Ohio
When and where we work is changing for more people in Northeast Ohio
The pandemic has recalibrated our threshold for work-life balance and proved productivity can thrive beyond the traditional workday and space.
Combine that with more available jobs than workers right now, and it is changing the landscape of what going to work looks and feels like for many people.
“Efficiency in my day is the most important thing with three kids,” said Bridget Hagan. “So, having that extra time is so important to me.”
Hagan now works from home. Her company, Akhia Communications, has committed to work-from-anywhere and flexible hours.
“I get that extra time to sit down, have breakfast, do the hair, not rush out as much as I used to,” she said.
Hagen gets to choose how she shapes her time on the clock, whether that’s over four or five days a week.
“I’m a morning person,” she said, saying she often gets work done before the kids even get up. “So, if I do need to step away for one of the kids, I have that time and flexibility.”
Hagan said as a working mom of young children, that kind of flexibility from her employer is everything.
“I can’t even imagine getting through the day without that flexibility,” she said. “Working somewhere that values my time both professionally and personally is so important, and I really feel that my employer trusts that I will get my work done.”
“Trust is a big factor,” said Ben Brugler, CEO and president of Akhia.
He said trust must go both ways with employees and leadership when implementing a nontraditional workweek.
“If we’re not making it a priority, if we’re not modeling it, then they’re going to think we’re trying to trick them,” he said about modeling the balance time.
Akhia is regularly named among Northeast Ohio’s Top Workplaces.
While their office in Hudson is now mostly empty, Brugler said they keep it for meetings and client use, and their company culture and community are now primarily maintained virtually.
Brugler said it can be challenging, but communication is key.
He said the decision to implement balance time, and more recently, work-from-anywhere, was driven by Akhia’s roughly 40 employees. He said it’s about putting their people in the best place to succeed so they can best take care of their clients.
“We really put the employees first in terms of what’s going on in their lives because if we don’t know that and if we’re not putting them at the center, then we’re not able to deliver on our promise to our clients, which is to be their most valuable resource.”
Common concerns with nontraditional workweeks include employees taking advantage of it and losing productivity and business. However, Brugler said in his experience, it’s been the opposite.
“It’s been great,” he said.
There has been no change to salaries or a hit to productivity, and Brugler said for them, it’s been a win-win.
Burnout is a real thing in today’s workforce, and Brugler said this has allowed them to attract and retain talent.
It is not just Akhia.
Americans have always sought work-life balance.
Back in 2018, a survey from Robert Half found fewer than one in five employers offered remote options, despite being a top-requested perk.
That same survey now shows more than two in five employers offer remote work.
Also, Robert Half’s 2023 data shows more than 80% of workers want flexibility on when and where they work.
The pandemic proved productivity could thrive outside the traditional workday and space, and with more available jobs than workers right now, experts say more companies are offering these perks to stay competitive.
“Because in a tight labor market, they’re able to say to employers like, ‘I better have that flexibility built in, or I’m going to go somewhere else,’” said Michael Goldberg, executive director of the Veale Institute for Entrepreneurship at Case Western Reserve University.
He says not only does it help employers recruit and retain talent, but it also can save money.
“If you’re able to retain someone who’s going to stay, giving them some of these benefits like a 4-day work week or more flexibility is worth it in the end because you’re going to save a lot in the end on recruitment,” said Goldberg.
Should the current tight labor market loosen up, Goldberg thinks it’s unlikely these perks will be rolled back.
“For those company CEOs who are saying everybody needs to come back to the workplace five days a week, there’s been such tremendous pushback,” he said.
For Brugler, he said it’s helped him hire and grow business.
“Where would we be without balance; in a really unhappy place,” he said.
And, for employees like Hagan, she said it’s been tremendous for her mental health and her family’s health.
It even impacted her and her husband’s decision to welcome a third child.
“Yes, hugely,” she said. “And I can’t imagine going back to being in an office full-time.”
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Ohio
Ohio Lottery Pick 3 Midday, Pick 3 Evening winning numbers for Dec. 19, 2024
The Ohio Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 19, 2024, results for each game:
Pick 3
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 3-7-3
Evening: 4-2-8
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 5-3-9-9
Evening: 5-3-7-7
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 5
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 7-2-3-1-5
Evening: 8-4-9-8-5
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Rolling Cash 5
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 7:05 p.m.
08-19-30-35-37
Check Rolling Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Lucky For Life
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 10:35 p.m.
02-05-13-18-29, Lucky Ball: 16
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Enquirer digital news director. You can send feedback using this form.
Ohio
I simulated Tennessee at Ohio State on College Football 25
On Saturday, Tennessee football will square off with Ohio State inside Ohio Stadium.
Ahead of the real-life matchup, I simulated the game on EA Sports’ College Football 25 video game.
Here’s what happened.
TALK ABOUT IT IN THE ROCKY TOP FORUM
First Quarter
(OSU) Carnell Tate 33-yd pass from Will Howard, 7:13
(Tenn) Max Gilbert 46-yd FG, 3:00
Second Quarter
(OSU) Carnell Tate 33-yd pass from Will Howard, 13:07
(OSU) Jayden Fielding 20-yd FG, 2:18
Third Quarter
(Tenn) Max Gilbert 34-yd FG, 11:33
(OSU) Jayden Fielding 24-yd FG, 4:35
(Tenn) Dylan Sampson 29-yd run, 2:11
Fourth Quarter
(Tenn) Squirrel White 11-yd pass from Nico Iamaleava, 6:04
(OSU) Will Howard 2-yd run, 1:02
Ohio
Wide range of bills pass during grand finale to Ohio’s legislative session: Capitol Letter
Rotunda Rumblings
Final countdown: The 135th Ohio General Assembly’s two-year session culminated in a flurry of activity Wednesday, as lawmakers worked late into the night to pass – or shoot down – a wide range of bills on what’s expected to be the end of their “lame-duck” session. Here’s more on what lawmakers did:
Sex, God and school: Legislators gave final approval to House Bill 8, which combines the so-called “Parents Bill of Rights” (which would require schools to notify parents of any sexuality content and changes in the students’ physical or mental health) with a bill that requires all public school districts to adopt a policy allowing released time for religious instruction. Laura Hancock reports that the LGBTQ community is worried about students whose parents could punish them if they find out from school officials that they’re gay or transgender.
Night moves: Lawmakers wrapped up their marathon session around 2:15 a.m. Thursday by passing House Bill 315, which a legislative conference committee had shortly beforehand filled up with a litany of policy items large and small. Jake Zuckerman has more on what lawmakers packed into the bill, including proposals to protect “medical free speech,” create a Dolly Parton Imagination Library specialty license plate, and codify two executive orders from Gov. Mike DeWine allowing college athletes and their schools to enter into marketing and endorsement deals.
SLAPP at intimidation: State lawmakers also passed legislation that takes aim at the use of the courts to silence critics from exercising free speech for fear of expensive litigation, Robert Higgs and Hancock report. The bill, which now goes to DeWine for approval, would combat a civil action known as a “Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation,” or more simply a SLAPP – a legal action used by deep-pocketed plaintiffs that makes claims such as defamation and invasion of privacy to intimidate people exercising their rights to free speech.
Suspensions: A bill that would add threatening manifestos, hit lists, social media posts and other behavior to the list of student behavior that can result in a yearlong suspension is headed to DeWine’s desk. As Hancock reports, before passing Senate Bill 206, the Senate tacked on several amendments, including allowing a charter school known as OHDELA to get up to two years of relief from closing due to low report card scores. Another amendment would give the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce an additional $4.1 million to handle the administration work around private school vouchers.
Word is bond: Ohio voters will decide during next year’s May 6 primary election whether to approve another $2.5 billion in state bonds to help pay for local infrastructure projects. As Jeremy Pelzer reports, lawmakers overwhelmingly supported re-upping the bond program and appropriated $15 million to offset the cost of staging an election on the measure in parts of the state that otherwise have nothing to vote on during the May primary.
Sextortion: Lawmakers passed legislation Wednesday creating new felony offenses for “sextortion” crimes. As Zuckerman reports, the bill targets those who use the nude image of another as leverage to induce them to send money or commit another offense.
Licensed to bill: State lawmakers passed legislation around 10:15 p.m. Wednesday designed to dramatically limit the number of Ohioans whose drivers licenses are suspended over unpaid debts. As Zuckerman reports, the bill will help those convicted of drug offenses (if no car is involved), truancy or owing court costs keep their license.
Pay out: A last-minute push by some House Republicans to approve pay increases for lawmakers and a variety of local elected officials died in the Senate. As Pelzer reports, Senate President Matt Huffman suggested that the pay-raise plan would benefit too many different elected officials for the Senate GOP’s liking.
Low energy: The Senate also killed legislation that would revive energy efficiency programs in Ohio, designed to reduce the state’s aggregate electricity consumption. As Jake Zuckerman reports, 2019 legislation at the center of a statehouse bribery scandal ended the programs. Senators canceled a Wednesday morning committee vote on the bill.
Defense conservation: The U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to back a National Defense Authorization bill that includes several non-defense related measures championed by U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, a South Russell Republican, Sabrina Eaton writes. The package includes a bill authored by Joyce called the Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver Reauthorization (WILD) Act. It reauthorizes a program that enables wildlife and habitat conservation in all 50 states and territories, and the Multinational Species Conservation Fund, which supports the global conservation of imperiled species, including rhinos, elephants, tigers, great apes, and turtles.
Brown bill advances: The U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted 73-27 to advance consideration of the “Social Security Fairness Act” sponsored by U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Cleveland Democrat. It would repeal laws that keep around 3 million Americans – including an estimated 250,000 Ohioans – from getting their full Social Security benefits because they’re also getting public pensions that didn’t withhold Social Security taxes. “I urge all my colleagues on both sides to join us, restore the Social Security that people who protect us and serve us have earned over a lifetime of work,” Brosn said before the vote. The bill passed the House of Representatives earlier this year with support from all its Ohio members.
Vance for president: Departing GOP U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah told CNN’s State of the Union that he believes Vice President-elect JD Vance will be the Republican Party’s 2028 presidential nominee, The Hill reports. “MAGA is the Republican Party, and Donald Trump is the Republican Party today,” Romney said. “And if you were to ask me who the nominee will be in 2028, it’ll be JD Vance.” Romney, who was the GOP’s 2012 presidential nominee, said Vance will likely be the next GOP leader because he is smart, well-spoken and believes in the MAGA movement.
Full Disclosure
Five things we learned from the Feb. 16, 2024 ethics disclosure form filed by state Rep.-elect Matthew Kishman, a Minerva Republican:
1. Kishman owns an IGA grocery store in Minerva and served on the village’s council and the Sandy Creek Joint Fire District.
2. His only investment worth more than $1,000 is stock in Consumers Bancorp Inc.
3. At some point last year, Kishman owed more than $1,000 to Consumers Bank for an auto loan and a home equity line of credit, to Huntington Bank for a home loan, and to Barclays Bank for a credit card.
4. He reported owning no real estate, though legislative candidates don’t have to list their personal residence or property used for personal recreation.
5. He wasn’t owed more than $1,000 at any time in 2023.
On the Move
GOP activist and former U.S. House of Representatives candidate Madison Gesiotto Gilbert of Canton has been appointed to serve on Ohio Right to Life’s Board of Trustees.
Birthdays
Former U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, a Cincinnati Republican
Straight from the Source
“As a high school senior, Sherrod, one day, got together with his friends, Paul and John, to organize a rally in Mansfield to honor the very first day Earth Day in 1970. This is what he did. He organized rallies. Some people went to ball games. Some people watch TV. Some people went out to restaurants. Sherrod organized rallies.”
– U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, in a speech honoring departing U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, a Cleveland Democrat.
Capitol Letter is a daily briefing providing succinct, timely information for those who care deeply about the decisions made by state government. Subscribe to get Capitol Letter in your email box each weekday for free.
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