It's the word of the year in Japan with a literal take on the Rihanna song "Work". Japan's first female prime minister Takaichi Sanae announced she would "abandon the idea of a work-life balance" when she was elected as the head of Liberal Democratic Party back in October. The 64-year old Takaichi may espouse "work, work, work, work and work", but how about those entering the labour market?
Watch more'Work, work, work!' Japan's new PM under fire for asking staff to come in at 3am
In the age of the gig economy, 34-year-old Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor of New York thanks to young people, who ask: what's the point of slaving away at a low-paying, high-pressure service sector job when AI is coming for their livelihood and saving up for a home or pension seems like a pipe dream?
One survey has 43 percent of Gen Zers stating they quit a job because it didn't fit their personal lives, compared with 28 percent of baby boomers.
So what makes a good work-life balance? Is it normal for humans to no longer define themselves by the way they earn their keep? In this age of rapid change and growing inequality, what to expect when it comes to our livelihoods and our lives?
Produced by François Picard, Aline Bottin, Daniel Whittington, Ilayda Habip, Charles Wente.
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Dipty CHANDER President of E-mma
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Antonio CASILLI Professor of Sociology, Institut polytechnique de Paris
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Benjamin CHAMINADE CEO of Reboot-inc
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Gilles Saint-Paul Economist
English (US) · 