By now, you've likely heard of 'quiet quitting.' The practice involves employees disengaging from the job and doing the bare minimum. It's a new way for employees who are underpaid, overworked and undervalued to feel like they can gain some control over their situation.
But for those who are seeking to feel more reengaged with their work (or simply not as negative about it), there's a new strategy to try — 'quiet thriving.'
I came across this idea via
The Washington Post
, which recommended steps such as setting intentions, advocating for a cause to make a positive change within your workplace or job, setting boundaries and writing reminders for yourself of what you like about your work.
I understand this approach might not be possible in a toxic workplace where 'quiet quitting' may be a person's only recourse, but in a world full of negatives it's one way to try and flip your outlook on a difficult situation. Let me know what you think and if you'll give any of these strategies a try.
Now, let's get to the news.
- Baltimore will begin enforcement of six busy city intersections today as part of a ban on squeegeeing, a controversial practice in which workers, who are often youth, wash car windows for cash. Adults who violate the ban will receive two warnings and then a citation. Children will get a warning, then their school, parent or guardian will be notified, and if those efforts are unsuccessful, they will be taken to the Department of Social Services' juvenile division. The enforcement is part of a larger plan to offer squeegee workers support services and career opportunities. A deputy mayor at City Hall, Faith Leach, said it's likely there could be "some failures," but that they will remain steadfast in their efforts. Police have been told their enforcement must be "equitable" and not return to past unconstitutional policing practices. Baltimore Sun
- The Director of the
Baltimore City Department of Public Works
has resigned amid calls from city councilmembers to do so. Mayor Scott announced yesterday that
Jason Mitchell, Ed.D.
will leave the position in April "to tend to family matters." Just hours before, councilmembers
Zeke Cohen
and
Isaac "Yitzy" Schleifer
sent a letter to Mitchell asking him to either resume full weekly recycling pickup within the next eight weeks or resign — amid other criticisms of DPW. (Weekly recycling has not resumed since the 2020 pandemic began). Mitchell has been in the position since July 2021. Baltimore Fishbowl
- As the General Assembly prepares to convene tomorrow, there is a huge pool of freshmen who will serve in new positions. The members range in age from 25 to 72, and three of the eight incoming senators, and 14 of the 40 incoming delegates, are women. They are also racially and ethnically diverse. Maryland Matters has all the details on the incoming class.
- A Black couple has sued the
四季酒店
Baltimore alleging they were turned away from staying at the upscale residence because of their race. The incident took place on December 31, 2019, and the complaint was filed in Baltimore Circuit Court on Dec. 30. The lawsuit alleges the hotel kept raising room rates on the couple when they tried to book, questioned whether their credit card was stolen and suggested they "may be better off going to a Motel 6." The couple had planned to stay at the luxury hotel as part of a NYE celebration. Baltimore Brew
- A city councilman is looking to increase penalties for businesses that serve minors under 16 during school hours, and establish a nighttime curfew.
Kristerfer Burnett
introduced the bill Monday in the wake of a shooting last week at the Edmondson Village Shopping Center that resulted in the death of a high school student. Under current law, parents, businesses and employees can be fined up to $500 for allowing minors to violate the curfew, with some lower consequences for first offenses. Burnett says the current penalties aren't doing enough to make businesses and parents act. Baltimore Banner
- A longtime youth summer camp serving Baltimore and Harford counties has closed. Nature Camps Inc. posted on its website late last year that 2022 was its last summer season as its founder Don Webb, 81, plans to retire. The camp, which offers attendees campfires, hiking, swimming and more, opened in 1974. It had four locations in the area. Baltimore Sun
- As President Biden's massive student loan forgiveness plan faces a Supreme Court decision, his administration will also unveil an ambitious new repayment program. However, the effort — which would cut loan payments in half for undergraduate borrowers — could face difficulties because the
Federal Student Aid an Office of the U.S. Department of Education
(FSA) is in an unexpected funding crisis. As it turns out, the $1.7 trillion omnibus bill passed last month by Congress did not provide enough money for FSA to complete the work it has been asked to perform by Congress, Biden and the courts. The result could be catastrophic for the agency and people with federal student loan debts. NPR
- Not only has the supply-demand structure of the industrial real estate market flipped, but sublease space has begun showing up with increasing frequency. Supply outpaced demand in the industrial real estate sector for the second straight quarter during the fourth quarter of 2022, an inversion on several months of breakneck demand for warehouse space across the U.S., reports
Ashley Fahey
of
The Business Journals
. At the same time, industrial space has found its way onto the sublease market in increasing quantities, prompting concerns over a correction in the market as economic headwinds and overall uncertainty challenge the industry. Get the full story at the BBJ, or sign up for The Business Journals' National Observer email to get daily stories of national business news sent straight to your inbox.
This newsletter was written by Carley Milligan, digital editor at the Baltimore Business Journal. You can reach me at [email protected].
