The Daily Valet. - 1/2/23, Monday
✔️ The Thriving Four-Day Workweek
Monday, January 2nd Edition
By Cory Ohlendorf, Valet. Editor
I hope you had a restful holiday break ... and you might even be off today, but we're back with the news you need to know.
Today’s Big Story
The Thriving Four-Day Workweek
Several scientific trials have proven there’s no reason to work five days a week
Here's a great story to kick off a week where we're only working four days. Or if you're not, you probably wish you were, right? Well, the results from the world's first large-scale, independent study on a four-day work week are in and it seems to be a resounding success.As you might remember, back in February 2022, Four Day Week Global initiated trials with dozens of companies and hundreds of employees across the U.S. and Ireland, along with a few other countries, to test how productive businesses could be on a four-day work week. The six-month pilot, which ran from April through October, worked on a 100-80-100 model: Workers receive 100% of their pay for 80% of the time and maintain 100% productivity.Unsurprisingly, workers overwhelmingly enjoyed getting that an extra day back: They rated the experience at 9.1 on a 10-point scale, and 97% said they want to continue the condensed schedule. According to CNBC, levels of performance went up while burnout went down. Staff had more control over their schedules and also saved an hour per week on commuting, even though in-person work increased throughout the trial period.Forbes reports that similar results were found in a survey currently taking place across the U.K., where at the half-way point, most participants and companies said they preferred the new four-day workweek. And it mimics another trial which took place in Iceland between 2015 and 2019. The government implemented a four-day workweek for 1% of the Icelandic workforce and it was so successful that it's since been rolled out to include 86% of the country's workforce.What more evidence do we need to prove that there's no legitimate reason to have to work five days a week? I think society would be better off if each week came with a long weekend, don't you?
Meanwhile:
Fast Company explains why the 9-to-5 schedule has lost its place in the workplace.
Kevin McCarthy’s Speaker Bid Faces Final Hurdle
Some concerned his speakership would continue ‘past and ongoing Republican failures’
When the new Congress officially convenes tomorrow in Washington, one of the first orders of business in the House will be selecting a new speaker. Normally, the role goes to the leader of the majority party, but House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy and his allies were still working on Sunday to win support from a small but determined group of GOP lawmakers who have the power to block his bid, because of the slim majority the party will have.The California representative made his pitch on a Sunday evening conference call with fellow lawmakers, going through a list of rules changes he is willing to make to empower rank and file lawmakers, including one that would make it easier for dissatisfied lawmakers to oust a speaker. Still, it's unclear if the proposal brought enough detractors on board.According to Fox News, some members of his party are concerned that electing him to be speaker would be a “continuation of past and ongoing Republican failures.” The uncertainty is setting the stage for what could be the most dramatic election for speaker in a century. CNN reports that there could be additional compromises made in the next 24 hours just to ensure the House is able to select a leader.
FYI:
If a candidate doesn’t win a majority of House members voting and present on the first ballot, then another roll-call vote is taken.
Some of the wealthiest and most famous people on Earth have found that the best way to gain even more attention is to display contempt for ordinary standards of discourse and behavior.”
- Adam Kirsch on the Rise and Fall of Respectability
Kim Jong-Un Orders More Nukes
North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile in a rare late-night, New Year’s Day weapons test
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un called for “exponential” growth of the country's nuclear arsenal in a recent ruling party meeting, the Associated Press reported, citing state media reports Sunday. He also ordered the development of a new intercontinental ballistic missile to counter the United States and South Korea.Kim's remarks underscore his intent to push for more nuclear production and potentially run more weapons tests—North Korea tested more than 70 missiles in 2022, more than they've ever done. He justified the missile tests as a way to protect the country's sovereignty.Some experts say Kim's push to produce more nukes and new weapons systems reflects his hopes to solidify his future negotiating power as he heads into prolonged tensions with the U.S. and its allies. They believe that Kim thinks it might pressure the country's rivals into decreasing sanctions.
The Other Side:
South Korea's Defense Ministry warned Sunday that Kim’s regime “will meet its end” if it tries to deploy nuclear weapons.
Starbucks Changes Rewards Program
And it's going to cost members a lot more to earn that "free" coffee
If you're a loyal Starbucks customer, it might be more difficult to obtain freebies in 2023 with the coffee chain's latest rewards system update. Of course, you might've missed it since it arrived via an email that simply said it's “updating the terms of use” for its loyalty program. As Inc. points out, that's the kind of thing you say when you're hoping no one is paying attention.Because unfortunately, the “stars” you earn for each purchase at Starbucks are going to be worth a lot less starting on February 13, 2023. According to InsideHook, a mere 50 stars used to get you a brewed coffee, bakery item or tea; but next month you'll need to have 100.Social media lit up with outrage, of course. But active Starbucks Rewards membership was up 16% in the U.S. in the last quarter of 2022 to nearly 29 million members, so any grumbling by members will probably be offset by…well, more profits for Starbucks. Kind of makes you long for the old days and simplicity of paper loyalty punch cards, right?
FYI:
In October, the coffee chain started partnering with Delta to let rewards members earn airline miles.
In Other News
He's assuming office for the third time.
Have you heard about ...
Curb Your Caffeine
A realistic plan to cut back (without having to quit entirely)
Our annual 31 Days series is back. And 2023 ushers in volume 15. This is the time when we ask ourselves, “Who do I want to be? And what do I want to change or improve?” Kicking things off, the talented writer Scott Woolf shares his experience (and the benefits from) cutting back on caffeine.The United States is an extremely caffeinated country. The most recent estimates count close to 70,000 coffee and snack shops in the U.S. alone. And while it's an impressive number, we're not even the most caffeinated. Technically. Our love of milk, sugar and flavor pumps means nations like Finland, Norway and Denmark actually consume more caffeine when they take it black. It's probably necessary to help pass the long polar night, up north, right?And what's not to love? We need a legal energy boost, and for many the process of brewing, sipping and easing into the day's responsibilities is a welcome routine. But if you've reached a brewing point and want to slowly remove the stimulant surging through your veins, consider cutting back. Now, I'm not talking about cutting it out or detoxing completely. There are very workable options. I've been doing it for the past few months and there are serious benefits to slowly cutting back on your caffeine intake.
Read:
How to cut back on your caffeine levels while still getting the boost you need.
Shopping
What We’re Buying
‘Balance’ fragrance
New year, new scent, right? And Jack Henry has just the fragrance for it. They've just introduced the brand's first cologne—an eau de parfum ($125) that's a warm mix of clean citrus and rich woods and musky incense. The scent is fantastic, but the bottle adds a whole other layer of delight. The magnetized lid pulls off and snaps back on with the precision of an Apple product. And the juice inside is ejected in a satisfying puff—a mist so fine you don't even need to rub the fragrance in. Perhaps that is the secret to why the scent lasts so long on your skin.
Want More?
The five stylish items worth buying this week.
Morning Motto
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