Professional Development Workshop / Friday, Jan 30rd, 2026 (online): „Navigating the Borders: First Steps to Reimagining Sustainable Work Relationships for the Next 30 Years“
Reimagining work for the next three decades – a framework in development brought to you by Wilson Wong, Outi Blackburn, Anke Trischler
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The Story of Maya and Thomas
Maya is 35, a Senior Data Analyst at an insurance company in Frankfurt/Main (Germany). Born in Singapore, she’s lived in Germany for 12 years. Every Sunday at 10 AM German time, she has WeChat calls with her parents in Singapore – she visits them every two years and sends 300 euros monthly.
Thomas, 42, is her husband and works as a project manager on an 80% position – officially to have time for care work. Together they manage care responsibilities for parents and children. Thomas‘ father Karl, 85, and mother Ingrid, 78, live in Frankfurt-Bockenheim. Karl struggles with technical requirements such as apps, Ingrid needs help with the digital prescription app.
Being good children with higher educational backgrounds in good jobs, of course, they support their parents – in everyday life and financially. But life is expensive in the urban area of Frankfurt. And for some extra money, they top up by sharing UBER shifts on Saturday nights.
Then the domino effect of borderlands begins – The Dominoes fall!
It’s winter; Maya falls on icy stairs, fractures her elbow, and consequently takes six weeks off work. Sick pay only covers 70% – without her UBER shifts, there’s a shortfall of 800 euros monthly. Thomas takes over both shifts and collapses after two weeks. The children have to go to emergency care, 50 euros daily.
Then Ingrid has a stroke. Thomas misses more days from his 80% position. His boss says: ‚Maybe we should think about 60% if this continues.‘ Karl can’t stay alone without Ingrid – short-term care costs 3,000 euros monthly.
In Singapore, Maya’s father suffers a heart attack. Maya can’t fly – arm in cast, flight ban. Thomas spontaneously flies for 1,800 euros on a credit card and navigates helplessly through Singapore’s healthcare system without Mandarin skills. Maya coordinates from Germany.
This story shows us the multiple, overlapping borderlands of our time.
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Resources:
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Contact:
Wilson Wong PhD, Mail: wilson@wongonwork.com
Anke Trischler, Mail: atrischler@transformation-n.de
Dr Outi Blackburn, Mail: outi.blackburn1@aru.ac.uk