Hello from 2054: the time machine actually worked.
Things are very different here. The UK embraced universal basic income (UBI) at some point and the world of work is as wild as a cat in a room full of laser pointers. From what I can understand, the cost of living finally reached a tipping point a few years ago, and they entered an era where people can actually pursue their passions without the constant worry of paying the rent; imagine that.
The concept of work has morphed into something that is barely recognisable. People now hop between careers like they are at a buffet, sampling everything from tech wizardry to artisanal space worm cheese-making (I tried it, and yes it is as gross as it sounds). With UBI providing a gravity-free cushion, folks are free to explore their interests without the fear of ending up on the breadline.
Work-life balance disappeared from the lexicon a while back it seems; flexibility has long been the norm and the way they work allows people to channel their focus and energy when they are most productive, or, would you believe, when they feel like it.
Speaking of feelings, let’s talk about life harmony enhancement (they stopped calling it ‘employee wellbeing’ years ago). Organisations have programmes that are less about yoga classes and mandatory mental health courses, and more about genuine holistic life support that addresses individuals’ needs in a way I have never seen, but simultaneously benefits the community as a whole.
Workplace cultures have shifted to embrace collaboration and community; it is all about cooperative models where profits are shared, everyone has shared ownership, and everyone has a say. People are no longer just cogs in a machine; they are valued contributors in a vibrant ecosystem.
All in all, they figured out in this UBI-enabled utopia that if we are living a 100-year life, work cannot be just about survival or status; it is about thriving and having a blast while doing it. The UK has become a beacon of creativity and inclusivity to the rest of the world, proving that when financial security is guaranteed, people can truly unleash their potential.
I will be back soon, but I want to soak it up a bit more; in this future, work is as enjoyable as a day at the beach. In the meantime, I hope the implementation of our much-delayed flexible benefits platform is going ok. Oh, and say hi to my mum for me.
Ewen MacPherson is group chief people officer at Havas UK
