A significant American airline is promising to make its operations extra dependable after a significant fiasco round Christmas grounded hundreds of passengers.
Based on CNBC, a bump in staffing, higher gear to deice planes and improved expertise are among the many steps the airline is committing to in an effort to keep away from extra main delays and detrimental picture points.
“We perceive the basis causes that led to the vacation disruption, and we’re validating our inner overview with the third-party evaluation. Now, we count on to mitigate the chance of an occasion of this magnitude ever occurring once more,” CEO Bob Jordan stated in a information launch. “Work is effectively underway implementing motion gadgets to organize for subsequent winter — with some gadgets already accomplished.”
Why it issues: After a slew of tech points grounded flights throughout the nation in December, Southwest had virtually nowhere to go however up with its public picture. It’s undoubtedly a optimistic to see that the airline is taking materials steps to make modifications to enhance the shopper expertise — nevertheless, time will inform whether or not or not it’s sufficient to assist enhance Southwest’s standing within the public eye.
Uber and Lyft can proceed to think about drivers contractors after court docket ruling
Rideshare giants Uber and Lyft can go on classifying their drivers as impartial contractors following a court docket ruling in California. The choice comes after a decrease court docket dominated that the businesses weren’t allowed to take action.
The saga began after voters within the Golden State authorized Proposition 22, which allowed supply app drivers to be thought-about contractors. It was overturned by a court docket in 2021 when it dominated that the proposition infringed upon the state’s skill to control office requirements.
Prop. 22 created a set of standards which decided whether or not ride-share drivers had been staff or impartial contractors. In follow, it exempted Uber and comparable firms from following sure minimal wage, extra time, or employees compensation legal guidelines for tons of of hundreds of Californian rideshare drivers. As an alternative, the poll measure required firms to supply compensation and healthcare “subsidies” based mostly on “engaged” driving time, in addition to different advantages, together with security coaching and “sexual harassment coaching.”
“At present’s ruling is a victory for app-based employees and the tens of millions of Californians who voted for Prop 22. Throughout the state, drivers and couriers have stated they’re pleased with Prop 22, which affords them new advantages whereas preserving the distinctive flexibility of app-based work,” Uber chief authorized officer Tony West stated in a press release.
Why it issues: This story has been occurring for just a few years now, however it’ll be attention-grabbing to see how this impacts the ridesharing apps in terms of public notion. As time has gone on, they’ve change into one thing of an integral a part of American transport. Give it some thought — “name an Uber” has change into a ubiquitous phrase in American tradition when we have to get someplace. In previous years, there was some consternation within the public discussion board as as to whether or not Uber ought to present advantages or healthcare choices to their drivers — this choice may probably pave the best way to unravel a few of these considerations.
Worker engagement sitting at a three-year low
As we proceed to plod alongside in March of 2023, we’re approaching the three-year mark of the COVID-19 shutdown right here in america. However in response to analysis, worker engagement charges haven’t rebounded to their pre-pandemic ranges but and have continued to say no.
Based on Gallup, solely 32% of staff are engaged with their jobs as of 2021, down from 34% in 2021 and 36% in 2020. The information additionally revealed that final 12 months, 18% of staff had been actively disengaged.
The report went on to state:
Essentially the most regarding decline has been within the lack of clear expectations for workers throughout all demographic teams when evaluating engagement pre-pandemic with the newest findings. This ingredient is probably the most foundational of all engagement parts. A scarcity of function readability makes all different engagement parts much less impactful — staff can not carry out at a excessive stage when they’re confused as to what they’re alleged to do.
Why it issues: We’ve coated this difficulty quite a bit over at our sister website Ragan, however it additionally bears excited about it from a PR perspective. Should you’re attempting to gin up assist and good imagery on your group, it’s powerful in case your staff aren’t engaged. Whereas it does all begin in-house, public relations professionals ought to think about how their organizations and their shopper organizations have weathered the hardest days of the pandemic and take into consideration showcasing these moments. These may help present some optimistic imagery and sentiment amongst a detrimental pattern.
McCormick to alter the look of its iconic bottles
Have a fast look by way of your spice rack — do you’ve any bottles of McCormick merchandise there? If that’s the case, your spice rack might need a brand new look when it’s worthwhile to substitute your cinnamon subsequent time, as a result of spice big McCormick is altering the look of its red-topped containers.
Consumers will quickly see newly designed bottles that characteristic up to date labeling and a brand new “snap” cap that the corporate says retains spices and seasonings more energizing in comparison with its earlier design. McCormick’s new sleeker bottles, which have already begun rolling out in america, will first comprise its hottest herbs and spices, together with cinnamon, garlic powder and crushed purple pepper.
The within is getting a makeover, too. McCormick carried out a producing change that pushes out air throughout the filling course of that helps preserve freshness as a result of shoppers see that as a “key profit” for buying, in response to Nikki French, vp of promoting for McCormick.
Why it issues: When iconic manufacturers change their look, folks will usually have a response. The attention-grabbing factor right here is the reason that McCormick offers for the alteration to their acquainted purple tops. With the corporate claiming it’s a technique to preserve a better high quality product, McCormick is telling the general public that the change is just to make their expertise utilizing the product higher. A wise technique over one thing as seemingly minor as a spice lid.
Sean Devlin is an editor at Ragan Communications. In his spare time he enjoys Philly sports activities, a great pint and ’90s trivia evening.
