Work in Progress · Weekly Newsletter

A weekly read on people, teams, and culture.

Data, opinion, and primary sources. I connect what's happening across HR research, workplace trends, and economic signals into one clear takeaway for the leaders running growing teams.

What you get

Three things in every issue

Analysis, not aggregation

Each issue picks a side. You get a thesis you can argue with, not a list of links you'll never read.

Primary sources, always linked

Gallup, Valoir, DHR, Microsoft. Original research, not third-party summaries. If a stat is cited, the link is there.

One question to act on

Every issue ends with a reflection question for leaders. Something to bring to your next 1:1 or leadership meeting.

A note on cadence: I publish monthly on LinkedIn. The email version goes weekly, with more depth, more sources, and analysis I can't fit into a post.

See what you're signing up for

A recent issue

April 2, 2026 · Issue

Your People Are Talking. Just Not to You.

The workplace feels more tense, more uncertain, and more draining than ever. And I'm going to connect the dots.

Gallup released data showing employee engagement has dropped to 31%, the lowest in a decade. For the first time, more workers say that they're struggling rather than thriving. And over half are either actively looking for a new job or keeping an eye out for one, even though only 28% think it's a good time to move.

The state of the workforce right now is restless, but not seeing a clear path forward.

Now, the engagement number alone doesn't tell the full story. What's underneath it is more important.

Read the full issue

Who writes it

Michael Franco

12+ years in HR and People Ops. Founder of Quokka Hub, an engagement and DISC platform for growing teams.

I write Work in Progress because most HR newsletters either aggregate news or sell certifications. Neither helps a leader make a decision on Monday morning. This one tries to.

FAQ

A few quick answers

How often will I hear from you?

Once a week. No more, no less. If a week passes without a strong take, I'd rather skip than fill space.

Can I unsubscribe anytime?

One click in any email. No hoops, no exit surveys, no friction.

What do you do with my email?

Send you Work in Progress. That's it. No selling, no sharing, no third-party lists.

Is this different from your LinkedIn newsletter?

Yes. LinkedIn gets a monthly post. Email subscribers get weekly issues with more depth, more sources, and the occasional take I can't fit into a post.

Work in Progress

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