The Business Times
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THE BROAD VIEW

The modern worker in trouble

From blurring work-life boundaries to the growing gap in housing affordability, the picture is looking grim

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    • The travails of the modern worker start even before university, with the new norm of securing internships to score brownie points for a permanent position at a company.
    • The travails of the modern worker start even before university, with the new norm of securing internships to score brownie points for a permanent position at a company. IMAGE: PIXABAY

    Georgios Georgiou

    Published Sat, May 9, 2026 · 07:00 AM

    MODERN workers are plagued by a host of misfortunes. Gone are the times when they could make a living with a nine-to-five job in a single company throughout their career – one that could afford them a reasonable quality of life and a decent home.

    In the 21st century, such privileges are a bizarre and enviable rarity, a dream of the past.

    What is life like for modern workers? Their travails start before they even graduate from university. The new norm is that, to be eligible for a job post-graduation, they need to apply for and obtain internships.

    Work-Life BalanceWork CultureLabour MarketJobs and skillsGig economyLeadership

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