The New Way We Work

This past June, after the world saw the horrific video of George Floyd being killed, millions took to the streets to protest the continued systemic oppression of Black Americans. This tragedy--and the activism that followed--made individuals examine their own complicity, families have tough conversations and workplaces reckon with their own culture, policies and approach to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.For a lot of companies this, sadly, may be the first time they are thinking about how equitable their office is...or, at the very least, that they haven’t done nearly enough. For many people of color, navigating work life is a minefield of microaggressions and ignorance. This is certainly the case for Shantelle. Shantelle is a Black woman who started her career in finance, but changed career paths about 10 years ago and began working in Marketing. This is her story.

Fast Company has been writing about how to beat distractions and find more focus at work for years, but right now all of the normal advice feels less practical. Between the stress and worry that has accompanied the pandemic and economic crisis--coupled with the tumultuous presidential election--staying focused can feel impossible.On today's episode, Kate Davis talks to Dr. Art Markman about how to manage stress and focus when it's all just too much.

On this week's Productivity Dispatch, we hear from Pedro who spent Election Day working at a polling place in his neighborhood.

Dorianne St. Fleur joins Kate Davis to discuss microaggressions in the work place, how to be an ally and DARVO. Dorianne is a Racial Equity Strategist and Leadership Coach who specializes in helping organizations build anti-racist workplaces.

Liz Neitge is an actor and bartender from New York City. When the pandemic hit in March, both her industries shut down over night. As restaurants began to re-open this summer, Liz attempted to re-enter the work force, but the risks gave her pause. This is her story.

Fast Company staff writer, Pavithra Mohan, joins host Kate Davis to discuss her reporting on individuals experiencing long term, lingering effects of COVID-19 and how they are fighting for understanding from employers.

The coronavirus pandemic has forever changed the world and the way we work. Right now, millions of American workers across every industry are on the front lines of figuring out this new normal. To highlight the stories of everyday people, Secrets of the Most Productive People is launching its new series, Productivity Dispatch: Stories From the New Way We Work. Our first story is from Jeanne, an emergency manager from New York.

Find our 2020 listener survey at fastcompany.com/mostproductivesurvey and submit your responses by October 9th for a chance to win a $50 gift card.

In this last episode in Secrets of the Most Productive Peoples “Reinventing Education” mini series, where we take a look at how school nurses are preparing for school reopening as well as what epidemiologists are thinking about how to emerge from this crisis.

In today’s episode we are take a look at the possible solutions to the child care crisis. Host Kate Davis is joined by Staff Writer Pavithra Mohan to discuss what businesses are doing to support working parents. Then, Kate talks to Lauren Hogan, Managing Director at the National Association for the Education of Young Children, to explore ideas of what bigger institutional changes can be made on a public policy level.