Introduction

In today’s digitally connected world, employee activism is no longer confined to traditional union organizing or company-issued petitions. The rise of social media has given employees a powerful platform to voice their concerns, promote change, and hold their employers accountable. Employee activism 2.0 is a new era of employee-driven movements that leverage social media to amplify their voices and drive positive change.

The Power of Social Media

Social media has revolutionized the way we communicate, mobilize, and organize. With billions of active users worldwide, social media platforms have become an essential tool for employee activism. Here are some key statistics that highlight the power of social media:

* 70% of employees use social media to connect with their colleagues and stay updated on company news (Gallup, 2020)
* 85% of employees believe that social media has a significant impact on their work life (Forbes, 2019)
* 60% of employees have used social media to report misconduct or harassment at work (Forbes, 2019)

Social Media as a Catalyst for Change

Social media has enabled employees to become catalysts for change, using their voices to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. For instance, in 2020, a group of employees at the tech giant Google used social media to organize a global walkout in protest of the company’s handling of sexual harassment allegations. The walkout, which was sparked by a New York Times investigation, was a powerful display of employee activism and led to significant changes in the company’s policies and procedures.

The Rise of Employee-Led Movements

Employee-led movements are on the rise, and social media is playing a key role in mobilizing employees and driving change. Here are a few examples:

* The #MeToo movement, which was sparked by allegations of sexual harassment and assault against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, has become a global phenomenon, with millions of people using social media to share their stories and support survivors.
* The #BlackLivesMatter movement, which was founded in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the death of Trayvon Martin, has become a powerful force for social justice, using social media to mobilize activists and raise awareness about systemic racism.
* The #TimeIsNow movement, which was launched by a group of employees at the tech company Salesforce, is a global initiative that aims to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Benefits of Employee-Led Movements

Employee-led movements have numerous benefits, including:

* Increased employee engagement and motivation
* Improved workplace culture and morale
* Enhanced company reputation and brand
* Greater transparency and accountability
* Improved employee retention and recruitment

Challenges and Concerns

While employee-led movements have the potential to drive positive change, they also present challenges and concerns, including:

* Balancing personal and professional lives
* Managing the risk of backlash or retaliation
* Navigating complex company policies and procedures
* Ensuring that movements remain inclusive and respectful
* Addressing the potential impact on employee morale and productivity

Conclusion

Employee activism 2.0 is a powerful force for change, leveraging social media to amplify employee voices and drive positive change. As employees increasingly use social media to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, companies must adapt and respond to these movements. By embracing employee-led movements, companies can promote a more inclusive and equitable workplace culture, enhance their reputation and brand, and improve employee retention and recruitment.

FAQs

Q: How can employees use social media to promote employee activism?

A: Employees can use social media to promote employee activism by sharing their personal stories, using hashtags to mobilize others, and tagging their employers to hold them accountable.

Q: What are some examples of successful employee-led movements?

A: Some examples of successful employee-led movements include the #MeToo movement, the #BlackLivesMatter movement, and the #TimeIsNow movement.

Q: How can companies respond to employee-led movements?

A: Companies can respond to employee-led movements by listening to employee concerns, engaging in open and transparent communication, and making meaningful changes to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Q: What are some potential risks and challenges of employee-led movements?

A: Some potential risks and challenges of employee-led movements include backlash or retaliation, navigating complex company policies and procedures, and ensuring that movements remain inclusive and respectful.

Q: How can employees balance their personal and professional lives while participating in employee-led movements?

A: Employees can balance their personal and professional lives by setting clear boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and seeking support from colleagues and friends.

Boeing’s Financial Struggles Continue: Losses Expected in Q4

Boeing, the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer, announced on Thursday that it likely lost around $4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024. This comes as the company continues to face challenges following a midair accident in January 2024 and a subsequent labor strike and layoffs.

Financial Expectations

Boeing expects to post a loss of $5.46 per share for the fourth quarter, with revenue expected to be $15.2 billion. This is less than the analysts’ expectations, according to LSEG estimates. The company also burned through $3.5 billion in cash during the quarter and raised more than $20 billion to boost its liquidity.

Impact on Operations

The company’s commercial airplane unit revenue is expected to come in at $4.8 billion, with a negative operating margin of nearly 44%. Boeing’s defense unit is also facing challenges, with the company expecting to record pretax charges of $1.7 billion on the KC-46A tanker and the long-delayed 747s that will service as the new Air Force One aircraft.

CEO’s Statement

"We took important steps to stabilize our business during the quarter, including reaching an agreement with our IAM-represented teammates and conducting a successful capital raise to improve our balance sheet," said Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg.

Challenges Ahead

Boeing has struggled to regain its footing after a door plug blew out midair in January 2024, sparking a new safety crisis at the company. The incident brought new federal scrutiny and a slowdown of deliveries of new planes. A nearly two-month machinists strike that started in September shut down most of its commercial aircraft production. The workers, mostly in the Puget Sound area, won a new contract in November.

Conclusion

Boeing’s financial struggles continue, with the company expected to post a significant loss in the fourth quarter. The company faces significant challenges, including a decline in commercial airplane sales and a prolonged strike by machinists. Despite these challenges, Boeing remains committed to stabilizing its business and improving its financial performance.

FAQs

Q: What is Boeing’s expected loss for the fourth quarter?
A: Boeing expects to post a loss of $5.46 per share for the fourth quarter.

Q: What is the expected revenue for the fourth quarter?
A: Boeing expects revenue to be $15.2 billion for the fourth quarter.

Q: How much cash did Boeing burn through during the quarter?
A: Boeing burned through $3.5 billion in cash during the quarter.

Q: What is the expected pretax charge on the KC-46A tanker and the 747s that will service as the new Air Force One aircraft?
A: Boeing expects to record pretax charges of $1.7 billion on the KC-46A tanker and the 747s that will service as the new Air Force One aircraft.

American Express Affluent Cardholders Boost Spending

American Express’ affluent cardholders got comfortable spending more freely again late last year, according to Chief Financial Officer Christophe Le Caillec. Spending on AmEx cards jumped 8% year over year in the fourth quarter after slowing from a 7% growth rate early in the year to 6% during the second and third quarters, according to the firm’s earnings presentation.

Generational Spending Habits

While the year-end pickup was seen across all customer segments and geographies, it was especially fueled by millennials and Gen Z users, where transaction volumes jumped 16%, up from 12% in the third quarter. Older groups were more restrained with their cards. Gen X customers spent 7% more in the fourth quarter, while baby boomers saw billings rise just 4%.

Optimism for 2025

"We had very strong growth from Gen Z and millennials, and that 2 percentage point acceleration gives us a lot of optimism for 2025," Le Caillec said. Elevated transaction levels have continued into the first three weeks of this year, he added.

Spend Patterns

Younger Americans are said to spend more on experiences rather than goods, and that is reflected in the results from AmEx, which along with rival card issuer JPMorgan Chase, dominate the market for high-end credit cards. Travel and entertainment billings rose 11% in the quarter, compared with 8% for goods and services. The boost in travel came from airline spending, which rose 13%, with spending for business class and first class airfares up 19%, according to Le Caillec.

Stock Performance

AmEx shares fell more than 2% in midday trading Friday after the company reported earnings and revenue that were roughly in line with analysts’ expectations. Shares of the New York-based company have been on a tear over the past year, hitting a 52-week high on Thursday.

Analyst Insights

"We are encouraged by accelerating billings growth as we believe it will be a key factor for Amex to meet its aspirational target of at least 10% revenue growth," William Blair analysts led by Cristopher Kennedy wrote Friday in a research note. "We remain buyers on any pullback."

Conclusion

American Express’ affluent cardholders’ increased spending has boosted the company’s revenue growth, with millennials and Gen Z users driving the growth. The company’s optimism for 2025 is fueled by the strong growth from these younger generations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What was the growth rate of spending on AmEx cards in the fourth quarter?
A: 8% year over year

Q: Which age groups saw the highest growth in spending?
A: Millennials and Gen Z users, with transaction volumes jumping 16%

Q: What was the growth rate of travel and entertainment billings in the quarter?
A: 11%

Q: What was the growth rate of airline spending in the quarter?
A: 13%

Q: What was the growth rate of spending for business class and first class airfares in the quarter?
A: 19%