After a long pandemic pause, some parts of the world are finally contemplating a restart. Where the virus is subsiding, people can begin assembling an approach to life and business that combines what they miss about the time before COVID-19 and what they discovered during the pandemic. That future must include a plan for those, such as the unemployed, who are still stuck on pause. This week, McKinsey took a deep dive into employment and workplace issues, with multiple studies, articles, and podcasts. A McKinsey survey of 100 executives found that 90 percent envision a future with some combination of remote and on-site work, but most (68 percent) have no detailed plan for how it will work (exhibit). The surveyed executives, from a wide range of industries, have good reason to desire a future with remote options: large numbers say it has led to increases in productivity and customer satisfaction.  

Progress toward gender equality is at risk. Responsibilities at work and at home have exponentially increased since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the burden is disproportionately impacting women. Released today, Deloitte Global’s 2021 Women @ Work Report: A global outlook explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the state of gender equality in the workplace—and what organizations can do to make tangible progress.