THIS WEEK ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT," PUTTING THE ECONOMY FIRST AND CENTER, WITH MIDTERM ELECTIONS JUST WEEKS AWAY.

>> DEMOCRAT HOUSE LEADERS IN THE STATE FAILED YOU.

>> NEW JERSEY REPUBLICANS LAY OUT THEIR PLAN FOR THE ECONOMY AS THE WHITE HOUSE TAKES STEPS TO REIN IN GAS PRICES.

>>> PLUS, IS IT THE NEXT BIG THING IN GAMBLING?

E-SPORTS ENTREPRENEURS DESCEND ON NEW JERSEY TO BRING VIDEO GAMING AND CASINO GAMING TOGETHER.

>>> AND, WE PUT YOUR WORK/LIFE BALANCE IN FOCUS FROM BEING A WORKING PARENT.

THAT'S AHEAD ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

♪ ♪ >> Announcer: THIS IS "NJ BUSINESS BEAT" WITH RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

>> HELLO, I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

WHETHER IT'S HEARING WARNINGS ABOUT A RECESSION OR WORRYING ABOUT MAKING ENDS MEET, WE'VE GOT THE ECONOMY ON OUR MINDS.

A RUTGERS EAGLETON POLL CITES THE ECONOMY AS THE KEY CONCERN HEADING INTO ELECTION DAY AND MOST OF THE LIKELY VOTERS SURVEYED SAID THE ECONOMY IS ON THE WRONG TRACK.

OTHER POLLS HAVE SHOWN SIMILAR FINDINGS.

THIS WEEK, BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ARGUED THEY HAVE THE PLAN TO PUT THE ECONOMY ON A BETTER COURSE.

IN TRENTON A FEW DAYS AGO REPUBLICANS RUNNING FOR CONGRESSIONAL SEATS IN NEW JERSEY HELD A NEWS CONFERENCE TO FOCUS ON INFLATION AND TAXES.

THEY ARE ARGUED DEMOCRATS ARE TOO FOCUSED ON SOCIAL ISSUES LIKE ABORTION.

CANDIDATE FRANK PALOTTA RUNNING AGAINST DISTRICT 5 INCUMBENT JOSH GOTTHEIMER HIGHLIGHTED THE FAILURE OF DEMOCRATS TO REPEAL THE LIMIT ON STATE AND LOCAL TAX DEDUCTIONS.

YOU WILL RECALL THE S.A.L.T.

CAP WAS PUT IN PLACE BY REPUBLICANS.

>> HOUSE LEADERS IN THE STATE HAVE FAILED YOU.

NOT ONLY HAVE THEY SUCCEEDED IN MAKING NEW JERSEY ONE OF THE MOST UNAFFORDABLE STATES IN THE NATION, WITH ONE OF THE LOWEST BUSINESS-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENTS, BUT THEY HAVE FAILED IN THEIR PROMISE TO ELIMINATE THE S.A.L.T.

CAP WHICH WOULD HAVE HELPED COUNTLESS NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS THROUGH THESE DIFFICULT TIMES.

>> THIS S.A.L.T.

DEDUCTION IS SOMETHING THAT'S IMPORTANT.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNAFFILIATED.

>> THE STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY RESPONDED TELLING US, QUOTE, NEW JERSEY'S DEMOCRATIC HOUSE DELEGATION HAS DONE EXTRAORDINARY WORK, CLEANING UP THE MESSES LEFT BY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND DELIVERING MAJOR POLICY WINS FOR MIDDLE CLASS NEW JERSEY FAMILIES FROM FUNDING THE GATEWAY PROJECT AND OTHER CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS, TO LOWERING THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, TO TAKING CONCRETE ACTION TO REDUCE GAS PRICES AND FIGHT INFLATION.

DEMOCRATS WERE ALSO FOCUSED ON INFLATION THIS WEEK IN WASHINGTON WHERE PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCED HE WILL LOWER THE PRICE AT THE PUMP AND ENCOURAGE DOMESTIC OIL PRODUCTION, INCLUDING RELEASING MORE OIL FROM THE STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE.

>> GAS PRICES HIT ALMOST EVERY FAMILY IN THIS COUNTRY AND THEY SQUEEZE THE FAMILY BUDGETS.

WHEN THE PRICE OF GAS GOES UP, OTHER EXPENSES GET CUT.

THAT'S WHY -- INS PUTIN'S INVASION OF UKRAINE CAUSED THESE PRICE HIKES -- THESE PRICES TO SPIKE.

>> FOOD PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE AND THAT'S TAKING A BITE OUT OF PROFITS AT NEW JERSEY RESTAURANTS RESTAURANTS.

THE LATEST GOVERNMENT INFLATION REPORT SHOWED THE AVERAGE RESTAURANT MEAL PRICE HAS RISEN MORE THAN 8% OVER THE LAST YEAR.

WE TALKED ABOUT HOW INFLATION IS IMPACTING THE INDUSTRY AND RESTAURANT CHAIN OWNER THOMAS.

>> YOU CAN'T GET DELIVERIES, EQUIPMENT, PRODUCT, IT'S NOT JUST PEOPLE TO COME WORK WITHIN OUR SPACE AND JOIN OUR TEAM.

THAT BEING SAID IT'S BROUGHT OUR COST UP ACROSS THE BOARD.

>> THE RISING COST OF FOOD IS INCREDIBLE.

THEIR PRICES FOR THEIR PRODUCTS, THE THINGS THAT THEY NEED TO PUT THESE BEAUTIFUL MEALS IN FRONT OF THEIR GUESTS ARE BECOMING MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO ACTUALLY PROFIT, TO ACTUALLY KEEP THOSE MARGINS WHERE THEY MAKE SENSE.

>> WE WILL BE TALKING A LOT MORE ABOUT THE ECONOMY AND ITS IMPACT ON THE ELECTIONS NEXT WEEK ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

>>> THE STATE IS ROLLING OUT ANOTHER PROGRAM TO SUPPORT BUSINESSES.

THIS PAST WEEK GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCED THE STATE WILL AWARD A TOTAL OF $20 MILLION IN GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE MANUFACTURERS.

THEY CAN APPLY FOR FUNDS TO BUY EQUIPMENT TO IMPROVE THEIR OPERATIONS.

>> WE'RE MAKING THESE INVESTMENTS BECAUSE, QUITE SIMPLY, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY -- >> MANUFACTURERS AND OTHER NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES ARE ABLE TO TRAIN THEIR WORKERS FOR FREE UNDER THE STATE'S WORKPLACE LITERACY AND BASIC SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM.

THE PROGRAM IS A PARTNERSHIP OF THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION AND A COMMUNITY COLLEGE CONSORTIUM ALONG WITH THE STATE.

A NEWS CONFERENCE FOR THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE PROGRAM WHICH HAS TRAINED 2,000 WORKERS FROM 12,000 EMPLOYERS.

WE SPOKE WITH DON JELSY COLLINS FROM ISPIRA HEALTH TO FIND OUT HOW HER COMPANY WAS BENEFITTED.

>> DAWN, HOW HAS INSPIRA HEALTH HELPED TO BUILD THE BUSINESS.

>> WE HAVE BEEN SINCE 2015 USED THESE FUNDS TO UPSKILL EMPLOYEES.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST IS THE MICROSOFT OFFICE CLASSES, TECHNOLOGY CHANGES SO VERY QUICKLY, IF YOU FIGURE THIS GRANT STARTED IN 2007, MICROSOFT HAS PUT OUT ABOUT FOUR DIFFERENT VERSIONS SINCE THEN.

SO IT'S BEEN GREAT AND REALLY HELPING US MAINTAIN THAT LEVEL OF EFFICIENCY IN USING -- MAXIMIZING THE TOOLS THAT COME OUT OF THE TECHNOLOGY THAT WAY THAT CHANGES SO QUICKLY.

AND THE SUPERVISORY TRAINING, THOSE ENTRY LEVEL SUPERVISORS REALLY NEED THESE SKILLS TO MOVE FROM SUPER WORKER TO SUPERVISOR.

>> HOW MANY OF YOUR EMPLOYEES HAVE GONE THROUGH THE TRAINING?

>> WE ESTIMATE ABOUT 3,000 SINCE 2015.

>> WHAT DO YOU HEAR FROM THE EMPLOYEES THAT TAKE THESE CLASSES?

HOW DO THEY SEE IT BENEFITTING THEIR OWN CAREERS?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S INTERESTING, OFTENTIMES THEY ARE WHAT WE SAY VOLUN-TOLD TO TAKE THESE CLASSES AND SO IT'S ALWAYS INTERESTING THEY COME IN SOMEWHAT BEGRUDGINGLY, BUT WHEN THEY LEAVE, WHEN THEY SEE THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING LIKE CREATE AN EXCEL FORMULA THAT THEY THOUGHT THEY WOULD NEVER LEARN HOW TO DO, IT'S PRETTY EXCITING.

WHAT IS POSSIBLE.

USUALLY WE GET REPEAT CUSTOMERS AT THAT POINT.

>> DOES THIS PROGRAM HELP WITH SOME OF THE HIRING ISSUES THAT WE'RE SEEING IN HEALTH CARE?

WE KNOW IT'S HARD TO FILL CERTAIN JOBS AND THAT THERE ARE MORE JOBS TO FILL THAN THERE ARE SOMETIMES PEOPLE AVAILABLE.

SO IS IT HELPING YOU JUST KIND OF MANAGE THAT PART OF YOUR LABOR FORCE?

>> IT IS.

IT GIVES A LOT MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR EMPLOYEES TO BE UPSKILLED, PARTICULARLY IN SOME OF THE WAYS THAT MAYBE THEY THOUGHT WASN'T GOING TO BE POSSIBLE FOR THEM WHEN THEY ENTERED THE WORKFORCE AND THEN THEY GET IN AND THEY SEE THAT THERE ARE SO MANY RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM TO CONTINUE TO GROW THEIR CAREERS.

SO IN HEALTH CARE IN PARTICULAR WE HAVE A LOT OF FEEDER DEPARTMENTS, THEY COME IN THROUGH OUR DIETARY OR ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES OR REGISTRATION, BUT BY THE TIME, YOU KNOW -- IN A FEW YEARS' TIME THEY'RE NURSES OR MANAGERS IN DIFFERENT AREAS.

SO IT DEFINITELY HELPS WITH THAT RETENTION AND GROWING.

>> DAWN, PLEASURE SPEAKING WITH YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>>> NEW JERSEY'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPPED TO 3.3% IN SEPTEMBER, BUT EVEN IN A VERY TIGHT LABOR MARKET SOME WORKERS STRUGGLE TO GAIN EMPLOYMENT.

THAT'S THE CASE FOR SOME RESIDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

IN TESTIMONY TO AN ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE THIS WEEK, THE NJBIA SAYS THE EMPLOYMENT RATE OF WORKING-AGE ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES IN NEW JERSEY WAS LESS THAN 38%.

IT IS NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH AND WE WANTED TO FIND OUT WHAT EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE IN THE STATE TO GET PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES FULLY ENGAGED IN THE WORKFORCE.

KATHY CHIN THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE ALLIANCE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF CITIZENS SEES SOME POSITIVE STEPS.

SHE POINTS TO A NEW STATE LAW ENACTED THIS YEAR THAT ENABLES WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES TO MAINTAIN THEIR MEDICAID BENEFITS AND SHE APPLAUDS LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES BETTER ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO THEIR JOBS.

>> IT'S A WORK IN PROGRESS.

WE ARE WORKING TOWARD THAT AND WORKING VERY HARD.

THIS ADMINISTRATION, THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION, THE NEW JERSEY LEGISLATURE AND NJBIA HAS BEEN WORKING VERY HARD TO INCREASE ACCESS, EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

>> THIS WEEK INCLUDING TALK OF POSSIBLY THE NEXT BIG MONEYMAKER FOR THE CASINOS, E-SPORTS OR COMPETITIVE VIDEO GAMING IS GENERATING MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLARS IN WORLDWIDE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.

AT THE CASINO E-SPORTS CONFERENCE HELD IN AC THIS PAST WEEK PARTICIPANTS FOCUSED ON HOW CASINOS CAN GET A PIECE OF THAT PIE.

IN NEW JERSEY REGULATIONS WOULD HAVE TO CHANGE TO ALLOW CASINOS TO EASILY TAKE BETS ON E-SPORTS, WHILE ENSURING TRANSPARENCY IN THE INDUSTRY.

I TALKED WITH THE E-SPORTS CONFERENCE ORGANIZER ARI FOX ABOUT HOW COMPETITIVE VIDEO GAMING COULD HELP THE CASINOS EXPAND THEIR BUSINESS AND ATTRACT A YOUNGER CROWD.

>> ARI, IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU HERE.

LET'S START FIRST WITH JUST THE E-SPORTS LANDSCAPE IN GENERAL.

HOW MUCH HAS IT BEEN GROWING AND WHAT SORT OF OPPORTUNITIES LIE AHEAD?

>> IT'S EVOLVED TO BEING WHERE PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ENGAGED IN WATCHING OTHERS PLAY THE DIGITAL GAMES AND IT'S EVOLVED TO WHAT IT IS TODAY, WHERE THERE'S STADIUMS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR CITIES TO BUILD TEAMS, ET CETERA.

I DON'T LIKE TO COMPARE E-SPORTS TO REGULAR SPORTS.

I WOULD SAY IT'S MORE A COMPETITION OR A TOURNAMENT, KIND OF LIKE CHESS, AND KIND OF LIKE CHESS ON STEROIDS.

BUT IT'S MUCH MORE INTEGRAL IN THE PLAYERS KNOWING WHAT THEY WANT TO DO IN LIGHTNING SPEED BEFORE -- YOU KNOW, BEFORE IT ACTUALLY HAPPENS.

SO IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE IN THE MIND RATHER THAN IT IS IN THE BODY AND THAT'S WHAT I THINK -- WHY I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT BEING CALLED SPORTS.

>> OKAY.

WELL, HERE IS WHERE THEY'RE SIMILAR, SPORTS CAN BE A BIG MONEYMAKER AND E-SPORTS ALSO BRINGS SOME REVENUE OPPORTUNITIES.

TALK TO ME ABOUT WHO IS MAKING MONEY OFF E-SPORTS, WHO WILL MAKE MONEY OFF OF IT IN THE FUTURE.

>> AGAIN, E-SPORTS IS IN ITS VERY BIG -- IT'S IN ITS INFANCY STAGES, SO THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY TO BE MADE IN TOURNAMENTS EVENTUALLY WHEN WE'VE OVERCOME, YOU KNOW, PANDEMIC ISSUES AND THINGS LIKE THAT WHERE PEOPLE CAN MORE OR LESS CONGREGATE WITHOUT REALLY FEELING, YOU KNOW, LIKE THEY COULD GET SICK.

AND THE OTHER PART OF IT IS THAT'S ONE ASPECT OF IT.

I SEE THE FUTURE OF IT IN THE REAL MONEY MAKING OPPORTUNITIES IS IN THE WAGERING SIDE OF E-SPORTS AS WELL AS PEER TO PEER PLAY.

SO THINK OF IT AS IF YOU HAVE A POKER ROOM IN A CASINO WHERE PEOPLE ARE PROFESSIONAL POKER PLAYERS PLAYERS, MAKING MONEY ON THE STREAMING OF THE E-SPORTS, WHICH IS ALREADY BEING DONE.

SO IF YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHERE THE MONEY IS IT'S THE STREAMING, IT'S THE MERCHANDISING AT THE MOMENT, BUT THAT'S NOT A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR A BUSINESS MODEL IN MY OPINION, BUT IT WILL EVOLVE INTO THINGS LIKE PEER TO PEER PLAY, WAGERING ONE PERSON AGAINST THE OTHER AND THEN THE CASINO GETTING A BIG -- IF THE CASINOS JUMP INTO THIS, AND THAT'S THE WHOLE PURPOSE FOR THE CASINO E SPORT CONFERENCE IS TO FOCUS ON GETTING THE CASINOS MORE INVOLVED BECAUSE IF THEY CAN MAKE MONEY THEN THERE'S MONEY TO BE MADE FOR EVERYONE, THE PUBLISHERS, THE PEOPLE THAT MADE THE VIDEO GAMES, THE PEOPLE PLAYING THE VIDEO GAMES AND THEN THE PEOPLE REGULATING AND MAKING THOSE VIDEO GAMES SAFE AND AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

>> AND YOU'RE TOUCHING ON THIS A LITTLE BIT, BUT WHY IN YOUR VIEW DOES E-SPORTS MAKE SENSE FOR A PLACE LIKE ATLANTIC CITY WHERE, OF COURSE, WE HAVE SEVERAL CASINOS THAT HAVE MOVED INTO ALL SORTS OF GAMING OPPORTUNITIES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS?

>> IT'S THE QUESTION OF HOW DO YOU ANSWER THE OPPORTUNITY THAT CASINOS CAN GET BY ATTRACTING A YOUNGER AUDIENCE WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF ENTERTAINMENT VALUE WHERE THEY CAN STILL PLAY THESE GAMES THAT THEY LOVE AND MAKE MONEY AT THE SAME TIME OR WIN MONEY AT THE SAME TIME.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO, TO BUILD THAT NICHE MARKET.

I DON'T THINK THE CASINOS HAVE DONE A GOOD ENOUGH JOB IN MY OPINION THAT THEY'VE UNDERSTOOD THESE ASPECTS OF WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO BRING TO THEM.

>> GREAT.

ARI, SO GREAT TO TALK TO YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> I APPRECIATE T THANK YOU FOR YOUR -- FOR HAVING ME ON, I APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH.

THANKS, RHONDA.

>>> THIS WEEK ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT" WE FOCUS ON THE MUCH TALKED ABOUT BUT OFTEN ALLUSIVE WORK/LIFE BALANCE, TO STRATEGIES FOR CONVINCING YOUR BOSS THAT YOU DESERVE A RAISE.

HOW AND WHERE WE WORK CHANGED FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE DURING THE PANDEMIC AND IN THE AFTERMATH WE SEE SOME WORKERS SHIFTING THEIR PRIORITIES.

A SURVEY OUT EARLIER THIS YEAR ON EMPLOYEE VALUES FOUND -- THE MOST IMPORTANT OUTRANKING CONSISTENT HOURS, AN EASY COMMUTE, FLEXIBLE HOURS AND A PATH TO PROMOTION.

IN THE FIRST OF ITS KIND REPORT FROM THE U.S.

SURGEON GENERAL THIS WEEK IT WAS FOUND THAT LONG HOURS AND CUT-THROAT WORK CONDITIONS ARE HARMFUL TO WORKERS' MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH.

THE CDC EVEN HAS A BREAKDOWN OF THE DOZENS OF INFLUENCES ON YOUR WORK/LIFE BALANCE, INCLUDING YOUR WORKLOAD, YOUR JOB FUTURE AND PROMOTIONS, YOUR MENTAL HEALTH ON THE JOB, TIME MANAGEMENT, FLEXIBILITY OF HOURS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND BENEFITS YOU GET.

MOST OF US AVERAGE 34.5 HOURS PER WORKWEEK ACCORDING TO THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, THAT NUMBER IS A LITTLE HIGHER FOR MANUFACTURING WORKERS AT ABOUT 40 HOURS, ADD TO THAT SOME OVERTIME HOURS, TOO.

AS FOR WAGES, INFLATION IS ERODING YOUR TAKE-HOME PAY.

THE DALLAS FEDERAL RESERVE BANK FINDS THE MAJORITY OF WORKER PAY HAS FAILED TO KEEP UP WITH INFLATION THIS YEAR.

SO MAYBE IT'S TIME TO ASK FOR A RAISE.

WE ALL KNOW THAT CAN BE EASIER SAID THAN DONE.

SO WE TALKED WITH RUTH THOMAS TO GET SOME TIPS ON HOW TO ASK FOR A RAISE AMID SOARING INFLATION.

>> RUTH, GREAT TO TALK TO YOU, THANKS FOR JOINING ME TODAY.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> RUTH, ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS FOR AN EMPLOYEE TO DO IS TO GO TO THE BOSS AND ASK FOR A RAISE.

WHAT ARE SOME BASIC STEPS YOU SHOULD TAKE BEFORE YOU FEEL LIKE IT'S TIME THAT YOU SHOULD EARN MORE AND ASK FOR IT?

>> WELL, I WOULD SAY HAVE THE CONFIDENCE TO KNOW THAT YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO ASK.

YOU KNOW, IN TODAY'S CLIMATE WHERE WE ALL HAVE GREATER EXPECTATIONS AROUND PAY TRANSPARENCY AND WE ARE INCREASINGLY SEEING LEGISLATION INCLUDING LEGISLATION COMING IN IN NEW JERSEY WHERE EMPLOYERS ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT PAY RANGES MORE PUBLICLY THAT YOU HAVE A RIGHT AS AN EMPLOYEE TO UNDERSTAND WHY YOU'RE PAID WHAT YOU'RE PAID.

DON'T BE FEARFUL OF THAT WOULD BE MY FIRST STARTING POINT.

AND THEN BE READY TO GO WITH YOUR MANAGER AND HAVE A MEANINGFUL CONVERSATION TO TALK ABOUT YOUR EXPECTATIONS, BUT THE OTHER IMPORTANT SIDE OF THAT IS TO UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, HOW YOUR COMPANY DETERMINES PAY AND WHAT IS THE METHODOLOGY THAT THEY USE TO DO THAT.

>> SOME EMPLOYERS JUST DO ACROSS THE BOARD INCREASES EVERY YEAR.

IF YOU WORK FOR A COMPANY LIKE THAT, CAN YOU STILL GO IN AND SAY, YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANT 3% OR 4%, I THINK I DESERVE MORE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND I THINK NOW PARTICULARLY WE HAVE NOT SEEN MANY COMPANIES STICKING TO THAT 3% THIS YEAR.

YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING WE'VE SEEN THIS YEAR, THE START OF THE YEAR WITH THE GREAT RESIGNATION, GREAT REEVALUATION, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL T WE'VE SEEN WAGE INFLATION CREEP UP.

WE'RE ALSO SEEING EMPLOYEES -- >> WHAT DO YOU DO IF THE COMPANY SETS IT UP THAT THEY'RE STRUGGLING RESOURCES OR CHALLENGED.

HOW DO YOU GET OUT OF THAT SCENARIO.

>> THERE ARE ORGANIZATIONS WHO POTENTIALLY WON'T BE ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, HAVE THE BUDGET THAT WOULD EXTEND TO INCREASING PAY MAYBE TO THE LEVEL OF EXPECTATION THAT YOU HAVE AND YOU NEED TO KIND OF UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT I WOULD TALK -- PROGRESS YOUR PAY.

SO THEY MAY SAY, YOU KNOW, WE CAN'T PAY YOU ANY MORE AT THE MOMENT, EVERYBODY IS BEING PAID THE SAME AS YOU AT THE MOMENT SO THAT WOULD LEAD TO SOME FORM OF INEQUITY.

SAY, OKAY, WHAT WOULD I HAVE TO DO TO INCREASE MY PAY?

WHAT ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES WOULD I POTENTIALLY HAVE TO TAKE ON OR WHAT NEW SKILLS MIGHT I NEED TO ACQUIRE OR WHEN DO YOU THINK WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO REHAVE THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT INCREASING MY PAY.

>> RUTH, SOME GREAT INSIGHT.

I'M HAPPY WE CHATTED.

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

>>> ONE WAY TO GET A BETTER WORK/LIFE BALANCE OR INCREASE YOUR HAPPINESS IS TO CHANGE JOBS OR EMBARK ON A WHOLE NEW CAREER.

ACCORDING TO A SURVEY FROM NEWARK-BASED PRUDENTIAL, ONE-THIRD OF WORKERS WHO SWITCHED JOBS DURING THE PANDEMIC TOOK LESS PAY IN EXCHANGE FOR A BETTER WORK/LIFE BALANCE.

IN TODAY'S LABOR MARKET JOB JUMPING IS HAPPENING FOR WORKERS AT EVERY AGE.

WE GOT SOME TIPS FROM AARP'S STATE DIRECTOR STEPHANIE HUNT HUNTSINGER.

>> WHEN WE THINK ABOUT WORK/LIFE BALANCE THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT FOLLOWS PEOPLE THROUGH THEIR WHOLE LIVES.

FOR OLDER WORKERS WHAT ARE THE KEY CONCERNS THEY HAVE 50 AND UP IN TERMS OF CHANGING THEIR JOBS TO PERHAPS BRING A LITTLE BIT MORE -- >> MORE AND MORE INDIVIDUALS ARE LOOKING AT NOT JUST THE JOB ITSELF, BUT REALLY SHIFTING THEIR PRIORITIES AND THINKING MORE ABOUT OVERALL WELLNESS AND HEALTH.

THAT'S REALLY PLAYING INTO THEIR DECISIONS ABOUT WHETHER THEY CHOOSE TO STAY IN THEIR CURRENT CAREER OR TO TRANSITION TO NEW CAREERS.

CHANGING A JOB CAN BE OVERWHELMING AND DAUNTING SO FINDING THE RESOURCES AND MAKING SURE THERE WAS A PLAN IN PLACE OR YOU HAVE A PLAN AND YOU'RE DOING THE FULL ASSESSMENT ARE IMPORTANT TO INDIVIDUALS, ESPECIALLY AS WE AGE.

THINKING ABOUT OUR SKILL SET AND HOW THAT PLAYS INTO A NEW POSITION OR A NEW CAREER.

>> SO FOR SOMEBODY 50 PLUS WHAT'S THE BEST ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE THEM IF THEY ARE INTERESTED IN MAYBE GETTING BACK TO THE WORKFORCE OR SWITCHING JOBS?

THERE USED TO BE KIND OF STANDARD ADVICE THAT YOU DON'T PUT EVERY JOB ON YOUR RESUMÉ AS YOU START TO GET OLDER.

IS THAT, FOR INSTANCE, STILL ADVICE THAT YOU WOULD GIVE?

>> THE FIRST STEP REALLY IS TO DO AN HONEST OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF UNDERSTANDING WHY IS IT THAT I WANT TO MAKE THE CHANGE?

THE NEXT STEP IS TO MAKE SURE YOU GET THE HELP AND RESOURCES THAT YOU NEED.

START PLANNING ON HOW TO GET THAT TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE NECESSARY AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE SEEKING THAT OUT.

UNDERSTAND WHAT THE JOB MARKET S UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS FOR APPLYING FOR POSITIONS.

A LOT HAS CHANGED, YOU KNOW, PERHAPS HAS CHANGED SINCE THE LAST TIME INDIVIDUALS APPLIED FOR JOBS.

AND THEN DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANT TO KIND OF EASE INTO THE NEW POSITION OR YOU JUST WANT TO KIND OF JUMP IN.

WE'RE FINDING A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE RETIRED ARE GOING BACK TO WORK FOR A MULTITUDE OF REASONS, EITHER BECAUSE THE JOB MARKET ALLOWS FOR IT OR PERHAPS RIGHT NOW IN A TIME WHEN THINGS ARE A LITTLE BIT MORE EXPENSIVE, FOLKS NEED THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS.

MAKE THAT DECISION DO YOU WANT TO DO A PART-TIME ROLE OR ARE YOU LOOKING FOR FULL TIME?

AND THEN SEEK OUT THOSE THINGS BASED ON WHAT MAKES SENSE FOR YOU.

AND THEN FINANCES ARE ALWAYS A PART OF IT SO YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT PLANNING AND THINKING ABOUT YOUR FINANCES AND WHAT A JOB CHANGE MIGHT MEAN IN THAT.

AND THEN ONCE YOU HAVE THAT WHOLE PLAN TOGETHER, MOVE FORWARD AND PUT IT INTO ACTION.

BUT MAKE SURE YOU'RE DOING YOUR RESEARCH AND YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE YOU STEP OUT THERE AND JUST START APPLYING.

>> STEPHANIE, THANKS FOR ALL OF THAT ADVICE.

REALLY GOOD TO TALK TO YOU.

THANKS FOR GOING ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

>> RHONDA, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

HAVE A GREAT DAY.

>>> GIVEN THE DESIRE WORKERS HAVE FOR A BETTER WORK/LIFE BALANCE YOU WOULD THINK COMPANIES WOULD MAKE THIS A PRIORITY, BUT TOO MANY HAVE NOT ACCORDING TO JANE OATS, THE PRESIDENT OF WORKING NATION.

SHE TOLD ME WORKERS ARE STILL STRESSED OUT, ESPECIALLY WOMEN.

SHE SAYS IT'S TIME FOR CHANGE.

>> WE WANT TO FOCUS ON WORK/LIFE BALANCE WITH YOU.

IT'S A TOPIC YOU AND I HAVE EXPLORED BEFORE.

WHAT IS SOME OF THE LATEST RESEARCH AND SURVEYS SAY ABOUT THE STATE OF THE WORK/LIFE BALANCE PARTICULARLY FOR WOMEN?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THE GOOD NEWS WAS IN SEPTEMBER WE FINALLY GOT BACK TO THE SAME NUMBER OF WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE AS WE HAD IN FEBRUARY OF 2020.

THAT'S GOOD NEWS.

BUT THE BAD NEWS IS THEY'RE FEELING STRESSED OUT, THEY'RE FEELING STRETCHED.

EMPLOYERS ARE NOT LISTENING TO THEIR NEED FOR SOME FLEXIBILITY THE WAY WE HAD HOPED THEY WOULD COME OUT OF COVID WITH A NEW RESOLVE TO MAKE WORKPLACES MORE FAMILY FRIENDLY, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT IT'S NOT JUST WOMEN THAT CARE FOR CHILDREN AND ELDER PARENTS, BUT IT'S SOMETIMES MEN, BUT STILL THE MAJORITY OF THOSE CAREGIVERS ARE WOMEN.

>> I'M KIND OF SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT GIVEN THAT SOME COMPANIES HAVE DECIDED, FOR INSTANCE, TO KEEP HYBRID WORKING IN PLACE.

WHAT HAPPENED?

WHY ARE THEY NOT FOLLOWING THROUGH ON SOME OF THE OVERTURES MADE DURING THE PANDEMIC?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, WOMEN ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY IN JOBS THAT DON'T ALLOW THAT FLEXIBILITY.

THEY'RE FRONT-LINE WORKERS, THEY'RE NURSES, THEY'RE TEACHERS, THEY HAVE TO BE IN THEIR PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT.

THESE MANAGERS HAD TO LEARN TO SUPERVISE PEOPLE WHO WEREN'T IN FRONT OF THEM AND THEY REALLY DIDN'T HAVE THE SKILLS.

SO I THINK THAT REALLY DROVE A PRODUCTIVITY DOWN.

YOU SEE A LOT OF THE BIG FINANCIAL FIRMS FORCING PEOPLE TO COME BACK, YOU SEE MANY OF THE -- EVEN THE SMALLER -- THE HEDGE FUND PEOPLE BRINGING THEIR PEOPLE BACK.

CUSTOMERS WANT SERVICE AND FOR SOME REASON CUSTOMERS EVEN IN THAT WORLD OF WEALTH THINK THAT SERVICE MEANS YOU HAVE TO BE IN PLACE.

>> SO IT'S KIND OF DISCOURAGING TO LISTEN TO YOU AND SEE WHERE WE ARE IN TERMS OF THE WORK/LIFE BALANCE STATE OF AMERICA, IF YOU WILL.

HOW IS THIS GOING TO CHANGE?

I MEAN, IF THE PANDEMIC DID NOT CHANGE THIS, WHAT WILL?

>> YOU KNOW, I HOPE THAT SOME FORWARD-THINKING CEOs, MAYBE A FEMALE CEO, WILL BE BRAVE ENOUGH TO COME OUT AND SAY WE'VE GOT TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY, YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE PARENTING CHILDREN, YOU KNOW, HAVE CHILDREN BELOW, SAY, 12 THAT NEED CONSTANT SUPERVISION AFTER AND BEFORE SCHOOL, BUT WE ALSO HAVE A GENERATION WHERE WE ARE ALL CARING FOR OLDER ADULTS OR FRIENDS AND WE ARE HAVING, YOU KNOW, ISSUES OURSELVES.

SO IF EMPLOYERS AREN'T REALLY GOING TO BE MORE FLEXIBLE AND BUILD THAT INTO THEIR DNA, WE ARE NEVER GOING TO GET OUR LABOR MARKET PARTICIPATION RATE BACK UP TO WHERE IT WAS PRE-PANDEMIC.

PEOPLE ARE JUST GOING TO SIT ON THE SIDELINES.

>> THAT'S INTERESTING AND IT MIGHT, IN FACT, EXPLAIN WHY WE ARE SEEING KIND OF THIS BIFURCATION IN THE LABOR MARKET AND THAT CONTINUES TO BE AN ISSUE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, PEOPLE HAVE REAL NEEDS.

THEY HAVE FAMILIES, THEY HAVE PERSONAL NEEDS, AND EMPLOYERS HAVE TO REALLY, YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY ALLOW FOR THAT, BUT WELCOME IT, MAKE IT PART OF THEIR CORPORATE CULTURE, AND PARTICULARLY IF YOU ARE SOMEONE WHO HAS SPECIFIC NEEDS, IF YOU ARE SOMEONE, FOR INSTANCE, WITH A DISABILITY, AS WE'RE IN DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT MONTH, YOU KNOW, IF YOU ARE SOMEONE WITH A DISABILITY, HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH ALL YOOUR APPOINTMENTS AND YOUR OTHER THINGS IN A 9:00 TO 5:00 WORKDAY?

EMPLOYERS HAVE TO BECOME A LITTLE MORE FLEXIBLE.

>> GOOD TO GET CAUGHT UP WITH YOU, THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

>> ALWAYS GREAT TO TALK WITH YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS WEEK, REMEMBER TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" YOUTUBE CHANNEL TO GET ALERTED WHEN WE POST NEW EPISODES.

AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY LEADERS TO EXPLORE THE HISTORY, IMPACT AND CHALLENGES OF BUILDING WEALTH AND ECONOMIC EQUITY IN NEW JERSEY'S BLACK COMMUNITY, THAT'S OCTOBER 26th AT 7:00 P.M. YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTER AT WWW.MY NJPBS.ORG.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

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