Laws That Aren't Laws: Parkinson's Law - Episode 2

Cyril Northcote Parkinson may have trained as a naval historian,
but it was his succinct humorous essay for the Economist magazine
in 1955 that was to overshadow much of his career. In it, he laid
out his fundamental law of bureaucracy - "work expands to fill
the time available" - and he went on to explain how organisations
become bloated regardless of the work in hand. It was instantly
recognised by subordinates, and made for uncomfortable reading
for those near the top of any institutional hierarchy.


Robin Ince explores how the law and its corollaries have taken on
a life of their own, and are now being reinterpreted as remote
working becomes the new normal for many.


Produced by Adrian Washbourne. First broadcast on Thursday 20
August 2020.