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Forbes
7 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
What Fissured Workplaces Really Mean for Workers
For much of the 20th century, companies were structured very hierarchically. Workers reported to those above them in the organizational structure, with a CEO or company president at the top. But many companies today have adopted a different model that has significant implications for workers. Welcome to the rise of the fissured workplace. LONDON - NOVEMBER 03: Production staff on the weekly fashion magazine, Grazia edit the magazine in ... More a temporary office inside the Westfield shopping centre on November 3, 2008 in London. For one week Grazia magazine is being produced in the Westfield shopping centre and are offering shoppers free make-overs, fashion consultations and advice on pursuing a modeling career. (Photo by) WHAT ARE FISSURED WORKPLACES? Economist David Weil describes fissured workplaces as an arrangement where lead companies outsource core functions to smaller firms. This can mean a hotel chain subcontracting cleaning services out to a staffing agency rather than directly hiring cleaners; a financial services firm that routes tech support through a separate company instead of taking on these workers as employees; or a franchise model where independent operators bear responsibility for hiring, wages, and even work conditions. In these cases, companies can, for the most part, still manage to meet core basic needs and provide services. The hotel can house guests, the financial services firm can make clients' money, and the franchise can serve customers food. But they all do this by relying on workers who are not classified as employees, creating additional layers and rungs between organizations rather than within them. We can trace the rise of fissured workplaces back to the 1980s, when increasing numbers of companies began adopting this model over the previous one of more direct employment. And since then, fissured workplaces have grown remarkably. Today, fissured workplaces are not just affecting those in jobs like cleaning and food service that have historically yielded low wages and uncertainty. Now, even professional jobs that require college or even advanced degrees—accounting, tech, human resources--are becoming subject to the whims and vicissitudes of the fissured workplace. PROS AND CONS OF THE FISSURED WORKPLACE Proponents of fissured workplaces will argue that they allow firms to reduce costs, streamline operations, and of course, maximize profits. And there is a case to be made that fissured workplaces, and the short-term contracts that characterize them, give workers flexibility and freedom to pursue options freely, move in and out of the work force when desired, and more leverage to follow opportunities that are right for them. But there are numerous disadvantages to this type of arrangement as well: low wages, lack of benefits, and precarious employment, potential health and safety violations. Workers who rely on client firms can have a very difficult time establishing long-term employment, since their work is often contract based. And even when those in the fissured workplace secure full time employment, the distance from the lead company can make the work experience very different than the case of direct employment. Benefits like health care coverage, disability insurance, and sick or vacation leaves may be harder to attain in a fissured workplace model with more short-term employment and fewer direct employees. Companies can also exploit health and safety standards more easily in fissured workplaces by saddling contractors they hire with more dangerous or even illegal tasks. Data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries bears this out, with reports showing that in 2017 12% of workplace injuries that resulted in fatalities were among short-term contract workers, a much higher percentage than that of full time employee counterparts. Sociologist Dustin Avent-Holt and Don Tomaskovic-Devey find that earnings inequality is on the rise in many countries, and much of this is related to the disparities between firms—the larger ones that offer jobs with security, benefits, and wages, and the smaller ones these companies contract with, that offer none of these. Coronavirus outbreak, Covid 19, remote working, video conference in a company. Man sitting at his ... More desk holding his head with his hands. (Photo by: Tesson/Andia/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) IMPLICATIONS Maybe one of the most important takeaways from the rise of fissured workplaces is that they can contribute to worker pessimism and doubts about the economy and how well it is working for them. For workers who are on short term contracts with a client company, subject to potentially dangerous work, and doing jobs that do not provide benefits or high pay, it can be very hard to hear that companies are adding jobs, unemployment is low, and that the stock market is strong. The rise of fissured workplaces--and all the detriments they bring to workers--is an important reminder to pay attention not just to the quantity but the quality of jobs in our economy. It's also worth asking about the implications of fissured workplaces on consumers. Organizations in the health care industry have become increasingly reliant on this model for hiring and staffing, but this approach could theoretically have adverse consequences for patients who rely on long-term, close relationships with providers to advocate for them and ensure quality care. And it's not too hard to imagine disastrous (and gross!) outcomes for patrons of a restaurant franchise in the fissured workplace if the workers face pressure to skirt health and safety regulations. Fissured workplace models are becoming increasingly common, but it's worth asking exactly what economic, social, and physical costs consumers and workers are paying as a result.
Geek Tyrant
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
INVASION Season 3 Teaser Trailer Unleashes the Full Fury of the Alien War — GeekTyrant
Apple TV+ just dropped the first teaser trailer for Invasion Season 3, and the fight for Earth is entering its most explosive phase yet. After two seasons of slow-burn dread and scattered global perspectives, the characters are finally uniting for a high-stakes mission: infiltrate the alien mothership. As the 'ultimate apex aliens' spread their deadly tendrils across the globe, the series levels up in scale and urgency. Invasion 'follows an alien invasion through different perspectives around the world. In Season 3, those perspectives collide for the first time, as all the main characters are brought together to work as a team on a critical mission to infiltrate the alien mothership. 'The ultimate apex aliens have finally emerged, rapidly spreading their deadly tendrils across the entire planet. It will take all heroes working together, using their experience and expertise, to save the human species. New relationships are formed, old relationships are challenged and even shattered, as an international cast of characters must become a team before it's too late.' Returning cast members include Golshifteh Farahani, Shioli Kutsuna, Shamier Anderson, India Brown, Shane Zaza, and Enver Gjokaj, with Erika Alexander joining the mix. Created by Simon Kinberg ( X-Men: Days of Future Past ) and David Weil ( Hunters ), the show continues to draw inspiration from War of the Worlds while carving its own identity as a globe-spanning, emotionally grounded alien invasion saga. If Season 3 sticks the landing, Invasion might just become one of sci-fi TV's most ambitious slow-burn payoffs. Season 3 kicks off August 22, 2025,
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Invasion Season 3 Gets August Release Date — Watch First Trailer
Some 17 months after being renewed for Season 3, Apple TV+'s Invasion now has a return date. Season 3 of the sci-fi drama — which dropped its Season 2 finale back in October 2023 — will premiere Friday, Aug. 22 with a singular episode, followed by weekly releases through Oct. 24. More from TVLine The Challenge: Vets and New Threats Trailer Reveals the One Thing TJ Hates More Than Quitters - Watch Save the Dates: Eva Longoria's Wrexham Spinoff, Drop on Peacock and More Jennifer Aniston to Play Jennette McCurdy's Mother in I'm Glad My Mom Died Series Adaptation for Apple TV+ A teaser trailer, seen below, was released along with the awaited premiere date. Created by Simon Kinberg and David Weil, Invasion follows an alien invasion through different perspectives around the world. In Season 3, 'those perspectives collide for the first time, as the series' main characters are brought together to work as a team on a critical mission to infiltrate the alien mothership,' says the official synopsis. 'The ultimate apex aliens have finally emerged, rapidly spreading their deadly tendrils across our planet. It will take all our heroes working together, using all their experience and expertise, to save our species. New relationships are formed, old relationship are challenged and even shattered, as our international cast of characters must become a team before it's too late.' Golshifteh Farahani (as Aneesha), Shioli Kutsuna (Mitsuki), Shamier Anderson (Trevante), India Brown (Jamila), Shane Zaza (Nikhil) and Enver Gjokaj (Clark) all came back for Season 3, while Erika Alexander (Wu-Tang: An American Saga) joined the cast in an undisclosed role. Want scoop on , or for any other TV show? Shoot an email to InsideLine@ and your question may be answered via Matt's Inside Line! Best of TVLine 'Missing' Shows, Found! Get the Latest on Ahsoka, Monarch, P-Valley, Sugar, Anansi Boys and 25+ Others Yellowjackets Mysteries: An Up-to-Date List of the Series' Biggest Questions (and Answers?) The Emmys' Most Memorable Moments: Laughter, Tears, Historical Wins, 'The Big One' and More
