Featured Topic

Future of work

It’s time for a restart on the nature of work.

Even before the pandemic, the idea of work had been changing. Technological advances had set the stage for greater flexibility around where and how we work and how people get paid. The pandemic put all of those ideas on steroids. The result: We’re seeing three years of change happening in just nine months.   

Those physical changes, such as people having the flexibility to work from home or getting paid every day instead of every week, need to keep up with changing attitudes about work. It’s no longer enough for work to just be about a paycheck. Now more than ever, people want work to be a way to connect them to other people and their shared vision for building a better world — and people need work to be a place where they are safe where their physical and mental health is paramount.

This month, the Mastercard Newsroom will explore how we’re reinventing economic models and innovating new technology to ensure the future isn’t something that happens to workers and companies. It needs to be something they’ve contributed to, have a vested stake in and are properly positioned to benefit from — both within Mastercard and the workforce as a whole.

We’ll also ask the question: Can we evolve the infrastructure of pay, benefits and services to meet the needs of the rising tide of gig workers — and what implications might that have for the rest of the workforce? How should companies nurture diversity of thought and empathetic leadership among their employees, and what impact can that have on innovation, inclusion and the nature of the solutions they offer? What kinds of technology can Mastercard deliver and partnerships can we forge that will allow a new generation of entrepreneurs across the world to grow and thrive?

This pandemic won’t last forever. Eventually knowledge, advanced treatments and a vaccine will make this moment a dark chapter in the history books. But the changes around work could be with us forever, and that’s a good thing. This is a moment full of challenges but also ripe for innovations and change on a grand scale that can usher in a more human-centric economy and a healthier, happier and more resilient workforce.

related content

Story
Transforming tech opportunities through mentorship, education and … transportation?

A jobs initiative targeting young technologists from underserved areas of St. Louis is building careers and driving connections, quite literally, thanks to Uber.

Story
How a mentorship program for Black men is building up community and lifting voices

Uplift, launched last year, brings together Black executives and employees for career guidance, support and a greater sense of belonging.

Story
How cyber athletes are gaming the job market

As cyberattacks continue to rise, cybersecurity competitions are drawing fresh talent — and many gamers — to shore up a field with a huge workforce gap.

Story
Giving gig workers an on-ramp to health care

One in 10 working Americans are now self-employed, and that number is likely to grow. But the way workers access benefits hasn’t changed.

Blog
3 ways to build a more diverse and inclusive workplace

A diversity, equity and inclusion strategy done right will make a good company great, Mastercard's Chief Inclusion Officer Randall Tucker says. Here are three things to keep in mind.

Podcast
'Inside the Circles' podcast: How to cultivate authentic leadership

Three women leaders discuss the importance of mentorship, the need for authenticity and what it takes to create a culture of inclusion on Mastercard’s podcast on the future of work.

Blog
How to crack the code to get more women in tech

To inspire more girls to pursue careers in STEM, they need to meet more women who have lived them, says Dana Lorberg, the engineer who helped build Mastercard’s global network.

Podcast
Inside the Circles podcast: The power of HBCUs in closing the Black leadership gap

In Mastercard’s podcast on the future of work, three alumni of HBCUs discuss how the experience shaped them, expanded their networks and gave them opportunities to rise in corporate America.

Story
Artificial intelligence and humanity: One man's quest to make data serve people

Paul Duan’s nonprofit Bayes Impact is where algorithms meet altruism. His team uses technology for the common good, including an AI-powered app that helps job seekers improve their searches.

Story
Ready for the world: Mentorship helps veterans succeed after military life

Making the transition to the private sector can be difficult, but executives can spot the skills and talents that translate well to corporate life.

Video
AI and the future of work: Three ways to navigate disruption

The enormous potential of artificial intelligence could radically transform the way we work. Mastercard leaders share insights into avoiding unintended consequences and ensuring a smarter future for us all.

Blog
Economic mobility requires benefits that move with workers

In the U.S., the rise of the gig economy, along with COVID-related job losses, has left many without traditional benefits and the flexibility to move benefits across jobs. Reimagining this complex network can bring financial security.

STORY
Changing the way business – and government – recruit cybersecurity pros

The Cybersecurity Talent Initiative brings promising new partners – from a cyber consultant for swashbucklers to a sweepstakes security intern – to federal agencies and the private sector, ensuring diversity in tech talent.

Story
Helping to birth new life — and financial possibilities — for families in Indonesia

In many countries, midwives remain an essential part of childbirth. A new program in Indonesia aims to bring them — and their clients — into the digital economy, transforming their business.

Video
If every day was payday: Making the gig economy work smarter

Providing gig workers with fast, on-demand access to their earnings can improve their financial resilience in times of need and enable a more sustainable future for the gig economy.

STORY
As more women leave the workforce, this is a way back in

A returnship program for mid-career professionals who have taken employment breaks eases them back into corporate life — and may become increasingly critical in post-COVID years.

Video
Helping migrant workers stay connected to home

Migrant workers can feel at home among their fellow nationals at exchange houses, where they send money to family and friends abroad.

STORY
Teens today, tech entrepreneurs of tomorrow

The Teens in AI program inspires the next generation of digital researchers, entrepreneurs and leaders who will shape the future of work while creating opportunities for underrepresented youth.

STORY
Girl on fire: When coronavirus hit, one young employee fought back with enthusiasm

A flexible corporate structure and “fail fast” mentality encourage ideas to bubble up and harness the innovation of junior workers.

STORY
A million and counting: Bringing STEM opportunities to girls around the world

From cryptology to big data to digital convergence and more, young women gain needed skills and confidence for critical careers through Girls4Tech.

STORY
Why walking in a teammate’s shoes can make you a better leader

The HOW Institute for Society’s fellowship program for moral leadership helps Mastercard employees learn to nurture moral compass & take an ethical approach in business.

Story
Building a network to help generations of woman entrepreneurs in Vietnam

Direct support and training helps woman-owned businesses stay afloat amid the pandemic, but financial tools customized for women can help them thrive.

Story
Making space to grow: An entrepreneur and her mentor exchange life lessons in South Africa

Small business owners, particularly women, often have limited access to support, but mentorships can help them navigate these challenging times.

Photo Essay
Helping farmers bank on a robust future for coffee

Your morning cup of coffee depends on smallholder farmers. A partnership in Mexico and Colombia is bringing them the digital tools and financial training to sustain their business for future generations.

Blog
How to come out thriving on the other side

The COVID-19 reset is an opportunity to reinvent how we serve our customers and communities, rethink how we work, reimagine our role, and our business models.

Story
Rebuilding today’s workforce

Our partnership with OnwardUS will help connect those who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19 with retraining, new jobs and access to financial assistance.

Story
See it, be it: When young women have STEM mentors, they shine

A recent survey by Mastercard of boys and girls showed lack of confidence and differences in motivation often keep girls away from studying STEM and later pursuing careers in the field.

Blog
Investing in women everywhere

Using digital technology to change the way workers get paid helps people remain resilient during emergencies, which is critical now as workers around the world face growing economic uncertainty in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Blog
For women, for everyone: Mastercard’s commitment to gender balance

Mastercard is pushing our networks further, forging ambitious partnerships and championing the people, businesses and innovations that are transforming the way our world works.

Blog
How to predict the future when the only constant is change

Maja Lapcevic shares her insights on innovation in emerging technologies when their potential isn’t immediately clear.