The document discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the future of work in three key areas: the gig economy, remote working, and automation. It states that the pandemic has led to job losses and more people looking for work than available jobs, with 89% of gig workers finding their work too difficult and seeking more stable employment. It also notes that 84% of workers want the option to continue working remotely even after the pandemic ends. Finally, it mentions that 40% of employers have accelerated plans to automate jobs due to lockdowns.

1. It is impossible to say exactly how covid-19 will affect the future of
work, but it is possible to make predictions based on what is
happening at the moment.

2. THE GIG ECONOMY
Covid-19 has led to a lot of people losing their jobs. This means more people are looking
for jobs than there are jobs available. What percentage of gig-economy workers say that
finding their own work became too difficult so they looked for a more stable job?
ANSWER 89%
Why might gig-economy workers have had more
financial problems than other workers during the
pandemic?
58% 89%OR
Before you decide, think: have you seen anything in the news or from the last
session that makes one answer more likely?

3. REMOTE WORKING
Lockdown has proven that lots of people can work from home. Many workers have found
this a positive change so experts think that many workplaces will stay flexible about this
in the future. What percentage of workers say that they think it is important to be given
the choice to stay working from home, even after the pandemic is over?
ANSWER 84%
Should businesses take this opportunity to listen
to their workers? Why / why not?
48% 84%OR
Before you decide, think: have you seen anything in the news or from the last
session that makes one answer more likely?

4. AUTOMATION
Throughout the pandemic, many businesses had to temporarily close. Some used this as
an opportunity to update things or plan for the future. What percentage of employers say
the pandemic made them bring forward their plans to automate some jobs?
ANSWER 40%
Why can’t all businesses use lockdowns as an
opportunity to update the way they work?
Hint: think back to the film last session.
25% 40%OR
Before you decide, think: have you seen anything in the news or from the last
session that makes one answer more likely?

5. As the future of work changes, so will our town centres and high streets (think back to how Roman
Road was changing due to the pandemic). Burnet High Street has the following businesses:
CHALLENGE
How could businesses
that you chose to shut
down adapt to be more
successful?
But what will it look like in the future? Decide:
• Two businesses that will have opportunities. Expand these businesses.
• Two that you think will face problems. Shut these two down.
• Two new businesses to open in the empty spaces.
You must use the puzzle pieces on the board to support your choices.
JAPANESE
RESTAURANT
MECHANIC
OFFICESHOMEWARE
SHOP
SUPERMARKET
CLEANER

6. Keywords to use
in your answers:
gig economy, remote
working and automation
• Who would benefit from your high street? What opportunities would they have?
• Who would miss out? What problems would they face? How could they
overcome these problems?
• Whose high street do you think would be the most successful?
Whose would be least successful? Why?
JAPANESE
RESTAURANT
MECHANIC
OFFICESHOMEWARE
SHOP
SUPERMARKET
CLEANER

7. HIGHER-PAID WORKERS
CHEF
CALLUM TRAVEL AGENT
MEN
ENGINEER
YOUNG PEOPLE
ILHAN
PARENTS
DRIVER
NATASHA
LOWER-PAID WORKERS
OFFICE WORKER
WOMEN
TEACHER
COMPUTER PROGRAMMER
OLDER PEOPLE