Lab Rats

How Silicon Valley Made Work Miserable for the Rest of Us

By Dan Lyons | Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

About the book

New York Times bestselling author Dan Lyons exposes how the \"new oligarchs\" of Silicon Valley have turned technology into a tool for oppressing workers in this \"passionate\" (Kirkus) and \"darkly funny\" (Publishers Weekly) examination of workplace culture.

At a time of soaring corporate profits and plenty of HR lip service about \"wellness,\" millions of workers--in virtually every industry -- are deeply unhappy. Why did work become so miserable? Who is responsible? And does any company have a model for doing it right?

For two years, Lyons ventured in search of answers. From the innovation-crazed headquarters of the Ford Motor Company in Detroit, to a cult-like \"Holocracy\" workshop in San Francisco, and to corporate trainers who specialize in . . . Legos, Lyons immersed himself in the often half-baked and frequently lucrative world of what passes for management science today. He shows how new tools, workplace practices, and business models championed by tech's empathy-impaired power brokers have shattered the social contract that once existed between companies and their employees. These dystopian beliefs--often masked by pithy slogans like \"We're a Team, Not a Family\" -- have dire consequences: millions of workers who are subject to constant change, dehumanizing technologies -- even health risks.

A few companies, however, get it right. With Lab Rats, Lyons makes a passionate plea for business leaders to understand this dangerous transformation, showing how profit and happy employees can indeed coexist.

Editions of Lab Rats

Hardcover
ISBN 9780316561860
EBook
ISBN 9780316561853

Read an Excerpt

New York Times bestselling author Dan Lyons exposes how the \"new oligarchs\" of Silicon Valley have turned technology into a tool for oppressing workers in this \"passionate\" (Kirkus) and \"darkly funny\" (Publishers Weekly) examination of workplace culture.

At a time of soaring corporate profits and plenty of HR lip service about \"wellness,\" millions of workers--in virtually every industry -- are deeply unhappy. Why did work become so miserable? Who is responsible? And does any company have a model for doing it right?

For two years, Lyons ventured in search of answers. From the innovation-crazed headquarters of the Ford Motor Company in Detroit, to a cult-like \"Holocracy\" workshop in San Francisco, and to corporate trainers who specialize in . . . Legos, Lyons immersed himself in the often half-baked and frequently lucrative world of what passes for management science today. He shows how new tools, workplace practices, and business models championed by tech's empathy-impaired power brokers have shattered the social contract that once existed between companies and their employees. These dystopian beliefs--often masked by pithy slogans like \"We're a Team, Not a Family\" -- have dire consequences: millions of workers who are subject to constant change, dehumanizing technologies -- even health risks.

A few companies, however, get it right. With Lab Rats, Lyons makes a passionate plea for business leaders to understand this dangerous transformation, showing how profit and happy employees can indeed coexist.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lab Rats about?

New York Times bestselling author Dan Lyons exposes how the \"new oligarchs\" of Silicon Valley have turned technology into a tool for oppressing workers in this \"passionate\" (Kirkus) and \"darkly funny\" (Publishers Weekly) examination of workplace culture.

At a time of soaring corporate profits and plenty of HR lip service about \"wellness,\" millions of workers--in virtually every industry -- are deeply unhappy. Why did work become so miserable? Who is responsible? And does any company have a model for doing it right?

For two years, Lyons ventured in search of answers. From the innovation-crazed headquarters of the Ford Motor Company in Detroit, to a cult-like \"Holocracy\" workshop in San Francisco, and to corporate trainers who specialize in . . . Legos, Lyons immersed himself in the often half-baked and frequently lucrative world of what passes for management science today. He shows how new tools, workplace practices, and business models championed by tech's empathy-impaired power brokers have shattered the social contract that once existed between companies and their employees. These dystopian beliefs--often masked by pithy slogans like \"We're a Team, Not a Family\" -- have dire consequences: millions of workers who are subject to constant change, dehumanizing technologies -- even health risks.

A few companies, however, get it right. With Lab Rats, Lyons makes a passionate plea for business leaders to understand this dangerous transformation, showing how profit and happy employees can indeed coexist.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Lab Rats?

Economics, Finance, Business and Management > Business and Management > Office and workplace > Working patterns and practices

Where can I read a sample of Lab Rats?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780316561860

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Lab Rats?

Dan Lyons

Who is the Publisher of the book Lab Rats?

Grand Central Publishing

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Lab Rats is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780316561860) and ebook(ISBN 9780316561853)

Where can I buy Lab Rats online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Lab Rats from below

Where can I buy Lab Rats?