Thousands of workers are facing an unsettling reality heading into 2025. After years of working from the comfort of home, they're being told it’s time to return to the office full-time for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic. That can bring a host of challenges, including losing time with family. Workers at Amazon, AT&T and other companies have been called back to the office five days a week. Experts have advice to share about how to navigate the changes when an employer calls you back to the office.   Workers can convey what they need, seek flexibility and if all else fails, consider other options.

Lamb Weston, a major supplier of frozen French fries to global chains like McDonald’s, KFC and Taco Bell, has named a new CEO after posting a surprise loss in the second quarter as consumers pull back on the money they spend on food outside the home. But struggles at the company have been no secret on Wall Street and its shares have tumbled more than 40% this year. In October the Idaho company announced job cuts and said it would close a plant and cut production as demand sagged. Lamb Weston has more than 10,000 employees worldwide. Shares slumped more than 23% on Thursday.

Japanese automakers Nissan Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. have confirmed that they are discussing closer collaboration but denied reports they have decided on a merger. Nissan's share price soared more than 22% after reports citing unnamed sources said it might merge with Honda to form the world's third largest automaking group. Trading in Nissan's shares was suspended in Tokyo but then resumed after the companies issued a statement that said they were “considering various possibilities for future collaboration, but no decisions have been made.” Honda’s share price sank 2.3%. Nissan has an alliance with Renault SA that is under review. It recently announced it was slashing 9,000 jobs and cutting its global production by 20%.

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 18, 2024--