The Workplace Reimagined: Accommodating Our Bodies and Our Lives

The book "The Workplace Reimagined" by Nicole Buonocore Porter explores how workplace norms marginalize people with disabilities and workers with caregiving responsibilities, using COVID-19 as a lens to illustrate how entrenched these norms are. It offers a practical and theoretical reconception of the workplace to end the stigmatization of these employees and promote the value of accommodating all workers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 25 May 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a significant shift in the way many employers approach work. While some companies have allowed their employees to work from home, a significant portion of the workplace still operates under strict structural norms that dictate when, where, and how work is performed. These norms, which include shifts, schedules, attendance, and leave-of-absence policies, often marginalize individuals with disabilities and workers with caregiving responsibilities. In her book, The Workplace Reimagined, Nicole Buonocore Porter examines how these workplace norms perpetuate discrimination against these groups and offers a theoretical and practical framework for reconceptualizing the workplace to eliminate stigmatization and accommodate all workers.

Porter uses the COVID-19 pandemic as a lens to illustrate how entrenched workplace norms are often not inevitable or necessary. She argues that these norms perpetuate stereotypes and biases against individuals with disabilities and workers with caregiving responsibilities, leading to discrimination and inequality in the workplace. By reconceptualizing the workplace, Porter aims to create a more inclusive and equitable environment where all workers can thrive.

One of the key themes of The Workplace Reimagined is the importance of recognizing the reality, precarity, and diversity of all workers' lives and bodies. Porter argues that traditional workplace norms often overlook the unique challenges faced by these groups, such as the need for flexible work arrangements, accommodations for physical or mental health conditions, and support for caregiving responsibilities. By recognizing and accommodating these differences, employers can create a workplace that is more supportive and inclusive of all workers.

Another important aspect of The Workplace Reimagined is the role of technology in shaping the future of work. Porter argues that technology has the potential to transform the way we work, but it is important to ensure that it is used in a way that benefits all workers and does not exacerbate existing inequalities. She suggests that employers should invest in technology that enables remote work, flexible scheduling, and access to training and development opportunities, regardless of an individual's location or circumstances.

In addition to offering a theoretical and practical framework for reconceptualizing the workplace, The Workplace Reimagined provides a wealth of examples and case studies that illustrate the impact of traditional workplace norms on individuals with disabilities and workers with caregiving responsibilities. These examples serve as a powerful reminder of the need for change and provide a roadmap for employers who are committed to creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace.

Overall, The Workplace Reimagined is a timely and eye-opening book that will help us realize a workplace in which we account for the reality, precarity, and diversity of all our lives and bodies. By reconceptualizing the workplace to eliminate stigmatization and accommodate all workers, we can create a more inclusive and equitable environment that benefits everyone.

Weight: 318g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009347464