Category Archives: Companies

Will a “right to disconnect” reach the U.S.?

Australia recently introduced a “right to disconnect” law, allowing workers to ignore after-hours communications from employers without fear of punishment. The law, which aims to restore work-life balance, lets employees choose whether to respond to calls or messages outside working hours unless their refusal is deemed unreasonable. This measure addresses the growing issue of unpaid overtime, with a 2023 survey finding Australians worked an average of 281 unpaid overtime hours annually.

The move is part of a global trend, with more than 20 countries, mainly in Europe and Latin America, implementing similar protections. Proponents argue that this law not only benefits employees but also helps businesses by reducing stress and burnout, leading to healthier, more productive workforces.

In the U.S., however, federal protections do not yet exist. American workers continue to face blurred boundaries between work and personal time, a challenge that has only grown with the rise of remote work since the pandemic. While some states are exploring legislation to address these issues, efforts like a bill proposed in California were put on hold earlier this year after pushback from business groups. As the U.S. grapples with increasing demands for a better work-life balance, concepts like a four-day workweek or the “right to disconnect” could become a key focus of future labor discussions.

JetBlue Appoints the First Female CEO of a Major Airline

Joanna Geraghty, 51, will step into the role of CEO at JetBlue, making her the first woman to lead a major U.S. airline. Geraghty began her tenure at JetBlue nearly two decades ago, in 2005. She has served as president and chief operating officer since 2018. Geraghty emphasized her commitment to driving strategic initiatives, restoring profitability, and creating enduring value for shareholders.

Geraghty’s promotion comes as Robin Hayes, JetBlue’s current CEO, prepares to retire due to health concerns. Hayes, 57, acknowledged the taxing nature of his role, citing the need to prioritize his well-being following advice from his doctor and discussions with his family.

Geraghty is scheduled to become CEO on Feb. 12, around the time when a federal judge will decide if JetBlue can legally acquire Spirit Airlines. JetBlue has actively pursued mergers to narrow the gap with industry giants like American, Delta, United, and Southwest. Notably, in 2016, Hayes had previously attempted to acquire Virgin America, only to be outbid by Alaska Airlines.

Changes at the Self-Checkout

Retail giant Target is experimenting with a new self-checkout policy. In select stores, Target is now limiting self-checkout to customers purchasing 10 items or fewer, redirecting those with more items to full-service lanes manned by cashiers. This change is hoping to address concerns that cashier-less technology alienates customers. John Mulligan, Target’s Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the importance of customer relationships, noting, “Our guests tell us they enjoy interacting with our team.”

The change in the self-checkout system is aimed at understanding shoppers’ preferences and reducing wait times. Self-checkout lanes were designed to streamline processes and cut labor costs. But recently, Target has seen a 6% increase in customers utilizing full-service cashier lanes, since the self-checkout systems often breakdown and error out, causing them to be cumbersome and time consuming.

The impersonal and unreliable nature of self-scan machines has led many retailers, including Walmart, Costco, and Shoprite, to reevaluate their self-checkout strategies.

Additionally, research in the retail industry has revealed that self-checkout leads to higher losses due to theft and customer error. Target emphasized that while theft is an ongoing concern, it didn’t drive their new self-checkout policies.

Hershey Looks to Halloween to Boost Chocolate Sales

Hershey, the maker of popular candies like Reese’s, Kit Kat, and Twizzlers, is gearing up for Halloween sales. This year, it appears that customers are shopping for trick-or-treat candy closer to the holiday. Last year, due to supply chain and availability concerns, many customers bought their Halloween candy early. Although it’s too early to predict this year’s outcome, so far, Halloween candy sales have been slower than last year.

As Halloween approaches, Hershey is hoping for a strong performance this weekend to meet its sales targets. In recent years, Halloween has become a critical period for the company, accounting for 25-30% of its annual business.

Hershey is experiencing difficulties on several fronts. Cocoa prices are on the rise, supply chain issues have plagued the cocoa industry, and many consumers are now facing budget constraints and are more sensitive to pricing.

To cater to budget-conscious consumers, Hershey is expanding its presence in dollar stores and discount outlets. They are also exploring the option of selling smaller-sized candies at more affordable prices.

But Hershey executives remain positive that Halloween will bring the candy buying boom that the company needs. Last week, CEO Michele Buck said, “With Halloween next Tuesday, we still have several important selling days to go”.

California is Making Food Safer

California is the first U.S. state to ban four potentially harmful food and drink additives that are linked to disease. The California Food Safety Act now prohibits the use of brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and red dye 3, commonly found in candies, fruit juices, and cookies. These substances are already banned in many countries.

Supporters of this law are reassuring consumers that popular products are not going to suddenly vanish from stores; rather, companies who use these ingredients are going to have to change their recipes to include healthier alternatives. The law will take effect in 2027, which will give the manufacturers time to reformulate their products.

There was a false claim that California aimed to ban Skittles. Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel clarified that Skittles with alternative ingredients are already sold in the European Union, where these additives are banned. The law doesn’t ban foods but requires companies to use safer alternatives.

Other countries, including the EU, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, China, and Japan, have banned these additives. Major brands like Coke, Pepsi, Dunkin’, and Panera have removed them from their products voluntarily.