Yuki Noguchi

Toys R Us is officially going out of business. Unable to get its finances in order through a months-long bankruptcy process, the retail chain has reached the end of the line.

Courts are weighing whether some contractors for firms like Uber and Grubhub should receive the rights and benefits afforded to employees — a choice one judge calls an "all-or-nothing" proposition.

Passage of paid family leave laws in states like Washington is spurring federal lawmakers from both parties to float their own proposals, but so far support is not bridging party lines.

Since the mass killing at a Parkland, Fla., school this month, many teachers have called on funds to sell their stakes in gun-makers. But some fund managers say that may not lead to industry change.

After Congress approved a cut, Disney, like some other corporations, promised bonuses for workers, but now the company says workers must agree to the wage offer on the table in contract negotiations.

The movement has galvanized workers in low-wage industries to shine a light on sexual harassment and assault. Advocates are pushing for changes including higher wages and better reporting tools.

The Black Car Fund provides workers' compensation and other benefits for 125,000 taxi, Lyft and other drivers. It may offer a template for establishing benefits for the growing freelance workforce.

A new NPR/Marist poll shows that more than half of contract workers don't get employee benefits. "We really don't have much of a social safety net, and that's terrifying," freelancer Matt Nelson says.

One in five workers is a contract worker, according to a new NPR/Marist poll. Within a decade, contractors and freelancers could make up half of the workforce, a shift with far-reaching implications.

Phillip Morris publicized its New Year's resolution to try to give up cigarettes, at least in the U.K. Critics say the firm used the opportunity to market its e-cigarettes as a healthier alternative.

Is the shift in dealing with sexual harassment driven by differences in how the generations perceive the issue — or is it indicative of a shift in how we think about work?

If the U.S. ends temporary protected status for 300,000 Caribbean and Central American workers, there are fears it will have ripple effects — especially on post-hurricane construction.

Allegations of sexual harassment often sound like they would make a good lawsuit, but many such cases are quickly dismissed. The law sets a high bar for what constitutes sexual harassment.

Recent sexual harassment allegations highlight the power of victims coming forward and revealing patterns of bad behavior. But cases before the Supreme Court could curb such claims in the workplace.

From Hollywood to the media world, more people have decided to publicly name their alleged perpetrators, effectively turning the tables for victims who say they endured shame in silence.

The primary reason most harassment training fails is that both managers and workers regard it as a pro forma exercise aimed at limiting the employer's legal liability, trainers and lawyers say.

Most employers have policies on reporting sexual harassment, and human resources officials are required to investigate those claims. But those filing the complaints can face obstacles, experts say.

Increasingly, employers require employees to resolve disputes about anything from harassment to discrimination through individual arbitration. That means they can't join class-action suits.

Part of the appeal of spaces like WeWork is flexibility; monthly membership means avoiding the commitment of a long-term lease. But the real value, the firms say, is a more innovative work culture.