Americans Have Saved Nearly $91 Billion From Working From Home, Report Says

Since the spread of COVID-19, or the novel coronavirus, in the United States, many companies have been forced to close their offices to prevent the transmission of the virus among their workforce. The change has completely reshaped corporate cultures as more companies plan on working from home until 2021. Now, a new study shows that not driving to work has saved Americans close to $91 billion.

The study, done by economist Adam Ozimek of Upwork, explores shifts in corporate structures and workers since the COVID-19 pandemic started. “Since the onset of COVID-19 and the massive shift to remote work, however, many are considering life without a commute,” Ozimek wrote in the study.

“To understand the impact of remote work on commutes, we surveyed 1,000 people currently working from home to see how much time they are saving sans commute. Of this group, 31.4% are working from home due to COVID and 15% were working from home prior to COVID.” The data shows that the average American worker saved $2,000 each from trading in their commute for a home office.

“Of the COVID remote workers, 86% report having previously commuted by car and are now saving, on average, 46.3 minutes per day,” he adds. “Altogether, we estimate that those post-COVID remote workers are saving 32.9 million hours of car commuting per day.”

The reduction in commuting has correlated with an increase in productivity, which is part of why many companies like Twitter plan to permanently stay remote. 

It also has an economic effect: The study estimates that for every day of the pandemic, $183 million was saved in fuel plus the costs of car maintenance and repairs; $164 million in costs associated with pollution, congestion, and accidents; and $411 million as the value of time saved. That’s $758 million a day saved by workers who used to drive to the office, or more than $90 billion since mid-March for those car commuters now working from home.

Despite the savings, cities are hurting from the shift in the area of public transportation that has seen a sharp drop since the pandemic started and social distancing was implemented. In New York City, the MTA announced that they need $12 billion in aid from the federal government or they will have to reduce their operation by 40% to 50% by the end of the year.

“Expenses cannot be reduced quickly and significantly enough to offset the 40% reduction in revenue we have experienced and are expecting,” the MTA said in a statement, according to The Hill.

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London Playbook: 10 things coming down the track for Boris Johnson

It’s going to be an extremely busy term with huge ramifications for the health of the nation, potentially massive upheaval in the economy, as well as clear and present dangers for the fortunes of the PM.

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Maryland state official fired after sharing posts supporting alleged Kenosha shooter

One meme read, “Don’t be a thug if you can’t take a slug!” Another appeared to show an image of the alleged shooting by Kyle Rittenhouse.

A Maryland man who had been the deputy director of the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives has been fired from his job for sharing posts supporting alleged Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse. 

Arthur (Mac) Love IV posted several memes that supported the shooting. One read, “Don’t be a thug if you can’t take a slug!” Another appeared to show an image of the shooting with a caption that read, “When you get to 2nd place in Wisconsin’s annual quick draw competition.” 

Love was let go Saturday afternoon. 

Read More: Trump to visit Kenosha Tuesday, potentially stoking tensions

“These divisive images and statements are inconsistent with the mission and core values of the Office of Community Initiatives,” said Steven J. McAdams. “Earlier today, I relieved this employee of his duties. Kevin Craft, administrative director of the Governor’s Commission on African Affairs, will assume these duties effective immediately.”

McAdams is the executive director of the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives. 

Read More: Kenosha police chief says officers did nothing wrong by ignoring Kyle Rittenhouse

A spokesperson for Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan released a statement supporting the firing. “These posts are obviously totally inappropriate,” she said. “We fully support the immediate actions taken by Director McAdams to address this matter.”

Maryland Matters reported that Love is a “seasoned Republican” who had been posting images supporting the shooting for days. Another image featured a photo of actor Leonardo DiCaprio raising a glass of champagne in the 2013 film, The Great Gatsby, captioned: “When you see a skateboard wielding Antifa chickens*** get smoked by an AR toting 17-yr-old.”

Read More: Christian site raises over $97K for Kenosha shooting suspect Kyle Rittenhouse

Darryl Barnes, the chairman of Maryland’s Legislative Black Caucus, said that Love’s posts were disturbing. “There’s no sense for it,” Barnes said. “There’s no reason someone like this should be part of our state government.”

Rittenhouse, the accused Kenosha assailant, shot three people Tuesday, killing two, during protests about the Aug. 23 shooting of Jacob Blake by Officer Rusten Sheskey. Rittenhouse, who is being portrayed as a right-wing hero, is currently facing felony murder charges. 

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With Safety A Top Concern, 60% Of U.S. Companies Requiring Face Masks As Employees Return To Work

Face masks could become standard as people go back to work. Masks will be part of the employee dress code at 60% of U.S companies as offices reopen, a new Clutch survey shows.

Along with the masks, the post-COVID-19 office also will likely feature socially distant seating arrangements (71%) and sanitation stations installed throughout the space (60%). The key is that requiring face masks will be a necessary first step for companies beginning to reopen offices, Clutch concluded.

A ratings and review firm, Clutch’s 2020 Return to Work Survey included 400 U.S. workers.

What shocked Clutch Editorial Manager Shelby Jordan most about the survey findings was that a lot of news coverage framed mask requirements as somewhat of a polarizing topic, but “our data showed strong support. With 60% of companies planning to require masks in the office, and nearly a third of employees ranking them as a top priority, face masks seem more widely supported than I’d expected.”

Some  82% of the U.S. workforce expects its company to apply careful measures before asking employees to return. From socially distant seating to childcare and transportation accommodations, companies are demonstrating a commitment to safety, given employee health is linked to performance.

The survey also asked if people even want to return to work. About 20% want to return as soon as possible, but 28% are hesitant to go back right away and hoping to wait until September or next year. Some 15% of workers don’t want to return to an office at all, while 39% have already returned.

Avoiding the spread of COVID-19 appears to be top of mind for workers and employers, an expanded Clutch survey shows. For many people, safety is the top concern. And remote work works for some but not others. For working parents, it may be difficult to focus with kids in the house. Some employees may feel more productive out of the office, yet others find it more distracting. Working from home also lends itself to additional flexibility but can prove more challenging for a stable work-life balance.

The encouraging news is 9 out of 10 companies are already taking steps to create a safe environment for employees. Clutch found that 91% of employers have implemented at least one of the precautionary measures. The top three most common measures are: social distance mandates (71%), face covering requirements (60%), and improved hygiene practices (60%).

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Loft & Bear Carves Out Niche as History-Making, Artisanal Black Vodka Brand

Loft & Bear is the brainchild of Paul Ryan Elliott, an East coast native and one of few Black distillery owners in the country. Elliott learned the art of distilling when his family’s construction company fell on hard times. While unemployed and living in Silver Spring, Maryland, Elliott was faced with the decision to go back to school or continue with his distilling hobby. After careful deliberation, he decided to put his business school plans on hold and instead devoted several years to focused business planning.

During the summer of 2014, in a loft in downtown Los Angeles, Loft & Bear artisanal vodka was born—hence, the name. A notable part of wine and spirits history, Loft & Bear distillery is the second-ever to be located within Los Angeles city limits since the “noble experiment” called Prohibition.

Today Elliott continues to work toward fulfilling long-term, sustainable success and is encouraged by the opportunity to bring inclusivity and diversity of thought to the beverage alcohol industry. Loft & Bear’s commitment to social awareness is seen in its “Distill.Drink.Donate” program, in which 5% of Loft & Bear profits are donated to PATH, a charity aimed at ending homelessness and providing support for distressed families, veterans affairs, and human services throughout Southern California.

Not surprisingly, Elliott and his award-winning vodka have been featured by numerous major media outlets including Wine Enthusiast (40 Under 40), the Los Angeles Times, US Weekly, and more.

BLACK ENTERPRISE sat down with Elliott to discuss the finer details of his artisanal vodka brand and the nuances of his entrepreneurial journey.

Tell us about your vodka and what distinguishes it as a premium, artisanal brand.

Is it too corny to say it is crafted with love? It’s definitely been a labor of love. My desire for developing Loft & Bear was to create a spirit that was approachable, “easy on the eyes and palate” in terms of its flavor profile and ethos. I’ve been fortunate enough to share my personal creativity with the world as our vodka expression: Loft & Bear. We’ve been characterized as smooth, subtle but sweet, and a hands-down favorite for developing cocktails. I found early on that the softer the wheat grains, the more balanced and gentle the mouthfeel. As cocktails generally constitute an element of citrus, we feel the slight alkalinity of our water base is not only more healthy, but also balances out citrus cocktails quite nicely.

What was the most significant challenge you faced as a Black founder in this industry?

I’ve been blessed with tremendous support since Loft & Bear’s inception. As the industry expands and increasing value is placed on diverse consumers, I’m excited to see the growth in equity and ownership amongst Black founders. I believe we currently represent less than 2% of the brand owners within the alcoholic beverage space. In an industry dominated by major market players, my biggest hurdle since day one has always been accessible, consistent capital. While this has been an ongoing challenge for my team, it also presents a great opportunity for up-and-coming Black and minority founders with moon-sized visions of changing the space. I’m likewise encouraged to see more interest and opportunities for Black founders to execute their visions via new initiatives with Constellation and Uncle Nearest, for example. To achieve larger-than-life goals requires collaboration with strong partners and mentors, as well as a departure from some of the traditional industry norms.

Loft & Bear Distillery in Los Angeles (Photo Credit: Caroline on Crack)

Where do you see your brand in the next five-10 years?

Bigger, better, stronger, wiser! As we grow our core spirit selection and continue to innovate around experiences for our customers, one area that we see ourselves owning is the high-end RTD [ready to drink] segment. These products deliver high-quality, convenient, and unique experiences to consumers. In what we internally refer to as the “full-circle” consumer, we’re confident that our products and broader goal to enhance the beverage alcohol experience through innovation and diversity of thought will shine through.

Where can fellow vodka enthusiasts find your delectable wares?

The boutique culinary scene is responsible for much of Loft & Bear’s success and early adoption. We often find shared values with these establishments in terms of curating an amazing customer experience and building a sense of community. We’re currently growing our national distribution footprint within the U.S. and are currently available at regional retail chains such as BevMo, Raley’s, ABC, Bristol Farms, Pavilions, Cost Plus, and others. We also invite clients to shop online via our website to discover distribution partners that deliver to multiple states within the U.S. as well.

(Image: Loft & Bear vodka/File)

You’ve listed a number of fascinating signature cocktails on your website, each of which uses fresh, native Bahamian ingredients to set it off. What are some delicious traditional pairings you can share with us?

•Conch Salad + Sky Full of Stars (L&B vodka-based twist on a local classic made from sweetened condensed milk)*

•Caribbean Lobster + Rose Mango Smash (Mango)*

•Boiled Fish + Lemongrass Switcha (Lemongrass)*

•Jerk Chicken + In Exile (Smoked Pineapple)*

*Signature Bahamian ingredient

‘Mixology in motion’ (Image: Courtesy of Loft & Bear)

 

What is your best advice for someone set on breaking into this industry?

There’s a funny saying, “If you hang around the barbershop enough, you’re bound to get a haircut.” Is it possible that breaking into the industry is just as simple as that—submerging yourself in the business and beginning to ask the right questions? I believe this is where you begin to identify the evolving needs of consumers and customer pain points. That very attentiveness could be the key to unique value creation for those looking to break into the industry. There’s something alluring about an unforgettable imbibing experience; these amazing moments with friends and family are what could give birth to unique opportunities to have a positive effect on the industry. Improve every day and learn the business, then you have a genuine shot at doing something great!

What is your big picture vision for adding value, beyond your excellent contributions to the wine and spirits industry?

By leveraging the strength of our brand, which is supported by our core values, we have a unique opportunity to influence large-scale social change and become the voice of a generation destined to shape the future.

What do you want people to know most about your vodka?

We’ve been referenced as a “whiskey drinker’s vodka.” We believe in our artisanal quality and craftsmanship, which boasts a flavor built for sipping. Our bear is a symbol of strength; a passion for making a stronger tomorrow. As a society, we pride ourselves on the concept of building a better future and that is at the core of Loft & Bear’s values. This is a labor of love that everyone deserves to experience firsthand, so we invite vodka drinkers everywhere to sip and enjoy this phenomenal journey with us. Cheers!

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