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Welcome to Work Week, where we dig into the latest and greatest questions about the world of work — backed by equal parts hard data and fresh perspective. Tune in each week(ish) to find out what the latest emerging research tells us about how to make work, work better.
Hosted by Gabby Burlacu and Ted Liu from the Upwork Research Institute (and their AI proxies.)
Hosted by Gabby Burlacu and Ted Liu from the Upwork Research Institute (and their AI proxies.)
41 Episodes
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Which hiring reports can help you build a comprehensive, data-driven work strategy in 2026? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu of The Upwork Research Institute breaks down the key labor market data sources that leaders and professionals alike should be paying attention to — and why relying on only one report isn't enough. The episode explores what traditional reports like the BLS Jobs Report, the JOLTS, and the ADP National Employment Report can tell you — and what they miss. Also learn about a crucial but often overlooked piece of the labor market puzzle: freelancers, who represent 28% of skilled knowledge workers. Whether you're designing your team structure or future-proofing your skill set, this episode offers a practical cheat sheet for making data-informed decisions in 2026.
How do organizations and workers stay agile in a low hire, low fire job market? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu of The Upwork Research Institute explores what it means to lead and grow in an economy in which hiring is slow, layoffs are limited, and movement across the labor market is stalled. While the job market feels frozen, the demands on both businesses and workers continue to accelerate. This episode breaks down the latest labor market data and offers key strategies to stay agile in the midst of uncertainty — from investing in skills and adopting emerging technologies to rethinking engagement and building long-term relationships with freelancers. Whether you're navigating this economy as a decision-maker, an employee, or a freelancer, this episode offers practical guidance to help you build momentum — even when the market is standing still.
Why are experienced women leaving the workforce in record numbers — and what can leaders do to change course? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu of The Upwork Research Institute digs into the data behind an uptick in women exiting the workplace. Turnover among women isn't about balancing caregiving or other personal priorities, but is rather about outdated systems, stalled promotions, and inflexible work models that push workers out rather than helping them advance. Explore how slow advancement, pay inequity, and return-to-office mandates disproportionately impact women — and why this isn't simply a retention issue, but a serious business risk. Also learn key shifts leaders can make right now to build workplaces where women stay and thrive.
Why do fewer than half of U.S. workers hold what research defines as a quality job? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu of The Upwork Research Institute explores data from Gallup's American Job Quality Study 2025, revealing the five components that define job quality — and how most roles fall short. Learn how leadership decisions around pay, scheduling, advancement, and employee voice shape the experience of work. Also discover how skilled freelancers are creating higher quality jobs for themselves through greater autonomy, flexibility, and skill development. Whether you're an executive, manager, or team lead, this episode features actionable ideas to help workers on your team thrive — and increase productivity and innovation at your organization as a result.
How are manager roles changing amid increased AI adoption? With AI tools taking over more operational tasks, some leaders are questioning whether managers are still relevant. But new research from the University of Chicago's Becker Friedman Institute and Glassdoor tells a different story. In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu, Senior Manager at The Upwork Research Institute, discusses the long-term value great managers bring. Effective managers support improved talent matching, internal mobility, salary outcomes, and employee engagement. You'll learn why managers are more than coordinators — they're architects of worker potential. Whether you're a leader rethinking team structure or an individual contributor seeking growth, gain actionable insights to maximize your potential.
Workers today are more digitally connected than ever — and yet many feel like they have less time to do meaningful work. In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu explores how organizations can use AI to escape meeting overload and reclaim focus time. Drawing on data from Microsoft's latest Work Trend Index, we unpack how real-time interruptions, ad hoc meetings, and fragmented communication are consuming the most critical hours of the work day. But there's a new way forward — one in which AI has the potential to become a valuable focus tool. Learn practical strategies to use AI to filter messages, automate routine tasks, and coordinate team time more intelligently — without replacing the personal connections that matter most.
Can AI finally deliver on the long-anticipated promise of a shorter work week — or is it quietly pushing organizations toward longer hours and higher expectations? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu of The Upwork Research Institute breaks down what the latest data reveals about AI's impact on productivity, burnout, and how work is structured. Hear why some leaders believe a four-day work week is within reach, why many workers feel more pressure than ever, and how freelancers are showing what's possible when AI is used intentionally. Also learn about how AI can sometimes contribute to longer working hours, the risks of always-on technology, and what leaders can do right now to support more sustainable work models.
Can a business grow without adding more full-time employees? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu of The Upwork Research Institute explores why headcount is no longer the most reliable signal of success. Instead, small and medium-sized businesses are scaling through AI, experienced freelancers with AI skills, and flexible operating models. Drawing from the latest Upwork research, industry data, and a real-world small business success story, this episode offers data-backed insights and practical takeaways for leaders rethinking what growth can look like.
The promise of AI is speed and efficiency — but what happens when outputs create more problems than they solve? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu, Senior Manager at The Upwork Research Institute, unpacks the concept of "AI slop" — low-effort, AI-generated content that looks fine on the surface but erodes trust, credibility, and productivity. Drawing on research from the Stanford Social Media Lab, BetterUp Labs, MIT, Apiiro, and The Upwork Research Institute, we explore the hidden costs of injudicious AI use, why many organizations are failing to see ROI from their investments, and how leaders can avoid the productivity paradox. You'll also learn practical steps to prevent AI slop in your organization — from setting clearer review standards to investing in AI literacy — and see why freelancers are playing an increasingly vital role in keeping AI-enabled work both accurate and trustworthy.
How are early-career workers with AI skills setting themselves apart in today's competitive job market? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu explores how AI natives are commanding premium pay, landing promotions faster, and reshaping what employers value. Based on data from Upwork's Future Workforce Index and external industry research, the episode highlights why companies are struggling to hire AI talent, how freelancers are pulling ahead of full-time employees in AI fluency, and what business leaders and workers alike can do to thrive in this new landscape. Whether you're building teams or building your career, this episode shows how to make AI your competitive advantage.
Shadow AI is on the rise as employees adopt unapproved AI tools to work faster and smarter. In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan, Managing Director at The Upwork Research Institute, explores what's fueling this behavior; the financial, security, and ethical risks that shadow AI poses; and why outright bans are ineffective. Learn how forward-thinking companies can reduce exposure, without stifling innovation, through clear governance, trusted tools, and strong AI literacy. Plus, find out what freelancers are doing differently — and how enterprises can learn from them.
Is the pressure to learn and use AI tools quietly unraveling your team? In this episode of Work Week, host Dr. Gabby Burlacu explores how the rapid pace of AI adoption is fueling workplace anxiety and burnout. The episode covers a growing trend sometimes called "quiet cracking" — a persistent feeling of unhappiness in the workplace that often leads to disengagement. One factor driving quiet cracking is the expectation workers feel that they have to use AI tools. Many are faking AI fluency, afraid to admit what they don't know. A lack of psychological safety only makes things worse — diminishing trust, learning, and long-term performance. Learn practical steps leaders can take to address AI anxiety and create a safe space for workers to experiment with and learn about AI tools.
Will vibe coding replace software engineers — or redefine their role? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan, Managing Director at The Upwork Research Institute, unpacks how AI is changing the software development process. Learn why developers who collaborate with AI are in high demand, and how engineering roles are shifting from execution to orchestration. Whether you're a leader building a tech team or a developer navigating change, this episode offers clear insights and practical steps to help you thrive in the age of AI-powered coding.
How can managers use AI to improve mentorship programs — without becoming overreliant on AI tools? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu explores how AI can help free up time and enable managers to focus on becoming better mentors. Leaders often struggle with administrative overload, burnout, and eroding connections with their teams, and in this episode we'll discuss how AI can streamline routine tasks and help managers strengthen human relationships. Featuring insights from Dr. Jenna Butler, Principal Applied Research Scientist at Microsoft, the episode highlights the difference between AI as a support system and AI as a substitute. Also learn about the risk of overreliance on simulated empathy from AI tools and a practical three-step framework for mentoring with AI as your co-pilot.
What differentiates top-performing companies from their peers when it comes to how they think about and implement AI? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan explores how high-performing organizations are more confident, strategic, and optimistic in their approach to AI. Drawing from an analysis of hundreds of company earnings call transcripts, this episode breaks down how leaders talk about AI in earnings calls, what their sentiment reveals, and what companies with a more cautious mindset can learn to stay competitive. If you want to shift your AI mindset from hesitant to high-performing, this episode is for you.
Organizations are rethinking how executive roles affect business agility — and fractional C-suite positions are on the rise. In this episode of Work Week, host Dr. Gabby Burlacu explores what's driving the shift toward part-time and contract-based executives. We unpack new data and discuss use cases for fractional leadership, as well as the changing expectations of today's workforce. Hear firsthand examples of how fractional executives are redefining success — and what it all means for leaders, businesses, and the future of work. Tune in for key insights and action steps to rethink how your organization scales leadership.
Is your organization focused on automating the right tasks with AI — or just the ones that seem to drive the most productivity? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan, Managing Director at The Upwork Research Institute, discusses research from Stanford University that reveals a critical disconnect between AI investments and the tasks employees actually want automated. We explore Stanford's four-zone framework for AI task alignment. Learn which tasks are best suited for AI delegation, how shifting skill demands are reshaping the workplace, and three practical steps to align AI investment with worker preferences.
Why is demand for non-technical roles growing — even in an AI-powered world of work? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu from The Upwork Research Institute explores how trust is shaping demand for roles once considered at risk of automation. Drawing on the latest Upwork data, we discuss how freelancers and knowledge workers are leveraging AI as an augmentation tool that makes them irreplaceable — and why clients are more than twice as likely to trust work done by humans using AI than AI alone. From legal consulting and financial strategy to design and project management, we'll discuss how trusted professionals are applying their human judgment to their tech fluency. Whether you're a business leader or a freelancer, this episode offers strategic insights and practical steps for thriving in the trust-centered, AI-augmented workplace.
Are you taking AI generalist skills into consideration as you hire new workers and develop your existing team? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan of The Upwork Research Institute discusses the rise of the AI generalist: a new kind of worker who blends AI literacy with critical human strengths like creativity, strategy, and communication. Drawing on recent Upwork platform data, this episode explores how AI is transforming roles across job categories. Rather than replacing workers, AI is reshaping work — and this shift is creating a talent premium for those who adapt. Learn how businesses can hire or develop AI generalists, and get tips for building these future-ready skills yourself. Whether you're leading a team or growing your career, learn how to stay relevant and competitive in an AI-powered world.
Is AI closing the door on entry-level job seekers—or reshaping the path into the workforce? During this episode of Work Week, Dr. Kelly Monahan explores how recent college grads can compete in a hiring landscape increasingly shaped by automation, rising expectations, and evolving roles. With unemployment among recent college grads higher than the national average, job seekers are questioning the value of their college degrees and wondering how to stand out in an AI-driven job market. In this episode, learn relevant data about the entry-level job market, as well as tips to stand out as a job seeker. If you're a manager or business leader, also learn how you can rethink entry-level roles and your hiring process to future-proof your organization.
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