Working It

Most people think of loyalty as a good thing, but in a professional context, being too devoted to an employer can have damaging consequences. Disengaged workers who don’t leave their jobs will hardly make the best ambassadors for a company; longstanding employees might run out of fresh ideas; and some research shows loyal employees are less likely to cover up wrongdoing at their firms. Isabel Berwick speaks to Jeremie Brecheisen, Gallup’s managing partner for the Emea region, about the company’s annual ‘State of the Workplace’ report, which showed more than half of employees worldwide are looking to change jobs. Isabel also speaks to FT management editor Anjli Raval, about the downsides of workplace loyalty.Want more? Free links:Why staff loyalty is not always a good thingToo much loyalty does neither the company nor the employee much goodPresented by Isabel Berwick, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, mixed by Simon Panayi. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Introducing Money Clinic’s Five Minute Investor, a miniseries hosted by Claer Barrett, the FT’s consumer editor. In each episode, Claer challenges top financial commentators to break down financial jargon in just five minutes, making you a smarter, and hopefully richer, investor. Tune in every Tuesday, and subscribe to Money Clinic wherever you get your podcasts. If you would like Claer to demystify an investment term, email the team at money@ft.com or send Claer a DM on social media — she’s @ClaerB on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tens of thousands of workers have been made redundant already this year – but some are refusing to go quietly. Younger employees are posting videos of their layoffs (or of the moment they quit their jobs) on TikTok and Instagram, publicising an intimate moment that usually stays hidden. Why are they doing it? And how can managers protect themselves from the fallout of those videos? Isabel Berwick speaks to ‘Quit-Toker’ Gabby Ianniello, outplacement consultant Rhiannon Rowley and FT journalist Josh Gabert-Doyon to find out.Want more? Free links:Quit-Tok: why young workers are refusing to leave their job quietlyIn defence of the Gen Z challenge to the ‘work ethic’Stop moaning about Gen Z grads — they might teach us somethingPresented by Isabel Berwick, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, mixed by Simon Panayi. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, millions of workers got used to working at home. Some moved hundreds of miles from the cities where their companies were based to live a cheaper and less stressful life. But now that in-office work is back, a rising number of people are looking to eat their cake and have it, too, combining good jobs in urban centres with a peaceful rural life. To make that work, they have to ‘supercommute’, travelling for hours on end to get to the office. But why do they do it? Isabel speaks to Mo Marikar, who commutes from North Wales to London, and Max Dawes, who takes a ferry, bus, train and metro from the Isle of Wight to London – a four-hour commute. She also talks to FT journalists Emma Jacobs and Andrew Hill to find out how the commute has changed since the pandemic.Want more? Free links:The rise of the super-commuterCommuting is back — but not as we knew itWhat commuters get up to when they no longer commuteRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US aircraft maker Boeing has faced major scrutiny over its safety standards in recent years, after accidents – some catastrophic – involving its jets. But even after fatal incidents, and the recent mid-flight blowout of a door panel on one of its planes, its employees are reluctant to speak out about safety issues, according to a report released in February by the Federal Aviation Administration. How can managers and leaders better encourage employees to speak up when they notice a problem? What can they do to make sure those who raise issues will be lauded, not criticised? And is it really worth employees’ while to take the risk of dissenting? Isabel Berwick speaks to FT contributing editor and executive coach Michael Skapinker, as well as Margaret Heffernan, a former chief executive of various companies and author of books including Wilful Blindness, about why people are reluctant to raise concerns, even when they know they should.Want more? Free links:The perils of speaking up at work too often deter staff from voicing concernsUS aviation regulator launches formal probe into Boeing’s mid-air blowoutThe whistleblowing lessons from the CBI scandalJapan needs stronger whistleblower protectionsFT subscriber? Sign up to get Isabel’s free Working It newsletter in your inbox every Wednesday: ft.com/newslettersPresented by Isabel Berwick, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, mixed by Simon Panayi. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The higher up you go in most careers, the more likely it is you’ll become a manager. But plenty of workers want to keep doing what they’re best at, and not get involved in the messy admin and politics of overseeing other people. Martin Wolf is a leading economics commentator at the FT. He hasn’t formally managed anyone in 35 years – and doesn't’ regret it. What can we learn from Martin’s success?Producer Mischa Frankl-Duval speaks to Martin to hear his story. Later, host Isabel Berwick chats to Karl Edge, KPMG UK’s Chief People Officer, to find out how career progression works at the company.Want more? Free links:Why being a manager matters more than everStop making fun of managersThe UK’s productivity problem: the curse of the ‘accidental managerPresented by Isabel Berwick, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, mixed by Simon Panayi. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The pandemic showed us we could all work in different places; can we all work at different times, too? That idea – known as ‘asynchronous’ work – has gained traction at a number of companies. Workers march to the beat of their own drum, and only occasionally speak to their scattered colleagues in real time. That gives them greater flexibility; but does it make collaboration harder? How can a manager get a handle on their team’s work if they’re several time zones away? And how can colleagues be expected to bond, or trust each other, without spending real time together? Guest host Mischa Frankl-Duval speaks to Scott Farquhar, CEO of software group Atlassian, whose employees work from 13 countries; and Jen Rhymer, an assistant professor at the UCL School of Management, to find out how companies make asynchronous work… work.Want more? Free links:We are not ready for the asynchronous futureLetter: Some offices are not suited to ‘asynchronous’ workingHow to make sure the remote workforce is a winning teamPresented and produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, mixed by Simon Panayi. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most of us are hired because of our “hard” skills. But the more senior we get, the more important soft skills become; none more so than how we communicate with people. Isabel Berwick speaks to Charles Duhigg about how the world’s best communicators (or “super communicators”) listen, experiment and ask questions to get into sync with people. Later, Isabel speaks to Ruth Girardet, an executive coach and moderator at the Aspen Institute, for some practical tips on how to listen to employees – and when to stop.Want more? Free links:Listen and you might learn somethingThe quiet art of being a good listenerHow to communicate better at workPresented by Isabel Berwick, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, mixed by Simon Panayi and Breen Turner. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Crafting a CV (or résumé) can be extremely tedious; wading through CVs as a hiring manager can be just as boring. So why are they still the default method for filtering job candidates? Can we do better? And might alternative hiring methods help managers choose more suitable candidates – rather than ones who just look good on paper? Isabel Berwick speaks to Jess Woodward-Jones, co-founder of talent-tech company Vizzy, who explains where she feels the CV falls short. Later, Isabel speaks to Jonathan Black, director of the Oxford University careers service, who tells her that the CV isn’t going anywhere just yet…Want more? Free links:AI in recruitment: the death knell of the CV?How to write a tailored CVLinkedIn: the end of CVs as we know them?Presented by Isabel Berwick, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, mixed by Simon Panayi. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Office politics isn’t something we choose to do – it’s an inescapable part of working life. Our workplace rituals, friendships and the alliances we forge play a big part in how our careers pan out; so how can we make sure we’re doing them right? Can we ever get ahead without our colleagues hating us? And why does it matter if we’re late for meetings? Isabel Berwick is joined by John Curran, CEO and founder of organisational development consultancy JC & Associates, and FT deputy opinion editor, Miranda Green, to find out.Want more? Free links:Office politics is not optional: learn to play the game or you’ll be its victimThe fraught politics of the office whiproundHow can I be more political and still be myself?Presented by Isabel Berwick, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, mixed by Simon Panayi. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’ve ever helped a colleague out just so they’d like you, or overburdened yourself to make your boss’s life easier, you may think of yourself as a good team player. But you might actually be a people-pleaser. Host Isabel Berwick speaks to NYU psychology professor Tessa West, who explains why people-pleasing rarely works in the long term. Later, Isabel talks to Christine Braamskamp, London-based managing partner of law firm Jenner & Block, who explains that a little people-pleasing is sometimes necessary – especially in a newer working relationship.Want more? Free links:Just say no if working while femaleAnxiety: the office fear factorPresented by Isabel Berwick, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, mixed by Jake Fielding. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audioRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Few things at work are more frustrating than tedious bureaucracy – and few things make employees happier than when their managers get rid of it. Isabel Berwick speaks to Huggy Rao, professor of organisational behaviour at Stanford, and co-author of 'The Friction Project,' to find out how managers can become 'shit-fixers’, clearing unnecessary obstacles from the path of their teams, while making sure they don’t go too fast for their own good. Later, Isabel speaks to FT senior business writer Andrew Hill to learn what the consequences can be when managers introduce too few checks and balances – and why generative AI might actually make bureaucracy worse.Want more? Free links:‘I work in a frustration factory’: how to make workplaces run betterLetter: Frictions and frustrations of modern office workingPresented by Isabel Berwick, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, mixed by Simon Panayi. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hybrid working is an entrenched part of most office workers’ lives – but at some companies, that could be changing. Major firms including Bank of America and UPS are taking tougher stances on working from home. Will workers drag their feet in returning to the office? And if so, how can companies convince them to come back? Kevin Ellis, the UK head of PwC, tells guest host Andrew Hill why he encourages younger workers to come to work. Later, the FT’s global business columnist, Rana Foroohar, speaks to Jeremy Myerson and Phillip Ross – authors of the book ‘Unworking,’ about how better tech could win remote workers over.Want more? Free links:Bank of America warns return-to-office laggards with ‘letters of education’UPS to cut 12,000 jobs as revenue outlook falls short on weak parcel demand The home-working revolution is harming younger workersEmployers and staff seek truce on office working Presented by Isabel Berwick, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, mixed by Simon Panayi. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dealing with the grief of a bereavement at work can be extremely difficult, both for the person suffering a loss, and for those around them. So how can you make life a little easier for grieving colleagues? How can you best support them while respecting their privacy? And how can you ensure bereavement-related absences don’t make life harder for other colleagues? Isabel Berwick speaks to Andy Langford, clinical director of bereavement charity Cruse for some practical tips on dealing with workplace grief. Later, she talks to Gabriella Braun, director of workplace consultancy Working Well. Gabriella explains that grief goes beyond death; we can feel grief in any number of workplace scenarios.Credits: https://www.cruse.org.uk/understanding-grief/Want more? Free links:Workers and bosses opt for Christmas payments over partiesThe office grinch may have a point — it’s not fun if it’s forcedPresented by Isabel Berwick, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, mixed by Simon Panayi. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Four years after the Covid-19 pandemic, remote work isn’t going away. But some managers are still unconvinced that workers actually do anything when they’re not in the office. Should those managers have a right to monitor their workers’ computers? And if workers are being snooped on, should they fight back? Isabel Berwick speaks to Liam Martin, co-founder of employee monitoring software company Time Doctor. She also speaks to Diana Rodriguez from Tech8 USA, a company that manufactures “mouse-jigglers” that keeps computers active when their users aren’t at their desks. Should managers be allowed to snoop on workers? Tell us here: https://telbee.io/channel/ygf7_gly04xgtckcb0g56a/ or email isabel.berwick@ft.comWant more? Free links:Workplace surveillance may hurt us more than it helpsSpooks in your machine: rise in WFH monitoring drives dissentSurveillance risks ‘spinning out of control’, warns UK workers’ unionRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

January is peak hiring season, as workers reconsider their jobs and managers look to bring in fresh talent. But before you advertise a job to the big, wide world, ask yourself: could somebody already on staff move into this role? In this episode, host Isabel Berwick speaks to global HR expert Josh Bersin, who explains why companies such as Microsoft and Unilever emphasise internal development, and the benefits it can bring for employers and employees alike. Isabel also speaks to the FT’s deputy work and careers editor Bethan Staton about how workers can prime themselves to get that big internal promotion.Want more? Free links:Why staff loyalty is not always a good thingUK recruiters register sharp rise in jobseekers as employers cut backCredits:Presented by Isabel Berwick, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, mixed by Simon Panayi. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a new working year, and you've got lofty ideas about doing more of... everything! But how can you actually achieve more of the stuff that matters to you? Isabel speaks to Ali Abdaal, a former doctor and one of the world's most-followed productivity experts, to hear about the role joy can play in working better. Later, Marc Zao-Sanders discusses timeboxing – a pragmatic way to focus on important tasks.Want more? Free links:When it comes to productivity hacks, are you an Arnie or an Elon?Ditch the bullet journal and stay in bed as long as you likeIt is your own fault if you get hooked on technologyPresented by Isabel Berwick, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, mixed by Simon Panayi. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all want to achieve more – and produce better work – without spending more time at our desk. Isabel Berwick asks senior FT columnist Tim Harford how best to tackle the problem of productivity. Tim shares some of his top tips for avoiding distraction and creating a state of “flow” at work. Plus, could AI come to the rescue? Originally broadcast June 2023.Want more? Free links:UK productivity growth driven by minority of high-performing companiesBritain needs a way out of economic stagnationWhy productivity is so weak at UK companiesCredits:Presented by Isabel Berwick, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2023 was the year companies started experimenting with generative AI; 2024 is the year it might start triggering real changes in the workplace. Between technological ructions, a US election and a seesaw shift in employee-employer power, next year will be another year of flux in workplaces across the world. Host Isabel Berwick speaks to Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, the FT’s US news editor, and Andrew Hill, its senior business writer, to find out more.Want more? Free links:High-flying City workers set to be most affected by AI, finds UK study Politics in the workplace: how should we deal with opposing views?Hybrid working boosts number of UK women in full-time jobs, study findsUK wage growth eases in sign of softening labour marketPresented by Isabel Berwick, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, mixed by Simon Panayi. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Retirement used to be a cliff edge; you’d be working one week, and gardening the next. That’s changing. Now, retirement can mean working on the things you enjoy at a slower pace, and staying engaged with new ideas. Isabel Berwick speaks to author, columnist and Harvard Professor Arthur C. Brooks on the science of flourishing in later life, and what older brains can do that younger ones can’t. Later, she talks to former FT journalist Michael Skapinker about the importance of staying engaged with old colleagues and new ideas – even if you’re not doing the same thing every day.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.