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First, it was “quiet quitters” then it was “loud laborers.”

Now, American companies are dealing with another employee trend called “boreout.” 

The term describes a situation in which workers are bored, unengaged, and unfulfilled in their jobs. 

This trend is impacting workers, managers, and corporate America overall, according to job experts. 

Here’s how it’s doing that and what to know about this career concern (and how to address it if it applies to you).

“Boreout” is a phenomenon among employees defined as chronic boredom the experience that ones work is pointless, said Peggy Klaus, a communications and leadership expert with Klaus and Associates in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

“The result is employee stress, lethargy, lower creativity and productivity, an increase in physical and mental health problems, high staff turnover, and early retirement,” Klaus told FOX Business.  

In the past, people who did the bare minimum at work were pegged as lazy, said Klaus. 

Today, that same situation is called “quiet quitting,” she said.

Klaus said she puts the two trends in the same category. 

The employees exhibiting “boreout” have spent the least amount of time in an organization and feel less emotionally connected and loyal to the company and colleagues. 

“I see boreout and quiet quitting as the same thing,” she said. 

“To the degree that an employee refuses to do any work outside of the job description, engage in meetings unless directly addressed or respond to phone messages or emails, among other infractions, that person is definitely exhibiting boreout,” Klaus said.

The demographic most impacted by the concept is male and in the age range of 18 to 35, Klaus said. 

A number of factors have contributed, she said. 

Theyve spent the least amount of time in an organization and feel less emotionally connected and loyal to the company and colleagues, she said.

They have an array of job options, as its been a buyers market of late, said Klaus.

“Boreout” is a highly contagious “virus” that spreads quickly and can infect the entire workplace. 

At this time in their lives, they are less encumbered by family responsibilities and so they are willing to take risks to change jobs, change cities, and even change countries, Klaus also noted.

“Boreout” is a highly contagious “virus” that spreads quickly and can infect the entire workplace, Klaus indicated. 

She said “boreout” definitely decreases productivity and a company’s bottom line. 

At this time in their lives, they are less encumbered by family responsibilities and so they are willing to take risks to change jobs, change cities, and change countries, Klaus also noted.

“Gallup estimated that low engagement is costing the global economy nearly $9 trillion,” Klaus added.

Communication is essential to combat “boreout,” job experts noted.

“When employees work toward a new goal and are given the tools to succeed, they can find renewed energy and excitement for their jobs.”

“Managers can turn things around and create a more engaging work atmosphere for the employee with open and transparent communication,” said Niki Jorgensen, managing director, client implementation with Insperity, who is based in Denver, Colorado.

Managers should address any concerns and work with the employee to determine a solution, she said.

“Solutions could be as simple as [giving] additional responsibility, creating a new reporting structure, or setting [new] goals for career development,” said Jorgensen. 

“When employees work toward a new goal and are given the tools to succeed, they can find renewed energy and excitement for their jobs.”

Klaus of Santa Fe shared advice for employees who recognize that “boreout” is all too familiar to them and understand they have a role to play in changing things.    

“Seek the advice of mentors, career counselors, or the human resources department if you think boreout is seriously affecting either your physical or mental health,” Klaus also said. 

Also, she said, recognize that “it may be time to change your career path toward something healthier for you.”

When managers and leadership have regular check-ins with employees, they can learn how to support teams and keep them engaged, Jorgensen indicated. 

“Through regular communication, managers can quickly identify any issues before they become a major hurdle for their team and the company,” she said.

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Entertainment

Broadcaster John Stapleton has died aged 79

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Broadcaster John Stapleton has died aged 79

Broadcaster John Stapleton has died, his agent has said.

The 79-year-old, who had Parkinson’s disease complicated by pneumonia, died peacefully in hospital this morning.

Stapleton was known for his work on programmes such as Newsnight, Panorama and GMTV’s News Hour. He was among Sky News’ original presenters.

Stapleton’s agent, Jackie Gil, said: “His son Nick and daughter-in-law Lisa have been constantly at his side and John died peacefully in hospital this morning.”

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive Breaking News alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News App. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

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US

Luigi Mangione’s lawyers call on judge to block the death penalty

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Luigi Mangione's lawyers call on judge to block the death penalty

Lawyers for Luigi Mangione have called on a judge to block federal prosecutors from seeking the death penalty against him.

Mangione’s legal team says the 27-year-old’s case has been turned into a “Marvel movie” after a failed bid by the US Justice Department to indict him on terrorism charges over the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson in New York on 4 December.

New York state judge Gregory Carro said there was no evidence that the killing, which took place as Mr Thompson walked into an investor conference at the New York Hilton Midtown hotel, amounted to a terrorist act.

But Judge Carro upheld second-degree murder charges, which suggest there was malicious intent – but not that it was premeditated.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi has called for Mangione to face capital punishment, describing the charges against him as a “premeditated cold-blooded assassination that shocked America”.

But in the new court filing, Mangione’s legal team argues federal prosecutors have “violated Mr Mangione’s constitutional and statutory rights” by “staging a dehumanizing, unconstitutional ‘perp walk’ where he was televised, videotaped, and photographed clambering out of a helicopter in shackles” on the way to his first court appearance.

The legal team, led by former Manhattan prosecutor Karen Friedman Agnifilo, also claims the death penalty case has been “fatally prejudiced” after President Donald Trump commented on it on Fox News.

Despite laws that prohibit any pre-trial commentary that could prejudice the defendant’s right to a free trial, he told the network on Thursday: “Think about Mangione. He shot someone in the back, as clear as you’re looking at me or I’m looking at you.”

Read more from Sky News
Trump throws out New York Times lawsuit
Free speech warning after Kimmel taken off air
Songwriter killed in small plane crash

UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson.
Pic: UnitedHealth Group/AP
Image:
UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson.
Pic: UnitedHealth Group/AP

The defence team’s 114-page court filing reads: “There is a high bar to dismissing an indictment due to pretrial publicity.

“However, there has never been a situation remotely like this one where prejudice has been so great against a death-eligible defendant.”

Federal prosecutors have until 31 October to respond to the documents.

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all the state charges against him, which cannot result in the death penalty and only life imprisonment, unlike federal ones. He has also pleaded not guilty to the federal charges.

He is due back in court for a pre-trial hearing in the state case on 1 December and the federal case on 5 December.

The 27-year-old was arrested five days after Mr Thompson was killed – when he was spotted at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, around 230 miles west of New York City.

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UK

British fighter jets defend Polish skies after Russian drone incursion

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British fighter jets defend Polish skies after Russian drone incursion

Two British fighter jets have flown their first defence mission over Poland after a Russian drone incursion into the country’s skies.

The flight was part of NATO‘s operation “Eastern Sentry”, launched to bolster Europe’s eastern flank after Poland shot down Russian drones earlier this month.

A Russian drone was intercepted flying over Romania days later, while three Russian jets entered Estonian airspace without permission for 12 minutes on Friday.

One of three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets in images shared by Sweden's armed forces. Pic: Swedish Armed Forces
Image:
One of three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets in images shared by Sweden’s armed forces. Pic: Swedish Armed Forces

The three incursions into NATO airspace fuelled concerns about the potential expansion of Russia‘s three-year war in Ukraine and have been seen as an attempt by Moscow to test the military alliance’s response.

The incident over Poland prompted its prime minister, Donald Tusk, to warn that his country was the closest to “open conflict” it had been since the Second World War, while the UK announced it would provide Warsaw with extra air cover.

Two RAF Typhoons, supported by an RAF Voyager air-to-air refuelling plane, took off from RAF Coningsby, in Lincolnshire, on Friday night to defend Poland’s skies before returning safely early on Saturday morning.

A Gerbera drone landed in a field in the Olesno region of Poland
Image:
A Gerbera drone landed in a field in the Olesno region of Poland

Defence Secretary John Healey said the mission sends a clear signal that “NATO airspace will be defended”.

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“I’m proud of the outstanding British pilots and air crew who took part in this successful operation to defend our allies from reckless Russian aggression.”

He said the mission was “especially poignant” coming as the UK marks the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain – when Polish pilots came to the aid of the UK – this weekend.

The head of the RAF, Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth, said: “This sortie marks the RAF’s first operational mission on Eastern Sentry, reinforcing the UK’s steadfast commitment to NATO and its allies.

“We remain agile, integrated, and ready to project airpower at range.”

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