Lloyds Banking Group is now mandating that senior staff work in the office at least two days a week or face reduced bonuses, impacting 12,000 employees. Meanwhile, with the possibility of a US TikTok ban looming, now could be the perfect time to explore becoming a YouTube creator—find out how in today’s Money Making Moves:

> Lloyds Banking Group is tightening its office attendance policy, requiring senior staff to work in the office at least two days a week or face reduced bonuses. The new system will affect about 12,000 employees, approximately 20% of its workforce, as part of an effort to emphasize in-office work following significant renovations to its City headquarters. Lloyds joins other major firms like Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, and Amazon in reversing remote work trends, citing concerns over productivity, corporate culture, and mentorship opportunities. While hybrid work remains popular, particularly among degree-holders, some companies are pushing back, highlighting the need to balance flexibility with strategic business goals.

> Meta has adopted a performance-focused workforce management strategy, mirroring Amazon’s approach of systematically removing underperformers to maintain lean, high-performing teams. CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced plans to cut 5% of Meta's lowest-performing employees, signaling a shift from Silicon Valley's traditional practice of retaining talent to prevent competitors from hiring them. This trend reflects a broader shift in corporate power dynamics, with companies like Microsoft and Google also implementing performance-based job cuts. The move marks a departure from the once employee-friendly culture of tech giants, as leaders now emphasize strict performance evaluations amid evolving political and market conditions.

> Spirit Airlines is cutting about 200 non-union jobs as part of its efforts to save $80 million and recover from financial struggles following its November Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. CEO Ted Christie emphasized the need to streamline operations, reduce costs, and run a smaller airline to regain financial stability. The carrier has also furloughed pilots, offered voluntary leaves to flight attendants, reduced its network, and sold parts of its Airbus fleet to raise cash. Spirit’s challenges include the blocked JetBlue merger, engine recalls, and rising labor costs, but the airline remains on track to exit bankruptcy this quarter.

The weight loss industry continues to thrive, presenting a lucrative opportunity for businesses offering innovative solutions like weight loss drugs. With increasing awareness of health and fitness, consumers are actively seeking effective and convenient ways to shed excess weight, making these products highly marketable. Advances in medical research have produced drugs that provide safe, clinically proven results, appealing to a broad audience ranging from those struggling with obesity to individuals seeking to maintain a healthy lifestyle. By tapping into this growing demand, entrepreneurs can position themselves at the forefront of a booming market, driving profits while contributing to improved health outcomes for their customers. To start your journey to health and wealth, click here. 

Becoming a travel agent can be a viable side hustle for those with a flexible schedule and a passion for travel. This role requires availability for client needs, particularly during travel emergencies, making time management crucial. It can start as a part-time venture and grow into a full-time career, depending on the dedication and effort invested. While prior experience isn’t always necessary, leveraging training programs and industry resources can help you build a successful and rewarding business over time. To get you started, you can also click here. 

> With more than a billion hours of YouTube content being streamed on TVs every day, creators have a prime opportunity to captivate this expanding audience. To make the most of this shift, creators can dive into YouTube Analytics to track TV-specific metrics like watch time and average view duration, which tend to be higher for TV viewers. Investing in 4K video quality, eye-catching thumbnails, and serialized content can help attract viewers, while curated playlists encourage binge-watching sessions. Additionally, a streamlined channel page with high-resolution visuals and an organized layout ensures a professional and engaging experience for big-screen audiences. To know more on how to become a YouTube creator, click here. 

> Sweden has introduced stricter citizenship criteria, including longer residency requirements, mandatory Swedish language proficiency tests, and a new “honest living” standard. The government aims to strengthen integration by emphasizing shared Swedish values and ensuring applicants have financial independence. Proposed changes include extending the minimum residency period from five to eight years and implementing a digital culture test to assess knowledge of Swedish society. These measures reflect Sweden’s broader shift toward restrictive immigration policies, with asylum grants and applications reaching their lowest levels in decades..

> Zoe Kitching, an NHS worker battling severe mental health issues, won a discrimination case after being dismissed despite accruing over 400 sick days between 2019 and 2023. The Manchester Employment Tribunal found the hospital's management failed to acknowledge her disability, relying on a flawed occupational health report and disregarding other medical evidence. The tribunal ruled her dismissal as discriminatory and unreasonable, highlighting the NHS's failure to provide reasonable accommodations, including denying her request for reduced working hours. Judge Childe condemned the decision as irrational, and Kitching is set to receive compensation for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination.