"This book offers a view of where British workplaces are heading during the first decade of the 21st century. Based on detailed evidence collected from managers at 2000 workplaces, it builds up a picture of the realities of change at work, which is by turns reassuring, alarming and disconcerting. The assessment begins with a review of the four major pressures for change upon organisations, then applies this framework to structure and explains the new trends emerging. These include, on the positive side, the growth of 'intelligent' flexibility, the renascence of corporate careers, and greater freedom from the office. But there is also a darker side, with Big Brother surveillance growing, family-friendly policies spluttering to a stop, a downsizing by no means dead. What then are the overall prospects for British employees? And is British business effectively managing to change? This book provides the authoritative answers."--BOOK JACKET