Office Politics: The Battle For The Future Of Work

Episode One

It’s Just A Room: Productivity And The Return To The Office

"I mean, this is a major evolution, I think the potential in the long run is pretty exciting." 

Technology allowed companies to keep themselves afloat during the pandemic as staff worked from home. As the world moves forward, could finding the right balance between offices and remote work unlock the productivity boom that economists have been expecting for decades? 

You can subscribe on iTunes, Spotify and Amazon Music, or click the link here to listen in-browser and see more about the episode.

Episode Two

Anger, Resentment And Belonging

"I've had multiple managers say things like, you know what, my frontline employees are really angry, they're really angry." 

The ability of people to work remotely more often post-pandemic has the potential to hugely enhance diversity in the workplace. But if society gets it wrong, it could cause already stark income inequality between higher and lower earners to grow, and the dominance of White men at the top of the corporate ladder to become further entrenched.  

You can subscribe on iTunes, Spotify and Amazon Music, or click the link here to listen in-browser and see more about the episode.

Episode Three

Love, Rivalry And Terrible Bosses: The Irrational Side Of The Future Of Work

"​​So here's a dirty little secret that people don't like to talk about. Managers actually have no idea what their employees are actually doing or could do the jobs of their employees." 

The office isn't only about work — it's a place of friendship, rivalry, love, sex, self-discovery, triumph and failure. To truly understand the future of the office, that is something you have to grasp. The pandemic changed our relationship to our jobs, and in future, managers and companies have the chance to embrace a more humane way of working that can fundamentally alter the role work plays in our lives, whether it is being done at home or in the office. 

You can subscribe on iTunes, Spotify and Amazon Music, or click the link here to listen in-browser and see more about the episode.

Episode Four

Needless Construction And Architectural Arrogance: Climate Crisis And The Future Of Work

"​​Here’s a provocative idea that the real estate industry and corporate world should stop and ponder for a long minute. You never need to build a new office building again." 

Can working from home save the planet?  It is up in the air whether the average worker pumps out more carbon sat at home or commuting into the office. But if demand for offices does drop, the real estate sector and occupiers need to wean themselves off their addiction to new office construction, and start making the buildings we already have more energy efficient. 

You can subscribe on iTunes, Spotify and Amazon Music, or click the link here to listen in-browser and see more about the episode.

Episode Five

Cites Still Need Office Workers. Do Office Workers Still Need Cities?

"​​We are trying to just survive." 

For half a century big cities like London and New York had been 'escalators of opportunity' drawing ever-growing numbers of young workers with the promises of glamorous jobs and a glamorous life. The pandemic changed that. Now cities need to reinvent their economic model. 

You can subscribe on iTunes, Spotify and Amazon Music, or click the link here to listen in-browser and see more about the episode.

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