Work Week

Upwork
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Welcome to Work Week, where we dig into the latest and greatest questions about the world of work — backed by equal parts hard data and fresh perspective. Tune in each week(ish) to find out what the latest emerging research tells us about how to make work, work better. Hosted by Gabby Burlacu and Ted Liu from the Upwork Research Institute (and their AI proxies.)

  1. 17.12.2025

    Which Hiring Reports Can Inform Strategic Workforce Planning in 2026?

    Which hiring reports can help you build a comprehensive, data-driven work strategy in 2026? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu of The Upwork Research Institute breaks down the key labor market data sources that leaders and professionals alike should be paying attention to — and why relying on only one report isn't enough. The episode explores what traditional reports like the BLS Jobs Report, the JOLTS, and the ADP National Employment Report can tell you — and what they miss. Also learn about a crucial but often overlooked piece of the labor market puzzle: freelancers, who represent 28% of skilled knowledge workers. Whether you're designing your team structure or future-proofing your skill set, this episode offers a practical cheat sheet for making data-informed decisions in 2026.

    13 мин.

  2. 10.12.2025

    What's the Impact of a Low Hire, Low Fire Job Market?

    How do organizations and workers stay agile in a low hire, low fire job market? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu of The Upwork Research Institute explores what it means to lead and grow in an economy in which hiring is slow, layoffs are limited, and movement across the labor market is stalled. While the job market feels frozen, the demands on both businesses and workers continue to accelerate. This episode breaks down the latest labor market data and offers key strategies to stay agile in the midst of uncertainty — from investing in skills and adopting emerging technologies to rethinking engagement and building long-term relationships with freelancers. Whether you're navigating this economy as a decision-maker, an employee, or a freelancer, this episode offers practical guidance to help you build momentum — even when the market is standing still.

    9 мин.

  3. 03.12.2025

    How Can Leaders Build Workplaces Where Women Stay and Thrive?

    Why are experienced women leaving the workforce in record numbers — and what can leaders do to change course? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu of The Upwork Research Institute digs into the data behind an uptick in women exiting the workplace. Turnover among women isn't about balancing caregiving or other personal priorities, but is rather about outdated systems, stalled promotions, and inflexible work models that push workers out rather than helping them advance. Explore how slow advancement, pay inequity, and return-to-office mandates disproportionately impact women — and why this isn't simply a retention issue, but a serious business risk. Also learn key shifts leaders can make right now to build workplaces where women stay and thrive.

    10 мин.

  4. 26.11.2025

    Why Do Fewer Than Half of U.S. Workers Hold Quality Jobs?

    Why do fewer than half of U.S. workers hold what research defines as a quality job? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu of The Upwork Research Institute explores data from Gallup's American Job Quality Study 2025, revealing the five components that define job quality — and how most roles fall short. Learn how leadership decisions around pay, scheduling, advancement, and employee voice shape the experience of work. Also discover how skilled freelancers are creating higher quality jobs for themselves through greater autonomy, flexibility, and skill development. Whether you're an executive, manager, or team lead, this episode features actionable ideas to help workers on your team thrive — and increase productivity and innovation at your organization as a result.

    11 мин.

  5. 19.11.2025

    Are Managers Still Needed in the Age of AI?

    How are manager roles changing amid increased AI adoption? With AI tools taking over more operational tasks, some leaders are questioning whether managers are still relevant. But new research from the University of Chicago's Becker Friedman Institute and Glassdoor tells a different story. In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu, Senior Manager at The Upwork Research Institute, discusses the long-term value great managers bring. Effective managers support improved talent matching, internal mobility, salary outcomes, and employee engagement. You'll learn why managers are more than coordinators — they're architects of worker potential. Whether you're a leader rethinking team structure or an individual contributor seeking growth, gain actionable insights to maximize your potential.

    10 мин.

  6. 12.11.2025

    Can AI Help Organizations Escape Meeting Overload?

    Workers today are more digitally connected than ever — and yet many feel like they have less time to do meaningful work. In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu explores how organizations can use AI to escape meeting overload and reclaim focus time. Drawing on data from Microsoft's latest Work Trend Index, we unpack how real-time interruptions, ad hoc meetings, and fragmented communication are consuming the most critical hours of the work day. But there's a new way forward — one in which AI has the potential to become a valuable focus tool. Learn practical strategies to use AI to filter messages, automate routine tasks, and coordinate team time more intelligently — without replacing the personal connections that matter most.

    10 мин.

  7. 05.11.2025

    Will AI Lead to a Shorter Work Week or Longer Hours?

    Can AI finally deliver on the long-anticipated promise of a shorter work week — or is it quietly pushing organizations toward longer hours and higher expectations? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu of The Upwork Research Institute breaks down what the latest data reveals about AI's impact on productivity, burnout, and how work is structured. Hear why some leaders believe a four-day work week is within reach, why many workers feel more pressure than ever, and how freelancers are showing what's possible when AI is used intentionally. Also learn about how AI can sometimes contribute to longer working hours, the risks of always-on technology, and what leaders can do right now to support more sustainable work models.

    10 мин.

  8. 29.10.2025

    How Can SMBs Scale Without Growing Headcount?

    Can a business grow without adding more full-time employees? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu of The Upwork Research Institute explores why headcount is no longer the most reliable signal of success. Instead, small and medium-sized businesses are scaling through AI, experienced freelancers with AI skills, and flexible operating models. Drawing from the latest Upwork research, industry data, and a real-world small business success story, this episode offers data-backed insights and practical takeaways for leaders rethinking what growth can look like.

    13 мин.
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Welcome to Work Week, where we dig into the latest and greatest questions about the world of work — backed by equal parts hard data and fresh perspective. Tune in each week(ish) to find out what the latest emerging research tells us about how to make work, work better. Hosted by Gabby Burlacu and Ted Liu from the Upwork Research Institute (and their AI proxies.)

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  • Автор
    Upwork
  • Годы выхода
    2 тыс.
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    41
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    Без ненормативной лексики
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    © 2025
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    Work Week