticipation of potential regulatory changes under the incoming administration.

Perfectionism in leadership can drive teams to achieve high standards, but it often comes at the cost of creativity and innovation, especially when accompanied by anger, which can create an environment where employees fear making mistakes, writes Gamze Koseoglu, a senior lecturer at The University of Melbourne. Leaders must temper their perfectionism with understanding and empathy if they want their teams to come up with new ideas and take risks, Koseoglu writes.