Microsoft’s new unlimited vacation policy | Amazon closes Fresh Pickup facility in Seattle

Tech layoffs continue | Bill Gates AMA | Are social media companies to blame for the youth mental health crisis? ADVERTISEMENT [GeekWire]( SPONSOR MESSAGE: EVOLVE 401(k): The retirement plan for business that dream big: [Enhance your employee benefits with ALLtech, available exclusively to GeekWire member companies.]( TODAY'S TOP STORIES Microsoft this week [told employees]( that it is shifting to “Discretionary Time Off” for U.S. salaried employees, ditching the traditional paid vacation system for what it calls a “more flexible model.” - Unlimited vacation may sound like an amazing job perk. But employee benefits and recruiting experts warn that such policies can have detrimental effects on workers — and the real purpose may be more about a company’s bottom line. [Read more](. Are social media companies to blame for the youth mental health crisis? The answer is complicated, according to experts. - As two Washington state school districts sue TikTok, Meta, YouTube and others, researchers debate how much time on the platforms actually contributes to youth depression, anxiety and suicide. [Read more.]( Amazon is closing a Fresh Pickup location in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood nearly six years after the facility opened and ushered in a new era of grocery shopping. - Another location south of downtown remains open, but the spot on 15th Avenue NW will close at the end of the month. The company said it will focus on nearby Fresh stores. [Read more.]( Starbucks interim CEO Howard Schultz told employees to come back to the office at least three days a week to “rebuild and revive the energy” of its headquarters. - The new directive is aimed, in part, at leveling the playing field among corporate workers who have been remote for three years and store employees who have not had that option. [Read more.]( Layoffs continue to affect the Seattle tech industry: - [Seattle employees impacted as Qualtrics cuts 270 jobs]( - [Employee experience company Limeade to cut 15% of workforce]( - [Washington Technology Industry Association lays off 14% of staff]( In an unprecedented meeting between tech executives and religious leaders, the Vatican played host to a discussion on the ethics of artificial intelligence. - Microsoft President Brad Smith, greeting Pope Francis, above, spoke with GeekWire about the meeting, the intersection of tech and faith, Microsoft's approach to the ethics of AI, and more. [Read more.]( In his latest Reddit “Ask Me Anything” session, Bill Gates answered questions about AI, climate change, healthcare and his favorite TV show of the moment. - The Microsoft co-founder is impressed by generative AI and OpenAI’s ChatGPT. He also liked season two of HBO’s “The White Lotus.” [Read more.]( Oh, crap, this Amazon delivery driver sure had an ordeal when he fell into a septic hole while making a stop at a customer’s house. - The man posted on TikTok while standing in knee-deep sludge several feet below ground. And after being rescued, he finished his route. [Read more.]( A new bill in this year’s legislative session aims to establish a plan to allow digital driver’s licenses in the state of Washington. - It may be welcome news to those who forget their wallet at home, or are getting more comfortable replacing physical cards and paper with their smartphone. [Read more](. Thanks for reading, and have a great day. — GeekWire managing editor Taylor Soper, taylor@geekwire.com, and reporter Kurt Schlosser, [kurt@geekwire.com.](mailto:kurt@geekwire.com) SPONSOR MESSAGE [Evening MBA applications due February 14.]( Aiming for career advancement, looking to change industries, want to change the world? A Foster MBA can get you there. Foster is committed to bettering humanity through business by providing a world-class, affordable education in a hub of ingenuity and innovation. Test-optional applications are open now. [Find out which MBA program is right for you.]( LATEST HEADLINES [Why Microsoft’s new unlimited vacation policy could be problematic for employees]( [Oh, crap! Amazon delivery driver falls into septic hole, films it for TikTok, gets rescued, finishes route]( [Tech gets religion on AI: Inside the Vatican summit with Islamic and Jewish leaders, Microsoft and IBM]( [Are social media companies to blame for youth mental health crisis? It’s complicated]( [Washington Technology Industry Association lays off 14% of staff]( [Amazon closing Fresh Pickup location in Seattle which ushered in new era of grocery shopping]( [Employee experience company Limeade laying off 15% of workforce; CFO to resign]( [Starbucks wants corporate workers back in office 3 days a week to ‘rebuild and revive the energy’]( [Qualtrics cuts 270 jobs; Seattle employees impacted]( [Bill Gates talks AI, climate, Microsoft, the new season of ‘White Lotus’ and more in Reddit ‘AMA’]( [Microsoft is giving U.S. salaried employees unlimited vacation]( GEEKWORK: TODAY'S TECH JOBS - [Remitly: Senior Software Engineer, Fraud Prevention]( - [MovingWorlds: Senior Fullstack Engineer for Scaling Social Enterprise]( - [MedBridge: Software Engineer III (Back end)]( - [Remitly: Senior Mobile Software Development Engineer – B2B Platform (Seattle or U.S. Remote)]( - [Remitly: Engineering Manager, Lending]( [FIND MORE JOBS ON GEEKWORK]( [HIRING? 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