Work and Career

Striking a work–life balance/ˈstraɪ.kɪŋ ə wɜːk laɪf ˈbæl.əns/

Meaning: Managing job duties without compromising personal life.Example: Many remote workers struggle with striking a work–life balance.

Career advancement opportunities/kəˈrɪə ədˈvɑːns.mənt ˌɒp.əˈtjuː.nə.tiz/

Meaning: Chances for promotion and professional growth.Example: Employees are more motivated when clear career advancement opportunities are available.

Workplace diversity and inclusion/ˈwɜːk.pleɪs daɪˈvɜː.sə.ti ənd ɪnˈkluː.ʒən/

Meaning: Embracing differences in race, gender, background, etc., in the office.Example: Workplace diversity and inclusion lead to more innovative teams.

The gig economy/ðə ɡɪɡ ɪˈkɒn.ə.mi/

Meaning: A labor market of freelance or short-term jobs.Example: Many young professionals are turning to the gig economy for flexibility.

Job satisfaction and burnout/dʒɒb ˌsæt.ɪsˈfæk.ʃən ənd ˈbɜːn.aʊt/

Meaning: Feeling fulfilled at work vs. being exhausted from overwork.Example: Low job satisfaction often leads to burnout and high turnover.

Future-proofing one’s career/ˈfjuː.tʃə pruːfɪŋ wʌnz kəˈrɪə/

Meaning: Preparing to stay relevant despite changes in the job market.Example: Learning digital skills is key to future-proofing one’s career.

Flexible working arrangements/ˈflek.sə.bəl ˈwɜː.kɪŋ əˈreɪndʒ.mənts/

Meaning: Work setups that allow changes in time or place.Example: Companies offering flexible working arrangements see higher productivity.

Skill-based hiring/skɪl beɪst ˈhaɪə.rɪŋ/

Meaning: Recruiting employees based on skills, not degrees.Example: Tech firms are increasingly relying on skill-based hiring.

Corporate responsibility and ethics/ˈkɔː.pər.ət rɪˌspɒn.səˈbɪl.ə.ti ənd ˈeθ.ɪks/

Meaning: Companies acting ethically and contributing to society.Example: Corporate responsibility and ethics influence brand loyalty.

The automation of routine jobs/ði ˌɔː.təˈmeɪ.ʃən əv ruːˈtiːn dʒɒbz/

Meaning: Using machines or software to perform repetitive tasks.Example: The automation of routine jobs is reshaping many industries.

1. How has remote work affected flexibility and work-life boundaries?

Answer/Idea: Remote work increases flexibility but blurs work-life boundaries.Explanation: Employees can work from anywhere and better manage time, but they often struggle to "switch off" from work.Expansion: This can lead to burnout and stress, especially without designated working hours or spaces.Example: A software developer might enjoy flexible hours but ends up responding to emails at midnight, harming their mental well-being.

2. Why do some people feel unfulfilled in their jobs?

Answer/Idea: Many feel unfulfilled due to job mismatch.Explanation: When a person's interests, skills, or values don’t align with their job role, motivation declines.Expansion: This can also lead to high turnover, poor productivity, and mental fatigue.Example: A creative graduate working in a monotonous data entry job may feel disengaged and unmotivated.

3. Are career changes becoming more common? Why?

Answer/Idea: Yes, career changes are more common than ever.Explanation: The fast pace of technological change and changing job demands push individuals to switch roles or industries.Expansion: Lifelong learning and reskilling are now essential to remain employable.Example: A teacher may transition into UX design after completing an online bootcamp.

4. Does gender inequality still exist in the workplace?

Answer/Idea: Yes, gender inequality remains in pay and promotion.Explanation: Despite progress, women often earn less and face barriers to leadership roles.Expansion: Workplace policies, unconscious bias, and lack of mentorship are contributing factors.Example: In many tech firms, women hold fewer than 30% of executive positions despite similar qualifications.

5. How will automation impact repetitive tasks in the workplace?

Answer/Idea: Automation will replace repetitive tasks.Explanation: Machines and AI are more efficient at doing predictable, routine jobs.Expansion: While this improves productivity, it also displaces low-skill workers, requiring upskilling or career shifts.Example: Automated checkouts are replacing cashiers in supermarkets, pushing workers to seek new skills.