Flex: Reinventing Work for a Smarter, Happier Life

Auerbach, the founder of a consultancy that “helps brands understand how society is changing,” suggests nine-to-five should be a thing of the past in this thin “manifesto for living and working on your terms.” The Covid-19 pandemic, Auerbach writes, forced companies to allow employees the flexibility to work from home and focus on their well-being—concerns Auerbach argues should have considered all along. Working and living flexibly, Auerbach writes, challenges “social norms like women bearing the brunt of the emotional load at home,” and allows employees to be happier and more creative. She offers tips to prevent work from carrying over into one’s home life, such as setting up “a clear out-of-office email with the times you will answer emails and the times you are out of contact,” and not checking emails within an hour of waking up. Unfortunately, she offers relatively few stories of companies who have made workplace flexibility central to their mission; instead, the book is heavy on large-type inspirational quotes and heavy design elements. Auerbach’s encouraging direction on “how to be human in a tech-driven world” will find willing ears among a workforce that’s reexamining how work and other responsibilities coexist. Still, those looking for a deep dive into a changing work culture will be left wanting more. (Feb.)