In this episode of What the F* is Happening to the Office?, Bob Fox, Founder of Work Design, sits down with Amanda Schneider, Founder and President of ThinkLab, to explore why workplace culture is failing—and how Gen Z may hold the key to fixing it.

Drawing on years of research, focus groups, and real-world experience, Amanda explains why today’s workplace is stuck in “hybrid purgatory,” where policies don’t match reality, trust is eroding, and burnout is rising. Together, Bob and Amanda unpack what Gen Z is really asking for—flexibility, transparency, purpose, and empowerment—and why these demands reflect what all generations have wanted all along.

Amanda also shares personal insights from building a successful remote-first company, raising a family while leading a research organization, and writing her upcoming book Work for What’s Next. She offers a practical framework for helping individuals, teams, and organizations design healthier, more effective ways of working.

Pre-order Amanda’s new book: https://amzn.to/4sXq6oW

Takeaways

• Work is fundamentally broken and needs rethinking.
• Gen Z demands respect for their lives and the planet.
• The speed of work is outpacing our ability to adapt.
• Trust is crucial for effective teamwork and collaboration.
• Hybrid work is becoming the new normal, not just a trend.
• Leaders must empower employees rather than just direct them.
• Flexibility in work hours is more important than location.
• Diversity of thought is essential for innovation.
• Mental health challenges are prevalent in the workplace today.
• The future of work will likely be a hybrid model.

Chapters
01:30 – Introduction: The State of Work Today
02:29 – Meet Amanda Schneider: A Journey to Redefine Work
03:55 – The Broken System: Why Work Needs to Change
06:49 – Understanding Gen Z: Prototypes, Not Stereotypes
09:23 – The Trust Gap: Policies vs. Practices
10:47 – Business Challenges vs. Generational Challenges
12:33 – Hybrid Work: A New Normal?
14:37 – Empowering Leadership: What Gen Z Wants
17:14 – Work-Life Balance: A Shift in Priorities
19:16 – Harnessing Entrepreneurial Spirit in the Workplace
22:22 – Redefining Leadership for Future Generations
22:59 – Flexibility: The Key to Modern Work
25:47 – The Future of Work: An Entangled Approach
28:21 – Personal Experiences Shaping Workplace Design
30:46 – Understanding Burnout and Employee Engagement
33:14 – Navigating Complexity in the Workplace
37:48 – Balancing Digital and Human Interactions
41:52 – Empowering Mid-Level Managers
44:21 – Addressing bias in AI and the Workplace Systems
48:32 – The Future of Work; Flexibility and Options

Credits:

• Created & Directed By Bob Fox
• Produced By Work Design Studios