The Nation Without Vacation
When AI replaces human recruiters, why startup leaders should hire a Mini-Me version of themselves, and why we’re all kidding ourselves about unlimited vacation
BLUEPRINT // the future of work // ISSUE #10 OCTOBER 28th, 2016
Co-workers,
It’s Friday — time for the two-day staycation formerly known as The Weekend.
But the old-fashioned weekend is chump change compared to what Netflix, LinkedIn, Virgin — even General Electric — are offering: unlimited vacations. Too good to be true? Columnist rosie yakob takes on the myths and realities of unlimited time off.
“In the USA, the #NoVacationNation, full-time employees get an average of 8.1 vacation days after a year on the job, and only 15.7 after 25 years,” Rosie writes. “Our European counterparts are given 20–30 days per year. And they like to rub it in.”
That’s why a lot of American employers are starting to offer unlimited vacation. But that perk, Rosie argues, is actually a double-edged sword. Here’s why.
Looking forward,
Dept. of Future Possibilities
What we’re reading
How much will Big Data transform recruiting? Data Informed columnist Bernard Marr imagines a future where AI can create a strong shortlist of candidates all on its own — then conduct interviews via AI algorithms to determine the perfect match.
- That said: Despite all the unemployed recruiters referenced above, Jason Furman, Obama’s top economic advisor, argues that robotics and AI will not cause massive job losses in the MIT Technology review.
- In fact: You could look at AI as source of job creation. There is so much interest in the field that, as Fortune reports, Udacity is offering a new “nanodegree” in AI.
Take a look inside the microfactory of Local Motors, an automotive startup launched by an Ivy League-eductaed ex-Marine who wanted to marry his love of cars with new business models. Really wild stuff here.
- Speaking of the future: How Meetup Ditched Its Boys Club, by Jessi Hempel
- Pair with: “Always Be Diversifying”, the secrets of companies with diverse workforces, by Peter Moskowitz in Blueprint.
Startup leaders should consider hiring people much like themselves, writes Roy Bahat in NewCo. Why? So the leaders “can focus on practicing the next skill the company needs,” says Bahat.
- Pair with: Forbes reports that freelancers make up 35 percent of the U.S. workforce, collectively earning more than $1 trillion.
- Despite the promises: TechRepublic reports on a large-scale study that finds 56% of employees lack the technologies they need to do their job well.
Dept. of New Tools
New software we’re excited about
Google Jamboard — Google’s answer to Microsoft Surface Hub is a cloud-based digital whiteboard that lets you bring content from the web straight into your collaborative “jam.” Now signing up early adopters.
Dept. of Who to Follow on Twitter
Future of work thought leaders, irascible know-it-alls, and friends
- Charlene Li — principal analyst at Altimeter, a global consulting firm specializing in disruptive technologies.
- Lisa Bodell — CEO of futurethink, an innovation training firm, and author of Kill the Company: End the Status Quo, Start an Innovation Revolution.
- Tess Posner — managing director of TechHire.
Dept. of Future Graphs
What we’re sharing
Dept. of Goodbyes
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