KQED's Forum
How Did the Pandemic Change Work for You?
Apr 21, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Aki Ito, Chief Correspondent at Business Insider, dives into workplace issues like burnout and hustle culture. Nicholas Bloom, Stanford economics professor, examines how the pandemic has reshaped our relationships with work, emphasizing changes in remote work dynamics. Joan Williams, a leader in work-life law, shares insights on evolving job roles and the impact on working parents. They explore the complexities of hybrid work, revealing personal stories of adaptation and the ongoing challenge of achieving work-life balance.
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Quick takeaways
- The pandemic prompted a fundamental reassessment of work, leading employees to prioritize personal fulfillment over traditional loyalty to employers.
- Remote work became a permanent feature, with many workers now favoring flexible hybrid models that accommodate both in-office and remote work.
Deep dives
Shifting Views on Work
Many individuals reassessed their relationship to work during the pandemic, leading to significant changes in workplace attitudes. The experience of job loss and the realization of mortality highlighted the fragility of loyalty to employers, prompting people to question the value of long hours spent at work. This shift was most evident among white-collar workers who experienced increased flexibility and autonomy, which changed how they view their jobs beyond mere tasks for a paycheck. Even as economic conditions fluctuate, the fundamental perspectives on work have continued to evolve, indicating that this reassessment is likely to have lasting effects.
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