Future of Work Roundup: May 20th

This week’s Future of Work Roundup focuses on the modern workplace, like the new roles we’re seeing in the C-suite, why it’s suddenly novel to go into an office, and the ethics of workplace surveillance.

Has anyone checked in on their CHO?

AKA, their Chief Happiness Officer. Ever heard of it? The role (party planner meets human-resources manager) has grown 65% in the past two years, in part to boost morale – and keep employees around – during our trying pandemic times.

So it’s not all fun and games?

• Being the compassionate ear for venting, taking the brunt of responsibility for turnover, and coming up with creative mood-boosting activities are just part of the reasons why the CHO role can be particularly exhausting.

The bottom line: The past two years have changed the landscape of work, from how we do it to the roles we’re filling. Regardless, we need to show empathy and compassion for everyone at work, from the interns up to the C-suite.

Source: Wall Street Journal

The novelty of working in an office is drawing people back in.

The feeling of being a full-on person in the world – picking out an outfit, planning your commute, engaging in elevator small talk – is giving people a much-needed boost of serotonin. 

How exciting; to go out into public and engage with people.

• Yeah, it’s pretty amusing, isn’t it? But office workers are, perhaps, nostalgic for the past – and the nuanced specifics of working in an office (the things that may have been annoying) are now cutesy moments to relish in.

The bottom line: We know all too well how monotonous it feels to be home all day, every day, so it’s okay to let yourself embrace the little joys that can happen outside of the home.

Source: Wall Street Journal

TBH, Big Brother has never stopped watching.

Whether you’re sitting across from your boss in-office or you’re at home on a company laptop, the reality is that your IT team could be checking in at any time. The question is: are they?

I would really love to know.

• Because it’s a double-edged sword. On the one hand, of course companies want to make sure you aren’t goofing off on company time and, in-office, CCTVs keep people and equipment safe.
• But, on the other hand, ya know, privacy. Things like tracking employees’ social media or spying via webcam are huge ethical no-nos, not to mention dehumanizing.

The bottom line: It starts with trust – as in, trust that your employees are getting their work done, even if they take an Instagram break here or are having a laugh with a co-worker there.

Source: The Economist