sports news sports news IPL 2025: DC retain McGurk for Rs 9 cr & Harshal Patel joins SRH for Rs 8 crPair of original MLS clubs to play for Cup title

Stock market today: Wall Street edges back from its records as bitcoin briefly pops above $100,000

4 ruled out, 8 others questionable for Eagles vs. Panthers in Week 14 | Sporting News

Trump names Andrew Ferguson as head of Federal Trade Commission to replace Lina Khan

Stock market today: Wall Street edges back from its records as bitcoin briefly pops above $100,000

The Faces Behind ‘Made in Bangladesh’

With Ottawa's first notable snowfall expected Wednesday, the City of Ottawa says it will be closing the Chief William Commanda Bridge for the season. "Starting tomorrow, December 4, the Chief William Commanda Bridge will be closed for the 2024/2025 winter season as it will be unsafe for public use," the City of Ottawa said Tuesday in a post on social media . "New gates have been installed and will be used to open and close the bridge in the spring and fall as required." Ottawa is expected to receive around 10 cm of snow Wednesday. A winter weather travel advisory is in effect. The popular pedestrian and cycling crossing over the Ottawa River was not designed for winter use. City staff say they have looked into de-icing products, but none has been found to be suitable for the type of structure or the location of the bridge within the source water protection zone. A memo issued in early November said the city is not considering grooming snow for winter sports this year. The city said below-average levels of snowfall and higher than normal temperatures last winter made it impossible to assess the feasibility of alternate maintenance to accommodate winter activities. The span across the Ottawa River, known formerly as the Prince of Wales Bridge, opened as a new multi-use pathway for cyclists and pedestrians during the summer of 2023 after a $23.9 million renovation. --With files from CTV News Ottawa's William Eltherington Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. 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South Korea lifts president's martial law decree after lawmakers vote against it South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's government early Wednesday lifted the martial law he imposed during a tense night of political drama in which troops surrounded parliament and lawmakers voted to reject military rule. Atlantic Snow, rain, and wind expected for Maritimes this week with early December storm A developing low pressure skirting colder air in place across eastern parts of the country will bring snow, rain, and wind to the Maritimes on Thursday. Cape Breton investigating last year of municipal credit card transactions The Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) is investigating more than a year of transactions on a legislative credit card due to a lack of documents. N.B. woman dies after hit and run in Notre-Dame: RCMP A 40-year-old New Brunswick woman has died after she was struck by a vehicle in Notre-Dame, N.B. Toronto Walking pneumonia cases in Ontario have nearly tripled since 2019: report The number of walking pneumonia cases seen in Ontario this year is triple the amount of what was reported in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. Process around Ontario Place redevelopment was 'unfair' and didn't follow rules: AG Ontario's auditor general is slamming the Ford government for failing to follow proper process around the redevelopment of Ontario Place, including a revelation that senior staff communicated directly with Therme Canada and other applicants while proposals were still being accepted. Winter weather travel advisory: Toronto expected to see its first snowfall Wednesday Toronto is expecting its first snowfall of the season this week. Environment Canada has issued a winter weather advisory for the city, advising of snow accumulations near five centimetres on Wednesday. Montreal Despite devastating poll, Quebec Premier Legault confident he’s here to stay Despite a devastating poll, Premier François Legault is confident that he will lead the CAQ troops into the next electoral battle in two years' time. Quebec doctors who refuse to stay in public system for 5 years face $200K fine per day Quebec's health minister has tabled a bill that would force new doctors trained in the province to spend the first five years of their careers working in Quebec's public health network. Quebec prisons on lockdown after correctional officer severely beaten Quebec prisons were in lockdown on Tuesday after a correction officer at the Sorel-Tracy detention centre was attacked this week. Northern Ontario Man severely injured saving his wife from a polar bear attack in the Far North A man was severely injured Tuesday morning when he leaped onto a polar bear to protect his wife from being mauled in the Far North community of Fort Severn. Insults on social media lead to real-life assault in northern Ont. A Mississauga First Nation woman has been charged with assault after she took offence to comments about her on social media. Five years after toddler's brutal death, Northern Ont. family struggles to find peace, justice A North Bay family is struggling to find peace and justice as the five-year anniversary of the brutal death of toddler Oliver McCarthy approaches. Windsor Survey raises concerns about cannabis-impaired driving in Ontario A recent survey conducted by CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) highlights an increase in cannabis use among Ontario drivers, sparking some concern about impaired driving. 'Times are tough and we're feeling the stretch': Still time to give this Giving Tuesday Dec. 3 is Giving Tuesday and the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation (CKHAF) is calling on the community for support to help purchase a new fluoroscopy machine for Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA). Leamington man facing several firearms charges Essex County OPP have charged a 42-year-old man with firearms-related offences following the execution of a warrant in Leamington. London 'A real gamut': LHSC highlights number of serious seasonal injuries ahead of the holiday season As we head into the heart of the holiday season, experts at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) are cautioning the public in order to help prevent serious injuries. Tire shops 'spinning' with winter tire changeover demand London tire and automotive shops remain caught off guard by the sudden arrival of winter. 'We can’t wait for perfection': Local advocates respond to AG’s criticism of province’s plan to fight homelessness and addiction Local advocates for the province’s new strategy to fight homelessness and addiction came to its defence Tuesday. Kitchener Why Wilmot is proposing a $580 tax increase in its 2025 draft budget The Township of Wilmot has released its 2025 draft budget which included a one-time capital infrastructure investment. Teddy Bear Toss happening tonight at the Aud Calling all Kitchener Rangers fans! The Teddy Bear Toss returns for tonight's game against the Brantford Bulldogs. Guelph Police looking for missing pregnant woman Guelph Police are asking for help as they search for a missing pregnant woman. Barrie Snow-clearing efforts stalled due to tractor-trailers stuck on many roads along Highway 11 Snow-clearing efforts continue on secondary roads that remain closed along Highway 11 on Tuesday. Woman dies in two-vehicle crash on Highway 118 in Haliburton An 87-year-old woman has died following a collision on Highway 118 in Haliburton County on Monday afternoon. Crown pushes for 6-year sentence for supervisor convicted in fatal crash case Victim impact statements were read in a Barrie courtroom on Tuesday ahead of sentencing for a man convicted of criminal negligence causing the death of a dump truck driver four years ago. Winnipeg Manitoba opening trade office in Washington, D.C. The Manitoba government is opening a trade office in Washington, D.C., next year. Every Winnipeg driver pulled over during checkstop program must give breath sample: police Every driver pulled over in Winnipeg as part of the police’s annual festive season checkstop program will have to provide a breath sample. Young Manitoba woman dies after medical emergency during dental appointment The Manitoba Dental Association (MDA) said it is investigating a critical incident where a young woman from the Morden-Winkler area died following a dental appointment. Calgary Person found dead in Taradale home with high CO levels: CFD A person was found dead in a Taradale home where emergency crews discovered high levels of carbon monoxide. Calgary man who drove U-Haul over wife sentenced to 15 years A Calgary man who killed his wife in 2020 when he drove over her in a loaded U-Haul has been sentenced to 15 years behind bars. Calgarians need to make more money to avoid homelessness than other Canadians: study New research suggests Calgarians need to make more money than people in other major Canadian cities in order to keep their homes. Edmonton Ex-Alberta teacher convicted of sex crime involving child for 2nd time Former Alberta teacher Brian Davison has been found guilty of one count of sexual exploitation in connection with an incident involving a child. U of A team repurposes culinary device to improve frostbite injury outcomes University of Alberta researchers have created a device they believe could significantly reduce the number of frostbite cases that end in amputation. Gibbons man charged with child pornography offences A 23-year-old Alberta man has been charged in connection with a 10-month-long child pornography investigation. Regina Regulations around foreign ownership of Sask. farmland need better enforcement, auditor finds The Provincial Auditor of Saskatchewan is recommending that the province improve its system of monitoring sales of farmland to foreign entities. Formal expectations needed for answering 911 calls: Sask. auditor reports The Provincial Auditor assessed the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency’s (SPSA) 911 call taking and dispatching processes for fire emergencies, focusing on the Provincial Emergency Communications Centre. Attempted murder charge laid after home invasion, series of hit and runs in Regina Two people in Regina are facing a list of charges following a series of alleged acts that include a home invasion, multiple collisions and attempted murder. Saskatoon Major power outage hits much of Saskatoon's west side A large power outage is affecting much of Saskatoon’s west side and portions of the east side of the city on Tuesday afternoon. Saskatoon city council raises property taxes 4.96% next year Saskatoon city councillors approved a municipal budget that will raise property taxes 4.96 per cent in 2025. Teenage girl among two killed in Saskatchewan First Nation house fire Vancouver BC SPCA to rescue up to 30 stray cats from one Kamloops home The BC SPCA is warning of the consequences of feeding stray cats after a person accidentally lured over 25 felines to their home in Kamloops, B.C. BREAKING | New Vancouver Art Gallery plan scrapped, board seeks new design The Vancouver Art Gallery has decided to start all over again and shelve plans for a new nine-level tower made of wood and glass, CTV News has learned. Taylor Swift fans flock to BC Place, days before Eras Tour lands in Vancouver Security fencing is going up around BC Place stadium in preparation for the final days of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour this weekend, while dozens of Swifties gather near by to feel the vibe and "breathe the same air as Taylor Swift." Vancouver Island Canadian military drones enter production, though Arctic modifications will be required Canada's first combat drones have now entered production, though the remotely piloted aircraft will require years of testing and significant modifications before the first units are delivered in 2028. Taylor Swift fans flock to BC Place, days before Eras Tour lands in Vancouver Security fencing is going up around BC Place stadium in preparation for the final days of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour this weekend, while dozens of Swifties gather near by to feel the vibe and "breathe the same air as Taylor Swift." Coroners inquest set for B.C. woman with Down Syndrome who starved to death The BC Coroners Service will hold an inquest into the death of Florence Girard, a 54-year-old woman with Down syndrome who died of starvation in 2018. Kelowna Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas. Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026 The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday. 545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day. Stay Connected

Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown could miss 2025 season after latest knee injury, coach says

NoneNoneAs the stock market has moved higher, one victim has been dividend yields . With the average payout for the S&P 500 down to just 1.25%, such stocks have lost a bit of appeal at a time when investors can earn a guaranteed return of around 5% in some certificates of deposit. Nonetheless, you don't need to look far to find stocks with high, sustainable dividends and significant potential for stock price growth. Even with a budget of $3,000, a $1,000 investment in each of these stocks can bring a quick stream of dividend income without undermining the potential for stock price growth. Start Your Mornings Smarter! Wake up with Breakfast news in your inbox every market day. Sign Up For Free » AT&T Admittedly, AT&T 's (NYSE: T) recent dividend history may make its stock a strange choice at first glance. In 2022, the company abandoned a 35-year streak of payout hikes, slashing the dividend by 45%. It has remained at the $1.11-per-share level since then, yielding 4.8% at current prices. AT&T also carries a massive total debt of $129 billion, a huge burden considering its $116 billion in stockholders' equity . However, the dividend is holding up well considering this challenge. The debt fell by $8 billion over the previous nine months. Additionally, thanks to its $17 billion to $18 billion in free cash flow forecast for 2024, AT&T can pay for debt reduction while covering the $8 billion annual dividend cost. Moreover, because of a near-exclusive focus on its wireless network and fiber, AT&T has added nearly 1.2 million wireless net customers and over 700,000 fiber net customers in the first nine months of 2024. That growing customer base allows AT&T to solidify its business. Investors are taking notice of such improvements, and the stock price has risen 45% over the last year. With a relatively low P/E ratio of 19, investors may have an added incentive to buy AT&T stock now before the rising stock price further reduces its dividend yield. Innovative Industrial Properties The idea of buying a cannabis-related real estate investment trust (REIT) like Innovative Industrial Properties (IIP) (NYSE: IIPR) may seem counterintuitive right now. Although IIP serves only medical cannabis growers, the Republican sweep in the 2024 elections could slow a continued legalization process. Also, in recent quarters, a rapid growth rate came to a halt amid problems with some non-paying tenants on its 108 properties. However, IIP proved itself adept at managing such properties by either unloading them or finding new tenants to take their places. The company has also hiked its dividend at least once per year since beginning its dividend in 2017. Consequently, its $7.60-per-share annual payout yields 7.2%. That was less than $8.11 per share in funds from operations (FFO) income over the last 12 months, meaning it can sustain its dividend. Even with the significant pullback after the election, IIP stock is still up 33% for the year. Thanks to that discounted stock price, IIP stock sells at a price-to-FFO ratio of around 13. Between that valuation and the massive dividend yield, IIP offers a huge incentive to wait on a likely recovery from the recent pullback. Realty Income Realty Income (NYSE: O) is a REIT specializing in single-tenant commercial properties. It rents such buildings on a net lease arrangement, meaning the tenant pays for the taxes, insurance, and maintenance of the properties. This means the company can retain more of the revenue from the properties as profit. Moreover, nearly 99% of the company's approximately 15,500 properties have tenants. Hence, it continues to develop and acquire more property to raise its revenue over time. Admittedly, the higher interest rates over the last few years have weighed on the stock and its profitability. Nonetheless, the lower price has also increased the dividend yield. Its $3.16-per-share annual payout yields about 5.6%, far surpassing the S&P 500 average. Also, higher rates have not stopped the company from raising its payout, and its dividend has increased at least once per year since its inception in 1994. Finally, while higher rates have had Realty Income stock trading more than 30% below its 2020 high, the falling rates should increase the company's profitability. At a price-to-FFO ratio of about 14, that could set up investors to benefit from a sizable dividend and, later, a long-awaited stock recovery. Should you invest $1,000 in AT&T right now? Before you buy stock in AT&T, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now... and AT&T wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $869,885 !* Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of November 18, 2024 Will Healy has positions in Innovative Industrial Properties. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Realty Income. The Motley Fool recommends Innovative Industrial Properties. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy . The Smartest Dividend Stocks to Buy With $3,000 Right Now was originally published by The Motley Fool

AP Trending SummaryBrief at 4:29 p.m. ESTMcCarthy said Overshown has a “long road of rehab in front of him.” The second-year player tore multiple ligaments when a Bengals lineman crashed into his leg in the Cowboys' 27-20 loss Monday night. Overshown missed all of his rookie year in 2023 after tearing the ACL in his left knee in a preseason game. The latest injury came in his first game since a spectacular 23-yard interception return for a touchdown in a 27-20 victory over the New York Giants on Thanksgiving. “DeMarvion is getting ready to have a big surgery in front of him,” McCarthy said of the procedure planned this week. “His physical and football talent speaks for itself. He’s such a bright light. He’s got a great, infectious personality — a tough young man. He is definitely going to be missed.” The former Texas standout, drafted in the third round last year, was second on the team to star pass rusher Micah Parsons with five sacks when he went down. The December timing of Overshown's injury means rehab is likely to extend past training camp and into the regular season next year, after he turns 25. Parsons was emotional when asked about Overshown after the Cincinnati game. “I cried,” he said. “It’s like my little bro, bro. He doesn’t deserve that either. Just to understand what he’s going to go through and to be there for him physically, mentally. It’s just so challenging because of the year he was having. I really just don’t think that’s fair either.” The loss of Overshown comes with defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence close to return from a foot injury that has sidelined him since Week 4. But the Cowboys (5-8) are all but out of the playoffs as they prepare to visit Carolina (3-10) on Sunday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflBrokerages are split over new RBI governor's rate move

The Miller Beach Tourism Bureau has installed maps around the lakefront Miller section of Gary highlighting local merchants, including at the new South Shore Line Station. It also established the visitmillerbeachgary.com website with a directory of local businesses and detailed guide to the Indiana Dunes National Park, Lake Michigan and other attractions. It is further launching a social media presence on Instagram and Facebook that showcases the area's natural beauty and role as the western gateway to the Indiana Dunes. Small businesses owners came together to form the Miller Beach Tourism Bureau group, which landed grant funding from the Knight Foundation and Legacy Foundation to promote Miller Beach as an ecotourism destination. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts The graphic designer Brianna Schwab designed the Miller Beach business district map sign, which has been installed on Lake Street and the South Shore Miller Park. A new highway exit sign also was added on Dunes Highway. New wayfinding signs were put in to guide visitors to Marquette Park and the newly reopened Douglas Nature Center, which is part of the Indiana Dunes National Park and a trailhead for the Miller Woods. Brochures, a detailed downtown map and tear sheets were distributed to local businesses to help guide people to businesses like Indie Indie Bang Bang, Tiny's Coffee Bar and the Miller School Shops & Spaces. "We are so very grateful to NICTD for fabricating and installing this sign," said Peggy Blackwell, President of the Miller Beach Tourism Bureau. "Miller Beach is a hyperconnected destination. In just 50 minutes from Millennium Station in downtown Chicago, visitors can disembark with a bike and ride to Lake Michigan in just 20 minutes. Along the way, they’ll find charming restaurants, unique shops, and key points of the Indiana Dunes National Park, including the Douglas Nature Center. This sign will help guide visitors from the train station to all of these amazing places." For more information, visit visitmillerbeachgary.com .Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP Reminds Investors of Looming Deadline in the Class Action Lawsuit Against Acadia Healthcare Company Inc. (ACHC)

Loneliness has become so prevalent that the U.S. Surgeon General referred to loneliness and isolation as an epidemic affecting productivity and engagement in schools, workplaces, and civic organizations. According to the 2023 Work in America Survey by the American Psychological Association, 26 percent of employees — both working in offices and remotely — reported feeling lonely and isolated at work. With 167 million people in the United States’ labor force as of May, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are clearly many lonely people sitting behind computer screens and along factory lines. Jennice Chewlin, owner of Chewlin Group, a New Hampshire-based consultancy focused on improving workplace well-being through training, coaching, and strategy development, says many of those people may be hiding their feelings of loneliness. Creating a workplace culture of belonging is crucial, she says. “If you want to improve workplace wellbeing and reduce loneliness start with belonging,” she says, citing a recent American Psychological Association report. “Twenty percent of respondents to an APA survey said they did not feel like they belonged at work when asked.” From a financial perspective, loneliness often results in disengaged employees, lower productivity and decreased performance, costing businesses an estimated $154 billion annually in stress-related absenteeism alone in 2019, according to the Cigna Group’s Loneliness Index. Stuart Lustig, the national medical executive for behavioral health strategy and product design at Evernorth, a division of the Cigna Group, says when people are feeling lonely and disconnected, whether they work for a small or a large company, those employees are more likely to quit. “This happens when people feel disconnected from others and with their work,” he says. “We’re social beings by nature and want to feel connected and be with others at least some of the time.” Tackling loneliness post-COVID Loneliness became a huge problem during the COVID-19 pandemic, when offices across the country closed, sending people home to bedrooms, dining rooms and whatever spaces they could find. Chewlin says COVID exposed problems with workplace wellbeing that had been simmering for years. “There was a need to identify and prevent burn out,” she says. Chewlin, whose background is in public health, started Chewlin Group in 2022. “COVID taught workplaces they can’t keep doing business as usual and for those companies that made employee wellbeing a priority, they’re seeing the most benefit today.” And even as companies and workers adjusted to the “new normal” following the pandemic, loneliness in the workplace remains as prevalent as ever. Maggie Pritchard, CEO of Lakes Region Mental Health Center in Laconia and president of the N.H. Community Behavioral Health Association, says, “Feelings of loneliness at work are on the rise post-pandemic, both for our mental health workforce and the patients we see, [and] we likely won’t know the full extent of the crisis for years.” Remote work since the pandemic created more flexibility for employees and allowed businesses to reduce travel and office expenses, but it also affects peoples’ ability to stay connected, says Pritchard. “Remote work significantly changed workplace culture. People experienced unprecedented isolation,” she says. Sue Drolet, chief human resource officer for Lakes Region Mental Health, says workforce flexibility that provides more autonomy can also lead to isolation for some people. “If someone is feeling lonely at work, especially if they work remotely, they should reach out to a co-worker, schedule a meeting, phone call, or lunch,” she says. “There is a balance that can be achieved.” Understanding, combating loneliness Being proactive is one way to combat workforce loneliness. At Mainstay Technologies in Manchester, talking about loneliness and wellbeing is built into the company’s monthly check-ins with its 100 employees. President Jason Golden says Mainstay creates opportunities for connection and belonging. “We are very intentional about creating systems of communication,” Golden says. “You can’t force connections, but you can force opportunities.” Mainstay holds lunch and learn sessions allowing employees to connect with each other and offers quarterly outings, including to Funtown Splashtown USA in Maine. Golden and his team are aware of the potential for burnout, particularly for service companies like Mainstay. “We watch overtime, including billable client hours, to make sure there’s a good work-life balance,” he says. “And we’ve been very intentional in the past year about training our leadership in the idea of radical respect,” which involves honoring individuality, rather than demanding conformity and creating opportunities for collaboration, not coercion. “We’re super intentional about creating as many opportunities as we can to eliminate loneliness and increase connection,” Golden says. Pritchard says companies are increasing such efforts. “People, including legislators, are recognizing that mental health is a major priority,” she says. “The younger workforce, ‘Gen Z’ for example, is more comfortable asking for help or mental health days at work. This is helping to normalize it and reduce stigma.” Companies are also reaching out to experts for assistance. Chewlin Group facilitates conversations with companies by helping them make informed decisions about increasing potential opportunities for employee engagement and wellbeing.“[People] often confuse feeling lonely with being alone,” Chewlin says, citing the surgeon general’s definition of loneliness, which is rooted in feelings of disconnection and a lack of belonging. “There’s often a deficit of connection.” Loneliness is a normal human experience, as much as happiness, joy, or hunger, Chewlin says, adding that it is often hidden. “There’s stigma attached to this feeling,” she says. “People feel others will perceive them as having something wrong with them and because of this we put on a mask and pretend everything is OK.” Nicole Sublette, owner of Therapists of Color New England in Manchester, says the topic of workplace disconnection and loneliness came up recently at a Stay Work Play event she attended. “People were talking about this, and my own business really struggles because people tend to work in silos,” she says. One thing Sublette has done to combat loneliness at her company is to plan group gatherings. Recently, Therapists of Color also created a “clinician support coordinator” to do check-ins and meetings with staff. “Workplaces today are becoming more progressive around mental health and wellness. I had a client whose organization offered wellness incentives including yoga, gym memberships and coaching.” Sublette says 50 percent of Therapists of Color’s work is telehealth and that staff work two days in office. “This allows people to grab lunch with each other and they have two hours off during the day,” she says. “I try to make everyone’s lunch hours the same.” Money, race, and age matters When it comes to loneliness in the workplace, certain trends stand out. One is age. The 2024 Work in America Survey by the American Psychological Association found that 45 percent of workers ages 18 to 25 felt lonely, compared to 33 percent of workers ages 26 to 33, 22 percent of workers ages 44 to 57 and about 15 percent of workers over age 58. “It seems counterintuitive. You would think younger people would have more connections than older people, but it doesn’t pan out that way,” says Lustig, a child psychiatrist by training. “Younger people are supposed to be forming their identities and making lasting connections, graduating college, having their first jobs, and much of that was hindered by the pandemic.” The U.S. Surgeon General laid out a framework of five requirements for workplace mental health and wellbeing. They are: protection from harm, opportunity for growth, connection and community, mattering at work and work-life harmony. Forlower paid workers, these are harder to find. Lustig says that while money can’t buy a person happiness, it can buy friends. “All joking aside, having connections with friends is an indicator of well-being,” he says, explaining that having financial resources provides the ability to better engage in social activities. And working more hours to make ends meet is time away from family and friends, he adds. “People with better financial resources can engage in important activities and stay more connected.” According to a 2021 Cigna report, men and women have roughly the same likelihood of loneliness (57 percent of men and 59 percent of women) while people from underrepresented racial groups are more likely to be lonely. Seventy five percent of Hispanic adults and 68 percent of Black/African American adults are classified as lonely — at least 10 points higher than what is seen among the total adult population (58 percent). Sublette says people of color — who can experience powerlessness and invisibility — and those with neurodivergence have needs that employers may not understand. “It’s important for employers to gauge their employees’ needs individually. When it comes to group gatherings they can simply ask, ‘what do you want to do, what does fun look like to you,’ these questions are important,” she says. Creating the potential for connection Creating a workplace of belonging begins with trust, says Chewlin. This includes executive leaders, managers and employees working together to build that trust. “This requires more than a one-and-done approach, she says. “But when building trust is made a priority, workplaces can help create a momentum for change where everyone thrives.” Golden of Mainstay says he asks employees what is meaningful in their lives and how they can get closer to that. He emphasizes to his staff the importance of fostering positive relationships with people who are trusted sources of wisdom. “You need to know your squad,” he says. “When you’re feeling lonely, who is it you turn to?” As the leader of a tech company, Golden says he’s aware of the dangers of isolation. “I’m an introvert who also enjoys people,” he says, adding he’d typically rather be reading a book than attending networking events. “There’s a seduction for introverts, especially in the tech world where much of the work is online ... they sometimes think they can solve everything in their own mind. That’s dangerous.”