Latest news with #February2025
News24
a day ago
- General
- News24
Meet the woman behind Ask A Mom, a safe, supportive space for mothers who need a community
She was merely sharing her real, raw journey about single motherhood on TikTok. From one video to the next, many mothers resonated with her story, and the next thing, the community of mothers called for a Whatsapp group chat which she started in February 2025. Before she knew it, the community turned into an initiative and selfless movement aimed to help out mothers in their struggles. Nobuhle Radebe, affectionately known as BheePosh tells Drum how activism found her and philanthropy followed naturally. 'I didn't set out with a clear plan to step into motherhood, activism, or philanthropy in the way that I have, but life has a way of calling you into purpose through experience. Motherhood came first, and with it, a complete shift in perspective. Activism found me when I started sharing my real, raw journey on TikTok. I wasn't trying to be anything other than honest. But the more I shared, the more I realised how many women felt the same: overwhelmed, isolated, and in need of community. One comment suggested I start a WhatsApp group, and philanthropy followed naturally. 'Once you start connecting with people's real needs, when you see someone crying because they received baby formula, or you witness moms donating breast pumps and nappies to one another, you can't turn away. Helping others became an extension of my motherhood journey and a reflection of the kind of world I want my children to grow up in,' she adds. Read more | From Khayelitsha to international runways, Mzukisi Mbane on turning passion into award-winning success Now, she's a proud founder of Ask A Mom, a community-based support initiative born to create a safe, non-judgmental space for mothers. Nobuhle has created a platform where women can ask questions, share their experiences, seek advice from each other and qualified professionals, and receive both emotional and practical support. 'Whether you're navigating the early days of motherhood or balancing the demands of parenting, Ask A Mom exists to ensure that no mother feels alone at any point of their motherhood journey. We are proud to have a qualified social worker and midwife as part of our community, offering credible, compassionate guidance when it's needed most. At its core, Ask A Mom is about empowering mothers through connection, compassion, and community, regardless of their background or circumstances,' the mother of two says. Though she's no longer single, her heart has grown fond of the mothers that felt seen and heard by her. Currently, the Whatsapp group chat has over 170 moms who actively participate and support one another every day. 'For safety and to protect the integrity of the space especially since we discuss sensitive topics and offer personal support each new member is required to complete a vetting questionnaire to confirm that they are indeed a mom or a mom to be. This step ensures that the space remains trusted, secure, and genuine.' From all the stories and journeys, she's had a front-row seat to through her initiative, she says the one that stands out the most for her is one of a first-time mom who had virtually no support besides her partner. 'The moms in the group came together and created a heartfelt video filled with realistic, honest tips to support her through the early stages of motherhood. It was such a genuine act of community. 'There was also a young mom who didn't have the essentials to prepare for her baby's arrival. Without hesitation, other moms stepped in and put together a package of essentials, from nappies and baby clothes to toiletries and more. What's even more inspiring is that group members often go out of their way to deliver these items personally, breast pumps, baby clothes, nappies you name it. It's that kind of real-world action and sisterhood that keeps me going. It's proof that when women come together, incredible things happen,' she beams with pride. Under Ask A Mom, the 30-year-old houses a few programmes that include the following; - Commerce and Career Wednesdays (Ongoing) This bi-weekly digital series is dedicated to helping mothers reclaim or elevate their careers. Whether returning to work after maternity leave or exploring new professional paths, Commerce and Career Wednesdays provides practical tools like CV building, LinkedIn optimisation, interview tips, and entrepreneurial guidance. We've featured expert guests and real success stories. - Virtual Birth Class (April 2025) In response to the overwhelming need for accessible and reliable birth education, we hosted a free virtual birth class facilitated by healthcare professionals. The session covered crucial topics like labour preparation, creating birth plans, postpartum recovery, and mental well-being. - Winter Drive (Current) ' Our Winter Drive is one of our most heartfelt initiatives. As temperatures drop, we are collecting and intend to distribute warm clothing, blankets, baby supplies, and food to moms and families in need. Some moms not only donate but also volunteer to collect and deliver items to others in their area. It's a real-life reflection of the Ask A Mom spirit: no mother left behind. This drive reminds us that even the smallest act of kindness like a warm jacket or a pack of nappies can bring dignity and comfort to another family.' 'Each of these programmes is born from real needs expressed by our community. Whether it's emotional support, professional development, birth education, or physical resources, Ask A Mom strives to show up for mothers in tangible, life-changing ways.' Read more | Lawrence Maleka gets real about fame and hosting Friends of Amstel With the winter drive, the goal is to keep at least 100 families warm with winter packages, with basic items such as clothes, non-perishable food, and blankets. All the items collected will be donated to the Frida Hartley Women's Shelter in Yeoville, Johannesburg during Mandela month (July). While motherhood has taught her endurance, emotional depth, and vulnerability with all the sleepless nights and financial stress, helping other mothers has given her life purpose and meaning beyond words. If anything, it's been a constant reminder that healing can happen through community. 'In the next 5–10 years, I see Ask A Mom growing into a national network of physical and digital support hubs. I envision resource centres in every major city where mothers can get help, attend workshops, and simply connect. We hope to be a recognised voice in maternal wellbeing and advocacy, driving policy and social change,' she confidently tells Drum. Nobuhle is also the founder of Fempire Afrika, a digital solutions marketing agency that helps brands grow through strategic content and online visibility, a full-time content creator, and she also runs Luna Boheme ZA, a gold non-tarnish jewellery line that celebrates elegance, individuality, and everyday luxury.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Over 256,000 Pounds Of Canned Beef Stew Recalled Due To Wood Fragments
Hormel Foods Corporation is voltartarily recalling around 256,185 pounds of its Dinty Moore canned ... More beef stew product. (Photo: Getty) Three consumers had a beef about this stew. Apparently, they had found pieces of wood in their Dinty Moore Beef Stew and complained to the makers of the stew, Hormel Foods Corporation. Rather than have anyone else potentially stew over the situation, Hormel decided then to recall voluntarily around 256,185 pounds of its canned beef stew product, according to an announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service. The recall affects a specific lot of Dinty Moore Beef Stew that was packaged in 20 ounce cans on February 4, 2025. These cans were shipped across the U.S. If you want to determine whether your Dinty Moore Beef Stew is affected by the recall, the canned answer is look for a lot code of 'T02045', an establishment number of 'EST 199G' and a 'Best By' date of "FEB 2028.' If you find such things when you are on the can, naturally, your 'best by date' for that should be never. You should either safely discard the product or return it for a refund. Even though there haven't yet been any confirmed reports of injuries from consuming the product, you 'wood' not want to risk it yourself. In general, it's not a good idea to eat wood if you are a human or even if you are a woodchuck for that matter. Chewing on wood could end up damaging your teeth and gums. Plus, humans lack the digestive enzymes to break down wood. So if you swallow some wood, it's going to remain roughly the same shape and form straight through your gastrointestinal tract. This is similar to situation where glass was found in bread, leading to a recall, which I wrote about in Forbes earlier this month. Size (and shape) matter here. If the piece is small enough and not too sharp, it will likely just pass through your system until a few days later where poop there is. However, the risk is that the wood will get caught up somewhere in your GI tract, causing damage to the lining of your GI tract or blockage. This could lead to some type of infection as well. Therefore, if you are concerned about having ingested wood, contact a healthcare professional to get some guidance. You certainly want to seek medical advice if you have symptoms such as chest or abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting. Other possible symptoms of a potential problem could be changes in bowel movements or body temperature like a fever. Since another potential risk is an allergic reaction to something in the wood, be aware of any itching, rashes, difficulty breathing or any sign that you may be having such a reaction. Chew marks on a pencil may or may not be a sign of lignophagia (Photo: Getty) Now if you are thinking, 'wood fragments, yum,' there is something called lignophagia, where you actually like to chew on or eat wood. It comes from a combo of the Latin word 'lignum,' which stands for "wood", and the Greek word 'phago,' which means to 'to eat.' Another term for eating wood is 'xylophagia' when it occurs in human. Lignophagia is a type of pica disorder. Pica is where you want to chew or eat something that has no nutritional value. You may remember as a kid being handed pencils with bite marks all over them. That's assuming that you are old enough to know what a pencil is. Such bite marks may or may not have been a sign of lignophagia, depending on whether there was a specific preference for wood versus just chewing on something nervously or out of habit. Nevertheless, one should not be encouraged to chew on or eat wood at any time for all the aforementioned reasons. The recall notice didn't specify the size of the wood fragments that were found in the beef stew. Presumably they weren't like entire planks of wood, since those would have been tough to fit inside a can. So, this situation may end up not having any adverse health effects. But it's still a good idea to check your beef stew and the can from where it came.
Fast Company
5 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
Thinking about starting a business this year? Here's what to know before you take the leap
Starting a business is one of the most optimistic acts a person can take. It signals confidence in your idea, your market, and yourself. But if you've been feeling hesitant lately, you're not alone. While early 2025 kicked off with strong startup momentum, our team at Registered Agents Inc observed a sharp decline in February business formations—down 13% from January and 4% year-over-year, according to our latest Monthly Business Formation Report. This is a statistic, but it's also a reflection of the moment we're in. Trade policy is shifting, interest rates remain elevated, and federal budget cuts are beginning to ripple through sectors that depend on government contracts or consumer confidence. But even in times of uncertainty, businesses are still being formed—over 442,000 of them in February alone. So, if you're on the edge of a decision, here's what to consider before you file your paperwork or pitch your first customer. UNDERSTAND THE TIMING, BUT DON'T LET IT PARALYZE YOU There's never a perfect time to start a business, but some times are more complex than others. Right now, entrepreneurs are navigating a fluid economic environment. Tariffs are roiling global supply chains. Federal cutbacks are creating regional ripple effects and consumer behavior continues to shift post-pandemic. That said, we've also seen how local momentum can override national headwinds. In Washington, for example, business formations jumped 38% in February, buoyed by local grant programs and proposed investor tax credits. Louisiana saw a 19% increase thanks to economic activity tied to the Super Bowl and infrastructure expansion. Lesson? National trends are important—but local conditions often drive outcomes. BUILD A BUFFER—FINANCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY Starting lean has always been smart, but today, it's essential. With inflation still impacting costs and the threat of trade wars looming, your business plan needs breathing room. Whether it's extra savings, a part-time income stream, or a longer runway before profitability, a buffer gives you the flexibility to adapt when things (inevitably) shift. Consider setting aside at least three to six months of operating expenses in a dedicated reserve account. This financial cushion can buy you crucial time to respond strategically rather than react impulsively when challenges arise. And don't forget the mental buffer. Starting something new takes energy and resilience. Give yourself permission to iterate and pivot without seeing it as failure. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Considering where you form your business is equally as important as why. States like Wyoming, Texas, and Delaware have long been known for business-friendly environments. But new players are emerging, too, like New Mexico and Nevada. Our data has consistently shown that policy matters. States with reduced red tape, better privacy protections, and lower filing fees tend to attract more entrepreneurs. If you're mobile or remote-friendly, exploring different state options for incorporation can offer real advantages. PLAN FOR COMPLIANCE FROM DAY ONE This may not be the most exciting part of the startup journey, but it's one of the most important. From entity type to EIN to registered agent services, setting up properly can save you from expensive issues down the road. Many founders delay or overlook this, and it catches up fast—especially if you're planning to raise capital or scale across states. For example, is your business name available in your state and as a domain name? Can your registered agent still serve you if you expand into another state? And how will you stay on top of annual compliance requirements? A small investment in setting things up right is often the difference between staying nimble and getting bogged down. FIND THE SIGNAL IN THE NOISE While business formations overall may have dipped in February, hundreds of thousands of people still said 'yes' to their vision. If you're thinking about joining them, ask yourself this: Are you waiting because it's truly not the right time, or because the climate feels uncertain? Because uncertainty is a constant in business. The entrepreneurs who succeed are often those who learn to move through it. The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well and evolving. Founders today are more intentional. They're launching smarter. They're picking their moments and doing the work to ensure their foundation is solid. If you're planning to take the leap this year, don't let national turbulence steer you off course. Just make sure your parachute is packed and your paperwork is in order.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Lennar De-Risking Portfolio Through Strategic Shift
(Photo Illustration by Igor Golovniov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Lennar Corporation (NYSE: LEN, $105.18; Market Capitalization: $27.6 billion) took a significant step in its long-term strategic transformation by completing the spin-off of Millrose Properties (NYSE: MRP, $28.03; Market Capitalization: $4.7 billion) on February 7, 2025. This move marked the culmination of a multiyear shift toward an asset-light, land-light operating model for the company. By transferring its land banking assets into Millrose, a publicly traded Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), Lennar has effectively decoupled land ownership from its core homebuilding operations. Millrose will now be responsible for acquiring, developing, and delivering finished lots to Lennar on a just-in-time basis, allowing Lennar to focus on its core competency i.e. home construction, while significantly reducing capital intensity and balance sheet risk. Lennar Price Performance Spin-Off Details and Top 5 Shareholders This transformation is rooted in Lennar's evolving land strategy, which has increasingly relied on land option contracts rather than outright ownership. As of March 2025, approximately 98.0% of Lennar's lot position was controlled through land option contracts reflecting a dramatic shift that can enhance capital efficiency and supports stronger cash flow generation. The spin-off of Millrose Properties further institutionalizes this approach, enabling Lennar to maintain a flexible and scalable land pipeline without the burden of land carrying costs. Owned vs. Optioned Composition With this asset-light model firmly in place, Lennar is now doubling down on a volume first strategy. Lennar's 1Q25 results highlighted the balancing act between sustaining sales momentum and managing profitability in a challenging housing environment. Consumer hesitancy, driven by high mortgage rates and insufficient down payment savings, required the company to provide increased incentives to drive demand, which put pressure on margins (~388 basis point YoY contraction in EBIT margin to 9.4%). We believe, US housing will continue to be plagued by historically low affordability with little relief in sight, as a modest pullback in rates will get offset by higher home prices in the near-term. The company is now targeting 8.0–10.0% YoY annual growth in home deliveries, with projections of up to 87,000 closings in FY25, including contribution (~4,000 units) from its partnership with Rausch Coleman. To achieve this, Lennar intends to leverage pricing strategies via elevated buyer incentives, which may further compress gross margins. However, we expect margins to act as a shock absorber, which are likely to support consistent volume growth and cash generation. Key Data For 2Q25, Lennar Corporation expects new home orders in the range of 22,500-23,500 and home deliveries in the range of 19,500-20,500. The company expects its average sales price to decline to $390,000-400,000 (1Q25: $408,000), reflecting continued affordability-driven pricing adjustments. The gross margin on home sales is expected to fall to 18.0% from 18.7% in 1Q25. The establishment of Millrose Properties and the continued execution of Lennar's asset light strategy reinforce the company's long-term positioning for resilience and profitability. By delegating land acquisition and development to a specialized REIT, Lennar can concentrate on its core strength i.e. efficient homebuilding while mitigating capital risk and enhancing operational flexibility. That said, the broader US housing market remains under pressure from persistent affordability challenges, elevated mortgage rates, and softening consumer sentiment. These headwinds, as acknowledged by management in the recent quarterly results, are likely to impact near-term order volumes and compress margins. In this environment, Lennar must continue to carefully manage inventory levels and adopt dynamic pricing strategies to protect profitability and sustain market share. We maintain our target price of $121.00 per share on Lennar. Given a reasonable upside of 15.0% from the last closing price, we revise our rating to a BUY on Lennar. While FY25 may be a transitional year with some earnings softness, the outlook for FY26 and beyond is improving, making Lennar a stock to watch in the homebuilding sector. Key highlights of the conference call (1Q25) • Revenue growth of 4.4% YoY was driven by consistent volume growth and a balanced sales pace. The homebuilding segment delivered 17,834 homes, up 6.2% YoY. However, gross margins declined to 18.7%, largely attributed to increased sales incentives (+13% YoY), primarily used to offset affordability constraints faced by buyers. While incentives are currently above normal levels, Lennar expects them to stabilize around 5-6% in the long term, which would support a gross margin recovery to the mid-20% range. • Selling, General & Administrative (SG&A) expenses amounted to 8.5% of revenue, which were slightly elevated due to ongoing restructuring and operational adjustments following the Millrose spin-off. • Millrose Spin-Off: Lennar completed the spin-off of Millrose, distributing 80% of Millrose's shares to Lennar shareholders. This move was a part of the Lennar's intended transition to an asset-light, land-light model, which reduced the company's exposure to land ownership and development risks. • Rausch Coleman Acquisition: The acquisition of Rausch Coleman Homes was a strategic move to expand Lennar's market presence and operational efficiency. This acquisition aligned with Lennar's asset-light model, enabling the company to enter new markets with reduced capital intensity. • Lennar improved its inventory turnover to 1.7x, up from 1.5x in the previous year. The company ended the quarter with approximately 38,300 homes in inventory, including 3,100 complete but unsold homes, which equates to about two unsold homes per community. This is within the company's target range and reflects disciplined inventory management. • Lennar continues to focus on reducing construction costs and improving operational efficiency. In 1Q25, direct construction costs decreased 2.5% YoY, marking the lowest cost levels since 3Q21. This decline was achieved through strategic partnerships with trade suppliers and ongoing improvements in supply chain management. • Macro Environment: The broader housing market continues to face headwinds, with mortgage rates remaining high and consumer confidence wavering. While underlying demand for homes remains strong, affordability challenges and tight lending conditions have limited actionable demand. This environment has led to increased use of incentives across the industry to support sales. At the same time, Lennar highlighted ongoing supply constraints due to years of underproduction, restrictive zoning policies, and higher land development costs. These constraints have kept the overall housing supply tight. • Pricing: To maintain steady sales despite affordability challenges, Lennar relied on pricing adjustments, mortgage rate buydowns, and closing cost assistance. These strategies were particularly necessary in high volume markets such as Florida and Texas, where affordability constraints were more pronounced. While these measures have pressured margins in the short term, they have been instrumental in maintaining the sales pace and preventing unsold inventory accumulation. Revenue Trend vs. EBIT vs. Margin Trend 1Q25 results Total revenue grew by 4.4% YoY to $7.6 billion (+1.9% vs. consensus), driven by a 5.1% YoY growth in the Homebuilding segment to $7.3 billion. Financial Services segment revenue grew 11.0% YoY to $277.1 million, and Others by 191.2% YoY to $7.4 million. Multifamily segment revenue declined 51.3% YoY to $63.2 million. EBIT declined 26.0% YoY to $720.7 million (+1.8% vs. consensus), and the corresponding margin contracted ~388 bps to 9.4%, impacted by a decline in the operating earnings of the Homebuilding segment due to a decline in the average sale prices. Net earnings declined by 27.8% YoY to $519.5 million (+11.7% vs. consensus), and the corresponding margin contracted ~303 bps to 6.8%. Earnings per share stood at $1.96 (1Q24: $2.97), beating the consensus by 13.1%. The Homebuilding segment revenue growth was driven by a 6.2% YoY growth in home deliveries, offset by a 1.2% decline in the average sales price to $408,000. Segment's gross margin contracted by ~310bps YoY to 18.7% (1Q25: 21.8%) due to rising land costs and a drop in revenue per square foot on account of increased sales incentives of 13.0% YoY, which were used to offset affordability constraints faced by buyers. The decline in gross margin was partially offset by lower material costs due to reduced construction expenses. Operating earnings declined by 21.3% to $809.3 million. The Financial Services' segment operating earnings grew 9.3% YoY to $143.5 million, primarily due to higher volume from increased deliveries. 1Q25 Investment ThesisWell Positioned to Capitalize on Growth Trends The US residential construction market, valued at around $590 billion in 2024, is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 3% from 2024 to 2029. This growth is driven by the increasing need for affordable housing, demographic trends such as millennials entering the housing market, and ongoing urbanization. Lennar, as one of the largest homebuilders in the US, is well-positioned to capitalize on these industry growth trends. As of 3Q24, Lennar holds a market share of approximately 22.8% within the US Construction Services Industry. The company offers a diverse range of home types, from entry-level to luxury homes, catering to various customer segments, which helps it attract a broad customer base and adapt to changing market conditions. Strategic Spin-Off to Enhance Focus and Efficiency Following the spin-off of Millrose Properties, Lennar is poised to strengthen its position as one of the leading homebuilders in the US. The spin-off aligns with Lennar's strategic shift towards an asset-light, land-light business model, allowing the company to focus more on its core competencies of homebuilding and financial services. By divesting its development operations to Millrose, Lennar can reduce its capital intensity and improve its return on equity, making it a more attractive investment for shareholders. Healthy Order Backlog and Partnerships to Support Growth in a Constrained Housing Market As of FY24-end, the company has an order backlog of 11,633 homes with a dollar value of $5.4 billion. The US housing market continues to face a supply-demand imbalance, with a chronic shortage of homes driving demand for new construction. Lennar is well positioned to capitalize on this trend, leveraging its extensive land inventory and efficient construction processes. Additionally, purchase of Rausch Coleman Homes, an affordability-priced growth driver is expected to add approximately 5,000 homes, with an average sales price of $230,000 to Lennar's portfolio. As per media articles, the acquisition alone is projected to account for half of Lennar's stated 10% growth target for FY25. Strong Financial Health and Capital Allocation Post spin-off, Lennar's financial health remains robust, with significant cash reserves and low debt levels. As of FY24, the company reported $4.7 billion in cash and cash equivalents and a homebuilding debt-to-total capital ratio of 7.5%. The spin-off will further strengthen Lennar's balance sheet by reducing land-related liabilities and freeing up capital for growth initiatives. Lennar's disciplined capital allocation strategy, including share repurchases (13.6 million shares repurchased for $2.1 billion in FY24) and strategic acquisitions like Rausch Coleman Homes, underscores its commitment to enhancing shareholder value. Interest Rate Challenges May Continue to Drive Lower New Orders During 4Q24, new orders decreased by 3.0% YoY to 16,895 homes, resulting in a dollar value decrease of 1.0% YoY to $7.2 billion. Deliveries too saw a decline of 7.0% YoY to 22,206 homes. The decline can be attributed to several factors, including higher mortgage rates, economic uncertainty, and potential supply chain disruptions. The housing market that appeared to be improving as the Fed cut short-term interest rates, proved to be far more challenging as mortgage rates rose almost 100 basis points through the quarter. As per management, even while demand remained strong, and the chronic supply shortage continued to drive the market, Lennar's results were driven by affordability limitations from higher interest rates. Accordingly, the sales pace lagged expectations as interest rates climbed and the new orders fell short of expectations vs the guidance of 19,000 homes. Against this backdrop, the company guides to remain focused on volume-based strategy of driving sales and cash flow while using margin as a shock absorber. Valuation and recommendationLennar Corporation (Stub Entity) We value Lennar using the relative valuation methodology on 2025E P/E. We compare Lennar with listed companies engaged in the residential construction space such as PulteGroup, Inc., Toll Brothers, Inc., D.R. Horton, Inc., NVR, Inc., Taylor Morrison Home Corporation and Meritage Homes Corporation. Lennar, as one of the largest homebuilders in the US, is well-positioned to capitalize on industry growth trends such as the increasing need for affordable housing, millennials entering the housing market, and rising urbanization. However, the US housing market is currently navigating challenges like rising mortgage rates and a potential oversupply of new properties. Rising rates could slow sales momentum, especially in markets where affordability is already strained. This can pose to be a headwind for homebuilders like Lennar, requiring strategic inventory and pricing management to maintain profitability and market share. A challenging market due to weak affordability as highlighted by the management in recent results and softening consumer confidence weigh on Lennar's near-term orders and profitability. We continue to ascribe a P/E multiple (x) of 10.5x and adjust our earnings outlook to reflect impact of lower new orders and gross margins. We arrive at an implied equity value of $30.3 billion. We consider the revised diluted shares outstanding of ~263 million for per share fair value computation. Our fair value for Lennar (Stub Entity) stands at $115.3 per share. We add the Millrose's 20.0% per share fair value to arrive at a stub target price per share of $121.0. We revise our rating to a BUY from HOLD on Lennar. Valuation Stub Entity Company DescriptionLennar Corporation (Stub Entity) Lennar Corporation (LEN), founded in 1954, is a leading homebuilder headquartered in Miami, Florida. Lennar's operating segments comprise Homebuilding operations, Financial Services, Multifamily and Lennar Other. The Homebuilding segment primarily includes the construction and sale of single-family attached and detached homes. The Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title insurance, and closing services primarily for buyers of Lennar's homes through the LMF Commercial subsidiary. The Multifamily segment develops high-quality multifamily rental properties, and the Lennar Other segment comprises investments in technology initiatives directly or indirectly related to improving its business.
Forbes
24-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Ghostworking: 92% Of Employees Job Search On Company Time
A new study reveals ghostworking is killing productivity and that a whopping 92% of employees say ... More they job hunt when they're on the clock. The trend of ghostworking—pretending to work while doing little to no meaningful work--isn't a new phenomenon. It has been a tactic for employees to react to demands imposed on them from management or the result of their desperation to prove they're working for fear of losing their jobs. It used to be called productivity theater or quiet quitting. Now, ghostworking has taken on a whole new dimension--not just fake working but job hunting when on the clock. Ghostworking is a sign of the growing mistrust and tug-of-war between employers and employees, as both sides display under-the-radar tactics. Since the pandemic, employers have been engaging in certain types of quiet maneuvering like 'quiet cutting' and employee surveillance to assuage the needs of business and stabilize their workforce. Employees, under pressure to perform and 'prove' they're working, have retaliated with quiet workaround tactics of their own such as mouse shuffling, 'coffee badging' and 'quiet vacationing.' A new study reveals that ghostworkers are adding insult to injury, not only pretending to work but job hunting on company time. Resume Now's latest Ghostworking Report indicates a growing productivity crisis of employees faking productivity and even job searching instead of working. The survey was conducted with 1,127 American workers on February 25, 2025. Participants were asked about their time-wasting habits, workplace distractions and the frequency of procrastination at work. As companies explore ways to prevent killers of productivity, researchers insist that data from this study suggests time-wasting is about the pressure to appear busy. Employees have developed creative strategies to maintain the illusion of productivity, even as many report wasting more time while working remotely than in the office. The findings reveal that 58% of workers admit they regularly pretend to work and 34% do so occasionally—often due to pressure to appear busy rather than actually being productive. The survey listed the common strategies employees use to create the illusion of productivity at work: The researchers explain that these behaviors are the result of a widespread disconnect between expectations and engagement. The study reveals that, when you think the divide couldn't get any worse, shocking numbers of employees confess that they job search when they're supposed to be working. Perhaps the most shocking survey findings are what ghostworkers are doing to kill time. A whopping 92% admit that they have job-searched during work hours, 55% have regularly searched for a new job while on the clock and 37% have occasionally searched for a new job during work hours. The most common bold job-hunting move is the 24% of ghostworkers who use company time to edit resumes. Another 23% confess to applying for jobs using work computers, 20% admit to taking recruiter calls from the office and 19% say they have sneaked out for an interview. Keith Spencer, career expert at Resume Now, sees ghostworking as a symptom of poor communication and burnout. 'Many employees feel pressure to appear busy rather than actually being productive,' he says. 'Rather than focusing on monitoring, companies should explore why employees feel the need to fake productivity and consider addressing underlying issues like unproductive meetings and communication gaps.' On the surface, the profile of all ghostworking looks the same. But it's important that employers exercise caution in judging employee motives without knowing the whole story. A deeper look unearths a variety of factors that can lead workers to check out and not measure up to their potential. Don't judge a book by its cover. The first step employers can take is to distinguish between ghostworkers who are dragging their feet and doing the bare minimum for the wrong reasons and an A-team worker who is engaged, doing the best but burning out. Or a disheartened employee, overlooked for a promotion, but has been committed to the company. It's important to heck in with employees on a regular basis in a non- threatening way and engage employees in a two-way conversation about their emotional state and individual goals that indicate you care and appreciate them. Give employees a seat at the table. Let them know you see and hear them. Connect with individual workers on a regular basis so they feel valued and appreciated. Open and honest conversations with staff about expectations can make employees feel like they have a vested interest in the company. Celebrate and acknowledge workers. Most surveys show that the number one quality employees want above all others is feeling valued and appreciated by their company. Create employee appreciation initiatives so team members feel celebrated and acknowledged for their hard work. Offering growth opportunities for advancement is the ticket to company loyalty. Workers want to know that their company values their development, wants to see them meet their full potential and is willing to support their training, mentoring and coaching. The Resume Now survey asked employees whether monitoring employee activity would increase productivity, and 69% answer they would be more productive if their employer monitored their screen time, 19% say monitoring would not change their work habits, 10% say they would just find other ways to take breaks and three percent say it wouldn't matter because they already stay focused. The larger, more significant view, however, is building employer-employee trust. It's a vicious dance. When employers micro-manage employees, ghostworking is a natural consequence, and when management is aware of ghostworkers, supervision is the result. Both reactions are productivity killers that fuel the cycle. Both sides can end the ghostworking cycle when they place value on productivity over mere visibility and grow a healthier, more productive and engaged workforce.
