Latest from Al Joumhouria
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'Quiet Cracking': The Workplace Issue That's Driving Down Productivity And Affecting Morale
We've all heard of "quiet quitting," the phenomenon of employees quietly doing less work for an employer, and only completing their most core responsibilities. Now, EY America Chief Wellbeing Officer Frank Giampietro says there's a new phenomenon employers need to keep an eye out for: "quiet cracking." Quiet cracking is when employees "show up... do their job, but they struggle in silence while they do it," Giampietro told Business Insider. 'What we've seen in the market more recently is that a lot of folks are actually staying with their current employers, but they're not actually thriving at work." Don't Miss: The same firms that backed Uber, Venmo and eBay are investing in this pre-IPO company disrupting a $1.8T market — These five entrepreneurs are worth $223 billion – Giampietro says the job market is a driving factor behind quiet cracking. With hiring and job creation both slowing down, many people are electing to stay in their current roles for the stability, even if they're unhappy. 'A lot of folks actually feel stuck where they are, and it's not necessarily that they're making a choice around continuing to be there, but it's that they don't have other choices available to them that are better,' he told the website. These circumstances lead to high levels of disengagement and dissatisfaction in employees. Which, in turn, erodes morale and productivity in the workplace. Giampietro says that the signs of quiet cracking look similar to burnout, though less extreme. You may notice physical symptoms, like an employee calling out sick more often than normal, or a decline in performance. Trending: 'Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. You can Although the signs can vary, managers should be 'looking for changes in what you would see as a typical behavior pattern for the folks on your team,' he said. He suggests addressing the problem head-on, checking in with any employee you may be concerned about, and asking if there is any way you can help address the issue. Lead-ins like 'Hey, I've noticed a change in your behavior. Can we talk about it? I just want to make sure you're OK,' can be an effective way to let a struggling employee know that you care without feeling too aggressive, he says. Quiet cracking can have real monetary implications for a company, too. In its 2025 State of the Global Workplace report, Gallup found that employee engagement had decreased from 23% to 21%. A change that cost the global economy $438 billion in lost is only the second time since 2012 that employee engagement has decreased, according to Gallup. The last time was in 2020. For Giampietro, this makes sense. Focus on employee well-being surged during and after the pandemic, but as things have returned to normal, business priorities have shifted again. "There was a lot of focus and attention on well-being coming out of the pandemic, especially with high turnover in most organizations, but as turnover has stabilized, there's been a focus on cost,' Giampietro told Business Insider. 'Well-being may not be getting the attention it deserves in most organizations.' Read Next: In a $34 Trillion Debt Era, The Right AI Could Be Your Financial Advantage — Image: Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article 'Quiet Cracking': The Workplace Issue That's Driving Down Productivity And Affecting Morale originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
S&P Flags Risks Even As U.S. Keeps 'AA+' Rating
This article first appeared on GuruFocus. S&P Global is keeping America's credit standing intact. The agency reaffirmed its 'AA+' sovereign rating for the U.S. on Thursday, saying Trump's new wave of tariffs should generate enough meaningful revenue to cushion the fiscal hit from his tax-and-spending plan. The outlook stays stable, a nod to the economy's underlying resilience even as deficits remain stubbornly high. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 9 Warning Signs with INTC. Is QQQ fairly valued? Test your thesis with our free DCF calculator. Growth, though, is expected to slow. S&P sees GDP rising just 1.7% in 2025 and 1.6% in 2026, before inching back toward 2% later in the decade. Debt is on track to climb near 100% of GDP, squeezed by swelling interest costs and the pressures of an aging population. Tariffs are already showing up in the numbers. Customs duty collections jumped $21 billion in July, though the monthly deficit still grew 19% year-on-year to $291 million. Longer term, estimates suggest tariffs could raise $2.9 trillion from 20262035, adding about $2,700 to the average taxpayer's bill in 2026 alone. Still, S&P warned of downgrade risks if deficits spiral or politics erode confidence in U.S. policymaking and the Fed's independencejeopardizing the dollar's role as the world's reserve currency. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Man charged with murder after ice cream seller stabbed to death
A man has been charged with murder after an ice cream seller was stabbed to death in north-west London. Shazad Khan, 41, was pronounced dead at the scene after officers responded to reports of an altercation in Monks Park in Wembley at 6.10pm on Tuesday. Zaher Zaarour, 26, of Brent in north-west London, has been charged with murder and possession of a bladed article, the Metropolitan Police announced on Thursday. He is due to appear at Willesden Magistrates' Court on Friday. A 31-year-old woman was arrested at the scene on suspicion of conspiracy to murder – but has been bailed pending further inquiries, the force said. Detective Chief Inspector Paul Waller said: 'I would like to thank the community for their help and support during this investigation. 'Residents can expect to see an increase of officers in the local area over the next coming days as the investigation continues.' Local residents told the PA news agency that Mr Khan was well known in the area for selling ice creams in a van. Asim Mahmood Butt, 39, who lives in nearby Tokyngton Avenue, said he was childhood friends with the victim. Speaking at the scene on Wednesday, he said: 'I got a call from one of my cousins. 'This guy, we know him – he's a famous ice cream guy. He got stabbed yesterday. 'I came here and his body was still here, and police had cordoned off the area. 'I know his brothers as well – they're all local. We all used to play cricket and football here in Monks Park. 'He started (selling) ice cream about a year ago.' Mr Butt said Mr Khan was married and had a young daughter. The ice cream van, which had been parked on the road at the time of the incident, was well known locally for having a large teddy bear, the witness added.
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NBCUniversal, MLB nearing three-year deal approaching $600 million, WSJ reports
(Reuters) -Comcast-owned NBCUniversal is in advanced talks with the Major League Baseball to carry games on NBC and the Peacock streaming service in a three-year deal approaching $200 million annually, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Zuni Youth Enrichment Project Kicks Off Youth Soccer and Flag Football Leagues on Monday, Sept. 8
ZUNI, NM — This month, 170 young athletes will take the field as the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project launches its annual Soccer and Flag Football Leagues. Beginning Monday, Sept. 8 and continuing through Sunday, Oct. 19, the leagues will bring together youth, families and 40 community coaches for two months of skill-building, teamwork and fun at Ho'n A:wan Park. Families still have time to register their children. To sign up, scan the QR code on ZYEP's website at or on the youth project's Facebook page at Interested families also may contact Physical Activity Coordinator Tyler Sice directly at (505) 782-8000 or tsice@ The two fall leagues are made possible with support from Nike, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the New Mexico Department of Health. The players will practice twice per week after school and participate in weekly games on Sunday mornings at Ho'n A:wan Park. 'Sunday games will begin with soccer from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., followed by flag football from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m.,' Sice said. ZYEP's Flag Football League has two divisions — one for ages 7 to 9 and the other for ages 10 to 12 — and can accommodate up to 90 players. The Soccer League accommodates approximately 80 children ages 4 to 9. Older children have an opportunity to play through the youth project's travel soccer league, with games taking place in Gallup, New Mexico, on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. For 15 years, ZYEP has offered youth sports with the belief that athletics have the power to transform lives and strengthen community bonds in Zuni. The youth project's sports leagues offer a challenging environment that also is collaborative, supportive and empowering. According to ZYEP surveys, participants consistently report feeling more confident, more connected to their community and more supported due to their relationships with coaches and teammates. Parents say the leagues improve their children's health, encourage more physical activity and provide positive role models. According to the coaches, the youth sports leagues also have a positive effect on them. Coach Anissa Mahkee said working with the kids teaches patience, communication skills, adaptability and confidence. 'The small victories along the way are the best part,' Mahkee said. 'Like a shy kid getting the encouragement to do a drill, taking a shot with confidence, or simply interacting with each other in their own little world — these moments make it truly rewarding. 'Soccer is something completely new for me and my partner, and maybe even for some of the kids, but that's what makes it exciting,' she continued. 'It's something fun we all really want to try, and we want to make our small team feel like a team. We hope to turn our weekly practices into something everyone can look forward to — an hour full of fun, laughter and genuine enjoyment for the kids.' Throughout the season, ZYEP coaches will focus on building skills and confidence while weaving Zuni culture into practices and games. By using the Zuni language and reinforcing cultural values like teamwork, strength and resilience, coaches help children strengthen both their athletic and cultural identities. 'I'm most excited about the journey of learning alongside the players during this upcoming season,' said coach LaShawna Weahkee. 'I'm also excited to just have fun with the team, because that's what it's all about.' Each year, ZYEP engages with more than 500 youth through its leagues in soccer, flag football, basketball, mini-basketball and T-ball. Beyond sports, these programs provide mentorship and camaraderie infused with Zuni's powerful community spirit. To learn more about the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project and its programs, and for information about making donations, partnering with ZYEP, and volunteering, call (505) 782-8000 or visit And, to stay up to date on the latest news and events, follow the nonprofit youth organization on Facebook (/zuniyouthenrichmentproject), Instagram (@zuniyouthenrichmentproject), YouTube (/ZuniYouth), and TikTok (/zyep09) About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@ Contact: levi@
