Workplace

WeWork labors to keep itself looking different

28 Nov 2017

The shared-office provider’s latest purchase is Meetup. The social network’s get-togethers might fill WeWork’s space at slow times. But like investing in a wave-pool firm, starting a school and opening a gym, the consistent theme is desperation to not be a real-estate firm.

WeWork stretches sharing-economy valuations

26 Jun 2015

The groovy provider of office space - and beer - to millennial workers is now worth $10 bln after its latest funding round, doubling in just six months. WeWork is growing fast, but based on established rivals’ metrics earnings would need to jump 15-fold to justify that price tag.

Review: The shirk ethic – a user’s guide

28 Nov 2014

Work can be seen as a blessing or a curse. In “Empty Labor,” Roland Paulsen examines people who take mostly the latter view, asking how and why they shirk, and whether it’s always a bad thing. His study of idleness on the job is enlightening, amusing and sad.