The working future

摘要

Welcome to our modern life audit, with a shiny new design to boot. It's worth pondering whether everything about the modern business world works better for managers than it once did. And, as CMI Companion Professor Sir Cary Cooper asked me, will it still work in times to come? As I contemplated the question, I realised the modern workplace is transformed by technology like never before and we are starting to catch up with the possibilities - and challenges - this creates. Here are my top three: 1. The 24-hour hot desk: Technology gives us freedom of movement and freedom from time. Sometimes that means added stress. Many managers are too familiar with the boss who demands we wake up to our emails - so we need to assert our right to switch off (see feature, page 46). At its best though, the 24-hour hot desk means flexible working, and the evidence says it's a real positive for everyone. Take advantage of it.