The recession gives new urgency to discussions about the role of work in our lives. Whether it’s a daily grind or a rewarding vocation, we must work to live. Is ‘downshifting’ to spend more time on leisure a fantasy now shown up by the threat of unemployment, or an idea whose time has come? If we do want to keep our jobs, can unions help, or is it better to ‘recession-proof’ ourselves by ‘upskilling’? And with ever more of us employed by the state, is there still a public service ethos, or is the public sector an extravagance to be cut?

10.45am to 12.15pm Courtyard Gallery
The changing meaning of work – from work-life balance to unemployment

1.45pm to 3.15pm Courtyard Gallery
Working for the State: public service or gravy train?

3.45pm to 5.15pm Courtyard Gallery
Recession-proofing: from union militancy to reskilling