20: I would ban BILLIONAIRES: Polly Smythe (Novara Media)

Work, wealth, people & planet…Welcome back! Today, we dive into the profound impact of work on our lives and society. Our guest, Polly Smythe, a journalist and labour movement correspondent, offers her perspective on the transformation of work, the erosion of worker protections, and the intersection of labour rights with broader social and environmental issues. What would you do, if you weren’t working all the time?…

Key Takeaways

Historical Context and the Modern Work Crisis:

• Polly provides a historical overview of the labour movement, connecting past struggles to current challenges in the workplace. She discusses how the labour movement's focus has shifted over time and its implications for workers today.

Impact of COVID-19 on Work Dynamics:

• The pandemic has intensified workplace exploitation, highlighting the vulnerability of 'essential workers'. Polly shares firsthand observations of increased workloads under the guise of pandemic protocols, setting a new, unsustainable standard for labour expectations.

Journalism and Labour Representation:

• The decline of industrial reporting has left a gap in accurate and empathetic coverage of labour issues. Polly stresses the importance of media in shaping public understanding and policy regarding labour rights.

Economic Inequality and Corporate Power:

• Discussion on the widening gap between the wealthy and the working class, exacerbated by corporate practices aimed at maximising profits at the expense of worker welfare. This segment ties in with a critique of current economic models that favour capital over labour.

Vision for a Redefined Work-Life Balance:

Proposals for systemic change include moving to a 4-day work week to improve quality of life and address environmental concerns. Polly advocates for rethinking work not just as a necessity but as a component of a fulfilling life, aligned with personal and societal well-being.

This episode challenges us to rethink our roles within the modern economy and the true cost of our current work practices on personal and environmental levels. It calls for a return to a more equitable system where work serves humanity, not just the interests of a wealthy few.

Follow the show:

You can follow ‘If I Ruled the World’ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your preferred platform of choice.

Connect with our guest:

• Polly Smythe - Novara Media

Follow Gillian

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gillians_voice/

Website: https://www.gillianburkevoice.com/

Mentions & Resources

• 8 Hours Song
• Work Won’t Love You Back - Sarah Jaffe
• Bella Fashola
• RMT
• Novara Media
• Gary’s Economics - Will the rich leave the UK?
• Tweed-Waulking Song - "The Music of Scotland" by National Geographic Society 1974. Mrs. Christina Shaw, Lead Singer

What would you do if you ruled the world?

If you have any insights or feedback on today’s episode or you have an idea for how the world could be a better place, drop me an email on [email protected]

A final thank you to our wonderful sponsors Triodos Bank UK for making this podcast happen, and to The Wildlife Trusts for their continued support.

Credits:

Host: Gillian Burke

Production Company: Soundquake

Producer: Ffion Clarke

Editing: Jake-Lee Savage