ABSTRACT
This essay addresses the international impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on work and careers using Hong Kong as a case in point. Hong Kong is an international city in Asia with a thriving economy that is also suffering from an array of deep-rooted social problems, which include a wide resource gap between the rich and the poor, an overworked and stretched workforce, and unhappy citizens whose mental wellness is deteriorating. This essay discusses the intersections between the aforementioned social issues and the effects of the pandemic and reflects on priorities and directions that the city must undertake in the post-pandemic era. The society must first re-build a sense of hopefulness among workers and use their unique local and international understanding to co-construct a more equitable, global, and embracing work and career environment for all.
