Jan 23, 2023

Why unemployment remains low even as layoffs tick up

Eblis/Getty Images

Hint: It has to do with the tight job market and old unemployment systems. Plus, an MBA class tackles uncomfortable workplace conversations.

Segments From this episode

Layoffs are up, first-time jobless claims are down. What gives?

by Mitchell Hartman

Jan 23, 2023

The job market is still tight, so many who've lost jobs rejoin the workforce fast. Others aren't eager to deal with the unemployment insurance system.

Despite layoffs at big tech and finance companies, first-time jobless claims recently fell to 190,000 — a level rarely seen since the pandemic hit in 2020.

Eblis/Getty Images

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Business economists seem a little more optimistic, survey finds

by Nancy Marshall-Genzer

Jan 23, 2023

A majority still think the country is headed for a recession. But the majority's shrinking.

A little more than half of economists surveyed by the National Association for Business Economics expect a recession, down from about two-thirds in October.

Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

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Banks want in on digital wallets — and the consumer data that comes with them

by Stephanie Hughes

Jan 23, 2023

Seven banks, including Wells Fargo and Capital One, are launching a competitor to services like Apple Pay and PayPal later this year.

Banks are slated to unveil a new digital wallet later this year, aimed at competing with services like Apple Pay.

Duane Prokop/Getty Images for MasterCard

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What would a common currency mean for Brazil and Argentina?

by Lily Jamali

Jan 23, 2023

The eurozone, the world's largest currency bloc, is both a blueprint and cautionary tale for the two countries.

Argentina's inflation rate hit a three-decade record of 95% last year. Above, Argentine pesos in a bill-counting machine.

Luis Robayo/AFP via Getty Images

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This grad course teaches MBA students how to handle conflict at work

by Kai Ryssdal and Sean McHenry

Jan 23, 2023

Role-playing is key in training to fix interpersonal problems on the job. "It's not about being right or wrong, it's being effective," a facilitator says.

"Managing up" is a challenging part of workplace relationships. "There's the power dynamics of, 'What if I tell this person this and then am I gonna get fired?'" said Bree Jenkins, a facilitator of Difficult Conversations: Conflict Lab.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Told You So Paramore

Pina Colada Freddie Joachim

The Death of Us Theo Katzman

Circles Post Malone

2 the Music KAYTRANADA, Iman Omari

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Daisy Palacios Senior Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer

Sean McHenry Associate Producer

Andie Corban Associate Producer

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer

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