Tony DiRomualdo, in his email newsletter Next Generation Company, has some very astute things to say about how companies have taken the workers’ desire for more flexibility and turned it against them. Now, I’m exaggerating there–a little. But there’s no doubt that options are hurting the quality of life on several levels. We need to think more about this…

Link: The Future of Work II: Standard of Working Up, Quality of Work Life Down.

Choice inflation is pervasive – in shops, at the movies, on TV, in restaurants. Impact on the standard of living? Unarguably better. How about quality of life? It’s not so clear. There are two cars for every three Americans. More cars mean a better standard of living. But traffic congestion, gridlock, and road infrastructure are all bad and getting worse. Quality of life – better or worse? It certainly didn’t feel better to me the last time I was stuck in traffic gridlock.