How the Unionization Trend is Changing Workplace Dynamics | HBR IdeaCast | Podcast episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 14, 2026 · 45 MIN

How the Unionization Trend is Changing Workplace Dynamics | HBR IdeaCast | Podcast

from Harvard Business Review · host HBR

How the Unionization Trend is Changing Workplace Dynamics | HBR IdeaCast | Podcast 7 Dec 2022 --- For years, union membership has been shrinking in the United States and many other countries. But recently we’ve seen a resurgence, with employees in sectors like retail, hospitality, and media organizing to collectively bargain for better pay, benefits, and job flexibility. Thomas Kochan, a professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management, has long studied how unions affect individual, team, and corporate performance. He explains why some fears about them are overblown, how workers form successful ones, and how leaders can partner with these groups to ensure the best outcomes for everyone. This episode originally aired on HBR IdeaCast on July 19, 2022. Listen to more HBR IdeaCast episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzAU8TPKsJuaxff5Cp0P2DKE_tFyaWOOa You can also listen to this episode on HBR.org, and wherever you listen to podcasts: - HBR.org (transcript available here): https://hbr.org/podcast/2022/07/how-the-unionization-trend-is-changing-workplace-dynamics - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-the-unionization-trend-is-changing-workplace-dynamics/id152022135?i=1000570470888 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3IAsaiVXhClcCHMa3MjzGz?si=XaDqtw_kTwSbqcL-dS5oLA - Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/hbr-ideacast/episode/how-the-unionization-trend-is-changing-workplace-dynamics-205013140 - Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL2ZlZWRzLmhhcnZhcmRidXNpbmVzcy5vcmcvaGFydmFyZGJ1c2luZXNzL2lkZWFjYXN0/episode/dGFnOmF1ZGlvLmhici5vcmcsMjAwNi0wNS0wODppZGVhY2FzdC4wODY3?sa=X&ved=0CAIQuIEEahcKEwiYxPjl4Nb7AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ Series Description: A weekly podcast featuring the leading thinkers in business and management. About Harvard Business Review: Harvard Business Review is the leading destination for smart management thinking. Through its flagship magazine, books, and digital content and tools published on HBR.org, Harvard Business Review aims to provide professionals around the world with rigorous insights and best practices to help lead themselves and their organizations more effectively and to make a positive impact. Learn more at www.hbr.org. Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 1:06 - Are Union Victories Happening Worldwide? 4:04 – Why Membership is Declining 11:50 – Is Survival Without Unions Possible? 18:11 – How Unionizing Affects the Workplace 21:04 – How Should Employers Respond to Unionizing? 25:41 – What Makes a Successful Movement? 33:03 – Outro Follow Harvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/harv... https://www.facebook.com/HBR/ https://twitter.com/HarvardBiz https://www.instagram.com/harvard_bus... Sign up for Newsletters: https://hbr.org/email-newsletters #HarvardBusinessReview #business #management Copyright © 2022 Harvard Business School Publishing. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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