The Rise of Disposable Workers, with Paul Osterman

For decades, a good job meant stability, career development, and a long-term relationship between employers and employees. But according to MIT Sloan professor Paul Osterman, that social contract has fundamentally changed. In this episode of Career Sessions, JR Lowry sits down with Osterman to discuss the ideas behind his new book, Disposable Workers, and why more than one-third of today's workforce now falls into employment arrangements designed for flexibility rather than long-term investment.

Together, they explore what's driving this shift, why it extends well beyond the gig economy, how AI may accelerate the trend, and what individuals, leaders, and policymakers can do to build a future of work that benefits both organizations and employees. Whether you're just starting your career or leading an organization through change, this conversation will challenge the way you think about job security, career development, and the future of work.

Key topics covered:

Why Paul Osterman believes over one-third of workers are now "disposable workers"The difference between contractors, freelancers, marginal workers, and traditional employeesWhat's driving organizations toward more flexible—and less committed—workforcesHow AI is likely to accelerate the trend toward workforce disposabilityThe costs of disposable work for employees, organizations, and societyPractical advice for building career resilience through skills, networks, and smart career choicesWhat business leaders and policymakers can do to improve the quality of work

Check out the full series of “Career Sessions, Career Lessons” podcasts here or visit pathwise.io/podcast/. A full written transcript of this episode is also available at https://pathwise.io/podcasts/paul-osterman/.

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