The Office Reset

In the second episode of a two-part series, I chat with space lawyer Jonathan Lim and research director AJ Link about protecting human rights in space and that famous Skylab 4 strike. 

In this episode, I chat with space lawyer Michelle L.D. Hanlon, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Space Law and president of the National Space Society about what laws that will govern humans on Mars and what it will take for humans to work successfully in space. We also wonder — how will Elon Musk govern Mars if he reaches it first?

Screenshots, keypad tracking, automated warnings...workplace surveillance is rising in popularity. But what does this mean for employee wellbeing and is there a middle ground? My guests are Lewis Maltby, president and founder of the National Workrights Institute and David Tomczak, I-O psychology doctoral candidate at The George Washington University.

Remote work has been beneficial for many employees, allowing greater flexibility and no morning rush hour commute. But what if you are still at the beginning of your career?

Rowena Hennigan, a remote work expert, says it is totally possible for young professionals to advance their career through remote working. In this episode, she explains the importance of self-awareness and starting early. 

Since Covid-19, we've been mostly left to our own devices in calculating the risks of everyday life. But some of these decisions have led to public outcry and shaming. 

In this episode we examine how good we are at assessing risk. My guest is Tess Wilkinson-Ryan, professor of law and psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.  

Deb Perelman's New York Times piece, In the Covid-19 Economy, You Can Have a Kid or a Job. You Can’t Have Both. struck a chord with parents everywhere. She wrote: "Every single person confesses burnout, despair, feeling like they are losing their minds, knowing in their guts that this is untenable." 

In this episode, I catch up with my childhood friend, Sheila Joy, about the challenges she's faced parenting her 7-year old son Micah during lockdown.  From juggling three different jobs - mother, teacher and employee - to Micah gatecrashing her meetings, Sheila shares how she's coped. She also talks about her joy of discovering an aspect of Micah's personality and what she misses most about being in the office.  

Please send any feedback here: theofficereset@gmail.com

The lockdown has affected each of us differently - depending on which stage of our lives we are in. With businesses trying to survive and jobs on the line; maintaining our mental health seems more important than ever. But how can managers effectively lead, while juggling all this? 

In the first part of the show, I speak with Dr Jo Yarker, organisational psychologist and director of Affinity Health at Work, about the importance of managing the individual within the team and why maintaining good habits is essential in order to lead.  

In the second part, Lee Chambers, environmental psychologist, wellbeing trainer and founder of Essentialise, talks about his own redundancy experience in the 2008 economic crash, how he bounced back after losing his ability to walk, and how he is advising his clients on supporting furloughed and non-furloughed employees. With discussions unfolding about returning to the office, Lee says proactive communication by employers will be key. 

Before the pandemic, being physically present in the office was seen as a huge advantage in the workplace. Now, technology has been filling in for those crucial face times - but will it end up reducing our presence in the long-term?  

My guest Drew Austin, writer and technologist in New York, has a background in technology and urban planning and often explores the intersection of physical and digital spaces in his Kneeling Bus newsletter.  

In this episode, we discuss what some of these technological limitations might mean for our future interactions in the workplace, how technology might impact our future office status, who is likely to thrive remotely, and the potential shift in power dynamic between employers and employees.   I would love to have your feedback! 

Please write to: theofficereset@gmail.com