The ‘Lanyard Class’

You can tell a lot about a workplace by who gets a lanyard.

You know the ones – ID badge swinging, access granted, doors opening with a satisfying beep. The quiet signal: you belong here. You’re part of the system.

Not everyone gets one.

Some people log in, log out, deliver the work, and disappear. Gig workers. Freelancers. Contractors orbiting the organisation but never quite landing inside it. No lanyard. No desk. No “see you tomorrow.”

It’s a modern twist on an older story.

We used to talk about blue collar vs white collar.
Then it was who had a desk phone… and who didn’t.
Then who got internet access at work.
Then who was unionised – and who was on their own.

Now? It might just be lanyard vs no lanyard.

It’s not about the plastic badge, of course. It’s about access, stability, identity. Being “in” versus working around the edges.

But here’s the Cappuccino Club thought: these divides never last forever. They just evolve.

So what’s next?

Maybe it’s not who gets a lanyard – but
who gets trusted with real decisions.
Or who gets time to think in a world that never stops.

Because the future of work won’t just be about where you sit.

It’ll be about whether you’re actually included.