The Daily Populous

'No downside': New Zealand firm adopts four-day week after successful trial

The New Zealand company behind a landmark trial of a four-day working week has declared it a success and will be adopting the new schedule full time.

Almost 250 staff at Perpetual Guardian, a company which manages trusts, wills and estate planning, trialled a four-day working week over March and April this year, working four eight-hour days but getting paid for five.

How to make time for self-care at work | Sharmadean Reid Read more.

Academics who studied the trial found staff at the firm’s offices around the country reported lower stress levels, higher levels of job satisfaction and an improved sense of work-life balance.

Barnes initially undertook the trial after observing how much pressure some of his staff were under to manage their personal and professional lives.

“For us, this is about our company getting improved productivity from greater workplace efficiencies … there’s no downside for us,” he said.

Data was collected by two New Zealand academics before and after the trial period. »

Amazon raises minimum wage to $15 for all US employees

Authored by cnbc.com

Amazon announced Tuesday it's raising the minimum wage for all U.S. employees to $15, effective next month.

The new minimum wage will benefit more than 250,000 Amazon employees — including part-time and temporary employees — as well as another 100,000 seasonal employees, the company said.

Amazon said it will also start advocating for an increase to the federal minimum wage. »

The “Death Comet” Will Pass By Earth Just After Halloween

Authored by universetoday.com

Because of the timing and the skull-like appearance of this asteroid, scientists nicknamed it the “Death Comet”.

Naturally, there was no reason to worry, as the asteroid posed no threat and passed within about 498,900 km (310,000 mi) of Earth.

“The Great Pumpkin Comet”), will be passing Earth for the second time, this time shortly after Halloween. »

Democrat/Republican divide is worst it’s ever been

Authored by msutoday.msu.edu

Party polarization is even worse than most people think, according to a new Michigan State University study.

And neither party can shoulder the blame, as it doesn’t matter which party is in charge, said Zachary Neal, associate professor of psychology and global urban studies.

“What I’ve found is that polarization has been steadily getting worse since the early 1970s,” he said. »

Animal Crossing for Nintendo Switch could be released as early as Q1 2019

Authored by lootpots.com

Animal Crossing might be coming to the Nintendo Switch a little earlier than expected, according to one of our sources.

It’s been less than a month since Animal Crossing Switch was first announced, but that’s more than enough time to get the rumour mill churning.

Information from one of our sources suggests that Animal Crossing on Nintendo Switch is most likely set for a late Q1 or early Q2 (calendar year) release date. »