Over 10,000 Deere & Co. employees in the United Auto Workers union went on strike Thursday after 90% voted to reject a contract offer earlier this week, and workers began picketing outside several plants including a large factory in Waterloo, Iowa. This is the first time employees of the farm equipment giant have gone on strike in 35 years, and the company said it expects to continue production with "employees and others" amid soaring demand.

An estimated 4.3 million people have exited the workforce since the start of the coronavirus crisis and, amid speculation that many may never return, employers are faced with the challenge of having a smaller labor pool to select from and little alternative but to offer higher wages. The mass exit has occurred across most demographic and professional classes, but it has been seen particularly in the departure of women and those in lower-paid service sectors.

The Employee Benefit Research Institute's 2021 Workplace Wellness Survey showed that more than half of respondents felt satisfied with their employers' health benefit offerings. About half of respondents said the pandemic had highlighted the importance of better mental health benefits.

The pandemic has nearly everyone reevaluating what they want from their career, with growth a priority even if a straightforward promotion isn't available, writes Julie Winkle Giulioni. She offers four questions that can help leaders understand what employees want, such as "What feelings would you like to experience more during your daily work?"

There are 15.5 million Americans who identify as digital nomads, MBO Partners reports, and Caribbean resorts are rolling out the red carpet for them. Companies such as Workmango.com help workers find the right spot, taking into account such issues as safety, health care, Wi-Fi and transportation.

Have you been following the Frances Haugen, Facebook whistleblower, story? If you have, you’ll be interested in today’s Leadership & Development story about what drives whistleblowers to come forward. The variables that factor into this type of move -- workplace culture, ethical leadership and personal stamina factor into it -- are fascinating. But what impact it will have on how companies examine their own products remains to be seen, according to Wharton assistant management professor Samir Nurmohamed.

“This has been coined as a Big Tobacco moment for Facebook, and a lot of it depends on whether more people speak up or not,” he said.

What do you think? Let me know! And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also.