Future of Work Hub Podcast Series

Future of Work Hub

Welcome to the Future of Work Hub’s In Conversation podcast. In this podcast series, Lucy Lewis will be hosting exclusive discussions with innovators, business leaders and thought leaders, to explore their perspective on the changing world of work. The global pandemic has accelerated longer term societal, economic, and technological trends, giving us a unique opportunity, a once in a generation challenge to rethink who, how, what and where we work.

  1. In Conversation… with Professor Alan Felstead

    SEP 23

    In Conversation… with Professor Alan Felstead

    In this episode of the Future of Work Hub’s In Conversation podcast, Lucy Lewis is joined by Professor Alan Felstead, Emeritus Professor at Cardiff University and a leading expert on work, skills and employment. Alan shares insights from the landmark Skills and Employment Survey 2024, exploring how the world of work in the UK is evolving, what workers value, and the challenges and opportunities facing employers and policymakers. Key takeaways 1. Make fair work your business advantage: When employers treat workers as valued assets, fostering respect, autonomy and development, it strengthens wellbeing, drives business improvement, and sets the foundation for lasting organisational success. Regularly survey staff to track how job quality is changing over time and identify areas for improvement. 2. Foster meaningful work by investing in line manager capabilities: Research shows that the majority of workers find their jobs meaningful, with managerial support, skill utilisation and participation at work playing a greater role than pay in driving a sense of purpose. Organisations should train managers to provide timely guidance, deliver constructive feedback, and show empathy - particularly when supporting younger employees and new joiners. 3. Prioritise genuine employee participation: Employee control over job tasks has sharply declined, negatively impacting wellbeing and productivity. Employers should regularly measure and monitor employee task discretion across their organisation and hold managers accountable for progress. 4. Promote equality in flexible working: Offering a range of solutions, such as flexi-time, compressed hours, and part-time roles, helps to ensure all employees, including those whose jobs cannot be done remotely or who lack dedicated home workspaces, can access the benefits of flexible working.  For more discussion of the themes explored in this podcast, see the Hub's latest report "Strategic workforce priorities - What matters most?".

    31 min
  2. In Conversation with... Till Leopold

    JUN 4

    In Conversation with... Till Leopold

    In this episode of the Future of Work Hub’s In Conversation podcast, Lucy Lewis speaks with Till Leopold, Head of Work Wages and Job Creation, at the World Economic Forum's Centre for the New Economy and Society. Till shares key insights from the latest Future of Jobs report examining the five major trends that are expected to transform the world of work by 2030. They discuss the nuanced impact of these trends on job creation and displacement and how employers can develop proactive strategies for skills adaptation and reskilling.  Key takeaways  1. Technological change, geoeconomic fragmentation, economic uncertainty, demographic shifts and the green transition are the major drivers of net job creation as well as displacement. Look beyond the headline numbers to consider the quality of jobs being created and focus on creating "good work" to ensure sustainable growth.  2.Be proactive in addressing long-term trends including demographic shifts and climate change mitigation alongside immediate challenges. By embedding these considerations into strategic planning now, businesses can position themselves to benefit from future workforce changes and achieve more positive outcomes.  3.Adopt a balanced approach to skills development. 40% of skills across all roles will change over the next five years but there will be a convergence of two types of skills: technological proficiency and human-centric skills. Foster both skillsets through targeted training and ongoing learning opportunities to equip workers for the skills transition and address skills gaps.  4.Build trust through meaningful engagement and communication. Reskilling is a crucial component for building trust and employers should take a holistic approach to how they communicate in relation to this, consistently explaining why it matters and giving workers agency to shape new initiatives.

    32 min
  3. In Conversation with… Dr Grace Lordan

    APR 2

    In Conversation with… Dr Grace Lordan

    Creating inclusive workplaces: diversity, ageing populations, and socioeconomic equity In this episode of the Future of Work Hub’s In Conversation podcast, Lucy Lewis speaks with Dr. Grace Lordan, Founding Director of the Inclusion Initiative.  Lucy and Grace discuss whether DE&I is good for business and why, amidst political shifts, employers are reframing their efforts to focus more broadly on respect and inclusion.  Key takeaways  Diversity is good for business: there is a business case for diversity. Research suggests that having a more diverse workforce does not negatively impact businesses and is likely to generate positive outcomes in the medium to long term. Diversity doesn't work without inclusion: inclusion is vital to harness the potential of a diverse workforce. Businesses should review whether their current DEI initiatives are working and focus on building inclusive organisations so that diverse perspectives are heard, respected and considered. Address the impact of ageing populations: businesses often struggle to visualise the impact of longer-term trends such as ageing populations on their workforce. A lack of diffusion of knowledge across generations in the workplace is a significant blocker of productivity, so managers must pay attention to who is visible, being listened to, and given opportunities within their organisation.  Focus on socioeconomic inclusion: employers can give opportunities to individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds by lifting financial barriers and offering opportunities to train later in life. However, managers must ensure fair distribution of opportunities and advocate for individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to prevent organisational culture from limiting their voices and prospects.

    25 min

About

Welcome to the Future of Work Hub’s In Conversation podcast. In this podcast series, Lucy Lewis will be hosting exclusive discussions with innovators, business leaders and thought leaders, to explore their perspective on the changing world of work. The global pandemic has accelerated longer term societal, economic, and technological trends, giving us a unique opportunity, a once in a generation challenge to rethink who, how, what and where we work.