B2 U1. “Changes in the world of work”

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The world of work is different than it was twenty, ten, or even five years ago, not just because of the recession and the Covid-19 pandemic. Digital advances, imposed isolation, and expectations from a new generation of workers have shifted the way we produce and collaborate, transforming the workplace and, with it, our lives.

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In terms of when you work and where you work, more companies are offering—and more employees are opting for—workplace flexibility. Since 2020, the workplace has gone digital. Telecommuting is what assisted in eluding financial and mental collapse. Employees based in an office can often take their work wherever desired, which provides opportunities to live closer to family, relocate to a new city, travel, or simply work from home in your pyjamas. The question posed is whether your employer embraces this new trend even when Covid restrictions are lifted.

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Entrepreneurship is in vogue, partly because start-ups like Facebook have gained notoriety and partially because the recession left some workers with no other option. Not only are social media making advertising more cost-efficient but also approachable. According to a report from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, more people became self-employed in 2010 than during each of the past 15 years, a think tank that focuses on entrepreneurship. But most entrepreneurs work independently without hiring other workers, which means they’re not creating a significant number of jobs for the economy.

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Unlike their grandparents and even parents, Millennials aren’t likely to stay with one employer for their entire career. In fact, by the time they hit thirty, some GenY workers have already had experience with several companies under their belt. Millennials are job hoppers in essence. That means companies have to work harder to retain young workers, often offering lifestyle perks that weren’t on the table years ago. And for workers, it means more flexibility; you no remain in a job for three years if the company’s not right for you.

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Becoming an Entrepeneur has skyrocketed during the pandemic because so many people lost their job or their companies deployed furlough. Moreover, as GenY watched their parents work their lives away, the workplace’s newer employees want time to develop their personal lives and interests outside of work. They also wish to work itself to be fulfilling, not just a pay check. Employers trying to compete for well-sought talent are meeting these demands in creative ways, offering at-work perks like food and laundry service or giving workers the option of a sabbatical.

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Online branding of individuals is affecting industries across the board, as well as the job-search process. Making a name for yourself is more innovative than ever in this volatile economy, increasing your chances that someone who knows of you will come to you with a job rather than you having to look for one when you need it. Especially since the newest generation of workers tend to hop from one company to another, it makes sense to brand yourself rather than (or in addition to) your employer. Covid-10 and the recession have shifted workplace and advertising once and for all.

Adapted from: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2011/08/09/6-ways-the-world-of-work-is-changing