The Algorithm Age

Let me be clear about something: the idea that you need to work 12-hour days to get ahead in your career is absolute bullsh*t. And I should know, because I spent the first few years of my career doing exactly that. I used to constantly talk about how "busy" I was, answering emails at 9pm, and genuinely believing that my worth as an employee was directly tied to how many hours my laptop was open. Then I realised being busy doesn't mean being productive. And being productive doesn't require sacrificing your entire life just to do your job. Years later, I'd still very much describe myself as an ambitious, career-driven person, but I also religiously clock off at 4pm on Fridays (don't tell my manager). I take my lunch breaks. I don't check emails after hours unless something is literally on fire (it never is). And in doing so, my career has never been in better shape. The secret isn't working more hours — it's working smarter. And that...

Across the country, employee engagement is at all-time lows as people deal with labor market, socioeconomic and geopolitical instability. During this time, managers have been tasked with keeping people happy while balancing executive interests in productivity, office attendance and avoiding corporate activism. In the field of management consulting, where client demands and working hours can be grueling, companies like EY, PwC and Accenture are addressing these challenges by boosting their support for employees' well-being. All three firms were named to 's America's Greatest Workplaces list earlier this month. "Well-being is unique to every person. That's why, at EY, we take a holistic approach—prioritizing physical, mental, financial and social wellness," Kim McConnell, director of EY Assist, told via email, adding that personalized benefits plus focus on team building and measuring progress are keys to the company's strategy. Bur...

In 2025, we're constantly told, artificial intelligence is bringing about a workplace revolution. Countless billionaires have waxed poetic about the " coming recession " and " unemployment crisis " that their hyped up AI chatbots are sure to bring. Bernie Sanders, the progressive senator from Vermont, has been listening. Calling the US tech industry on its AI hype — which mostly involves generating shareholder value — Sanders recently posed a rhetorical question on the Joe Rogan podcast : if AI is as powerful as they say, why not give workers a 30-hour week? "Technology is gonna work to improve us, not just the people who own the technology and the CEOs of large corporations," Sanders said. "You are a worker, your productivity is increasing because we give you AI, right? Instead of throwing you out on the street, I’m gonna reduce your work week to 32 hours." "That means, give you more time with your family, with...