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Greetings! I’m Emma Jacobs, a features writer at the Financial Times. I cover workplace and work-related topics, filling in for Isabel who’s currently on a well-deserved vacation. She’ll be back next week, along with the return of the “Office Therapy” segment.
Like many others this summer, I thoroughly enjoyed RF Kuang’s clever literary thriller, “Yellowface”, which revolves around the publishing industry. I have a soft spot for novels and TV dramas that explore workplace dynamics, whether it’s police procedurals like “Line of Duty” or crime networks such as “The Sopranos” and “The Wire”. If you have any recommendations in this genre, feel free to email me at [email protected].
Last week, the Work and Careers section of the FT featured a special series on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on work. I highly recommend checking it out if you haven’t already. The discussion surrounding AI’s effect on jobs has traditionally pitted “techno-pessimists” against “techno-optimists”. The former believe AI will lead to devastating unemployment, while the latter see it as a tool that liberates humans from mundane tasks and allows them to focus on creative work.
However, the truth likely lies somewhere between these two extremes. I was particularly struck by the argument for AI realism presented by Jim VandeHei, the CEO of media company Axios. He advises against buying into utopian visions of AI, put forth by individuals like Reid Hoffman and Sam Altman, who intentionally emphasize the positive aspects. VandeHei also warns against excessive pessimism, which blinds us to the potential for using AI for good.
When it comes to my own perspective on AI, I lean towards realism, especially in the present context. Whenever I hear someone claim that AI will spur a wave of creativity, I can’t help but roll my eyes. How much creativity actually takes place in white-collar jobs? In an article I wrote about creativity during the pandemic, André Spicer, a professor at Bayes Business School, astutely pointed out that creativity has often been used as a way to make boring jobs seem interesting to educated knowledge workers. Tech companies have even adopted playful office features like table football and indoor slides to perpetuate this image.
While there certainly are instances of innovation in white-collar work, we must also maintain a clear-eyed perspective on the current state of affairs if we want to envision a realistic future.
Now, let’s dive into the top stories from the world of work:
1. Ageing executives should step aside: The CEO of the largest university endowment in the US believes that ageing executives should retire to make way for younger employees. Britt Harris, who will be stepping down from his role at the University of Texas and Texas A&M endowment system, argues that without this generational shift, younger professionals won’t have the opportunity to secure senior positions before they reach old age.
2. Pride month and coming out at work: For LGBT+ employees, coming out in the workplace can be a challenging process, and the support of senior management is crucial. In honor of Pride month, the FT shares the stories of top business executives who have personally experienced this journey.
3. TMI oversharing in the office: With the onset of aging parents, personal health issues, and complicated relationships, professional masks often slip for middle-aged workers, especially post-pandemic. This situation is unsustainable, and writer Miranda Green explores this issue in depth.
4. Recommended summer reads for finance enthusiasts: Financial journalist Moira O’Neill presents a list of the best new books to help you take control of your money. Additionally, Viv Groskop’s latest book, “Happy High Status: How to Be Effortlessly Confident,” is a must-read.
5. The return of in-office doctors: In the 1980s, US companies began hiring doctors in response to rising healthcare costs and health scandals. There are signs that the UK may be following a similar trend.
In this week’s episode of the Working It podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Davina McCall about mid-life issues and her successful TV career. Davina has played a transformative role in changing the narrative and public discussion surrounding menopause. We delve into these topics and emphasize the importance of maintaining enthusiasm in whatever professional path you choose.
On a final note, we’ve received numerous emails following our recent newsletter on how to best approach hybrid work models. Deloitte, in particular, reached out to share their flexible approach, which allows employees the freedom to choose where they can work most effectively for clients. They’ve prioritized team collaboration, learning, personal development, and employee well-being in determining when to work from the office, client sites, or home.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement with the Working It community.
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