Articles by Alexandra Olson

Jabs on the Job: Companies, Unions Offering COVID-19 Vaccines

Marie Watson wanted to be among the first in line when she and other essential workers became eligible for the coronavirus vaccine — and with good reason. The maintenance parts buyer for a Mission Foods tortilla plant in Pueblo, Colorado, …

From Insurers to Landlords, Retailers to Restaurants, COVID Reshapes Economies

It would be just a temporary precaution. When the viral pandemic erupted in March, employees of the small digital insurance firm Thimble fled their Manhattan offices. CEO Jay Bregman planned to call them back soon — as soon as New …

Microsoft Says Labor Department Is Questioning Its Effort to Boost Diversity

Microsoft says the U.S. Labor Department is scrutinizing its efforts to boost Black employment and leadership at the tech company. Microsoft disclosed in a blog post Tuesday that it received a letter from the agency last week asking about the …

Workers Turn Into Sleuths to Track Sicknesses Where Employers Keep Covid Data Secret

Jana Jumpp spends eight hours a day updating a spreadsheet — not for work, but a recent hobby: figuring out how many of Amazon’s 400,000 warehouse workers have fallen sick with the coronavirus. Amazon won’t give a number, so Jumpp …

Genoa Bridge’s ‘Unusual’ Design Investigated as Possible Contributor to Collapse

The bridge that collapsed in the Italian port city of Genoa was considered a feat of engineering innovation when it was built five decades ago, but it came to require constant maintenance over the years. Its design is now being …