| | | | | | | Presented By Robin Powered | | | | Axios What's Next | | By Alex Fitzpatrick, Jennifer A. Kingson and Joann Muller · Jul 14, 2022 | | Gas prices are falling, but it's still crazy expensive to get to work right now, Jennifer reports in her story today — and that has big implications for the return-to-work debate. Today's Smart Brevity count: 1,027 words ... 4 minutes. | | | | | | 1 big thing: Our commutes keep getting pricier |  Data: Overheard on Conference Calls; Chart: Baidi Wang/Axios Rising prices for gas and auto insurance mean the average American is now paying $2,914 a year to commute, up $757 — or 35% — from last year, according to new research, Jennifer A. Kingson reports. Why it matters: The sheer expense of getting to work is not just hurting our bank accounts — it's contributing to wrangling between workers and employers over returning to the office. Driving the news: Rising fuel prices are the biggest contributor to higher commuting costs (to no one's surprise). U.S. commuters will spend an average of $657 on gas this year — up 58% from last year, according to a calculation by a website called Overheard on Conference Calls. - The costs of auto insurance and wear-and-tear are up 8% this year, more in line with the overall rate of inflation.
- Overheard on Conference Calls — which reviews office equipment (like desk chairs and standing desks) and says its aim is to "make work more enjoyable" — looked at commuting prices in 96 U.S. cities.
New York City takes the prize for the most expensive commute: At $4,040, this year's got-to-get-to-work expenses are 47% higher than last year's — an extra $1,290. - Second place is Rochester, New York ($3,984, also up 47%), followed by Albany, New York ($3,946, or 46%), Jacksonville, Florida ($3,933, or 40%) and Orlando, Florida ($3,922, or 39%).
- The five cities with the highest percentage increase in commuting costs: Pittsburgh (60.1%), Philadelphia (59.9%), Cincinnati (59.1%), Phoenix (58.1%) and Columbus, Ohio (58.0%).
The big picture: While rising commuter costs are lousy for everyone — particularly people who can't work remotely, and who tend to have lower-paying jobs — there are some silver linings: - Some transportation operators — like New York City's MTA — are staving off fare hikes in an attempt to coax riders back after ridership plummeted during the pandemic.
- Cities in Silicon Valley and elsewhere are investing in public transportation options, like electric trains.
- And "rising gasoline prices are prompting more companies to offer fuel stipends, gift cards and other benefits, including continued work-from-home privileges, as they try to retain employees," per the Wall Street Journal.
What's next: Gas prices have been dropping, but fuel isn't the only factor driving commuting costs. Share this story. |     | | | | | | 2. Take this job and... |  | | | Illustration: Shoshana Gordon/Axios | | | | Four out of 10 workers around the world are at least somewhat likely to quit their job in the next three to six months, per a new McKinsey survey, Alex Fitzpatrick reports. Why it matters: Whatever you call what's going on in the workforce right now (the "Great Resignation," the "Great Reshuffling," the "Great Attrition"), it shows no signs of abating. The details: India has the highest levels of quit desire, at 66%. For the U.S., it's 40%. - 65% of workers who quit in the past two years either moved to a different industry or stopped working altogether.
- Nearly 75% of employed respondents think it would be easy to find a job "that pays the same or better, with the same or better benefits," per McKinsey.
The big picture: Bosses who want to keep as much talent as possible should think long and hard about the salaries and benefits they're offering. | | | | | | | | 3. Abortion bans are shaping living preferences |  Data: Axios/Generation Lab; Chart: Nicki Camberg/Axios Many young Americans say state abortion laws will influence where they choose to live, according to a new Generation Lab/Axios poll, Axios' Oriana Gonzalez reports. Why it matters: Several states are banning or heavily restricting abortions after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The survey's findings suggest the ruling may significantly influence where Americans ages 18-29 are willing to attend college, move for work or build families. By the numbers: 62% of young women and 53% of young men said a state's abortion laws would at least "somewhat" affect their decision on where to live. - Democrats (67%) were nearly twice as likely as Republicans (36%) to say so.
Read on. | | | | | | | | A message from Robin Powered | | Tech that connects hybrid teams | | |  | | | | Robin's step-by-step Hybrid Work 101 guide shares key ways to create a thriving hybrid workplace. It covers: - The tech you need to better connect your teams.
- How to adjust your office for flexible work.
- Leveraging data to assess your strategies.
Get the guide plus free planning templates. | | | | | | 4. Ring secretly shares data with cops |  | | | Illustration: Gabriella Turrisi/Axios | | | | Amazon's video doorbell platform Ring shared footage with law enforcement multiple times this year without users' consent, the company said in a letter made public Wednesday, Axios' Margaret Harding McGill reports. Why it matters: The proliferation of video doorbells has raised questions surrounding privacy and law enforcement access to footage. Driving the news: In response to an inquiry by Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Amazon said it has given law enforcement footage without user consent 11 times so far this year in response to emergency requests. - Each time Amazon said Ring determined "there was an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury" that required disclosure of the information without delay.
- Law enforcement can obtain Ring footage through voluntary requests to the owner or via a warrant, but Amazon notes it generally informs users before disclosing information.
The other side: Ring made more than 100 changes while it underwent an audit by New York University's Policing Project. - That included requiring police agencies to identify a specific offense under investigation when seeking video.
- The audit found that most requests from law enforcement were connected to "relatively serious property crimes and some violent crimes," with 16% related to shootings or homicides.
What they're saying: "We will continue to prioritize privacy, security, and user control as we pursue and improve technologies to help achieve our mission of making neighborhoods safer," Amazon's vice president for public policy Brian Huseman wrote to Markey. Read the rest. | | | | | | | | 5. TikTok's Addison Rae launches doll line |  | | | Addison Rae attends the 47th annual People's Choice Awards in 2021. Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty Images. | | | | TikTok megastar Addison Rae is coming out with a new line of dolls and toys, Jennifer reports. Why it matters: One of the most prominent and successful social media influencers, Rae continues to build her empire — which netted her $8.5 million in 2021, per Forbes — while showing just how lucrative TikTok stardom can be. Driving the news: Bonkers Toys, which specializes in licensed toys that "kids are texting and tweeting about," is introducing a line of Addison Rae Fashion Dolls, plush toys and accessories. Details: The line includes four 11-inch dolls that resemble the celebrity and are themed "beach," "comfy," "career" and "music." There are also three plush toys: a bear, a pink cheetah and "Addison's family pug, Maui." Of note: Forbes reported in January that Rae was the third-highest earning TikTok-er, behind the D'Amelio sisters (Charli and Dixie, for anyone living under a rock). Read the full story. | | | | | | | | A message from Robin Powered | | Roll-out strategies to boost employee engagement | | |  | | | | Robin's step-by-step, actionable playbook helps hybrid work beginners better facilitate flexible work. What's in it for you: Learn to connect hybrid teams, increase engagement and leverage data. Plus, get free planning templates to create unique workplace strategies. Download the guide. | | | | A hearty thanks to What's Next copy editor Amy Stern. Was this email forwarded to you? Get your daily dose of What's Next magic by signing up here for our free newsletter. |  | | Are you a fan of this email format? It's called Smart Brevity®. Over 300 orgs use it — in a tool called Axios HQ — to drive productivity with clearer workplace communications. | | | | | | Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. If you're interested in advertising, learn more here.
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