Five predictions for how we will work in 2010 and beyond (part one of a series Part Two)
In a recent Harvard Business Blog Review, "Predictions for 2010: Five changes in the way of working," Tammy Erickson author reflects on the impact of the 2008/2009 recession on workers to predict the evolution of work in 2010 and beyond. He argues that these trends began in the recession of 1981, with his extensive use of redundancies in the workplace. And this most recent, serious recession as a result not only of millions of jobs, but also saw many employers using wage cuts and furloughs in the workplace to mitigate the job eliminations.
The following are five predictions Ms. Erickson for the progress of work in 2010 and beyond. My comments in italics after each prediction.
1). "Two-norm jobs, more people will remain two sources of income than ever before. Instead of relying on the holy grail of former employment – paid employment, with benefits – Workers will be a series of backup options. For many, especially the creation or knowledge-based work is likely to include becoming entrepreneurs. A second job or even a small business venture provides a safety net, giving workers a small measure of control over their fate in a increasingly unstable environment.
This prediction has come true already. How many of us hold several jobs or meet friends and family members working more than one job to support themselves?
Earlier this month, Careerbuilder.compublished results of a satisfaction survey at work and loyalty to the firm adopted by more than 5,200 workers in November 2009. A key finding was that 8% of workers took a second job in 2009 to supplement their income. This trend is expected to grow in 2010, with 19% of employees planning to find a second job this year. Clearly, the results of this survey show that employees feel more insecure about their jobs. This shows they are taking steps to become more independent, higher more skills or educational progress, or switch industries to enhance their employment prospects and options.
2). "Under" outside hours "of work – Recession management approaches that made full-time employees take a day a week" off "planted some new questions in the minds of the employees who had been working virtually 24×7. What is a "day"? Eight hours? Twenty percent of the time normally work each week? For many, these issues inevitably lead to: If you only want to work four days a week, why I'm working more than 32 hours? …. I expect to see more push back this year – partly because many people will be the time for advancing their second choice of work. "
The line between work and home is increasingly blurred as time goes on. Whether you are working full time for an employer, starting your own business, doing work community volunteer, networking, obtaining advanced certifications and / or degrees, is all the work. And come home to their second …. The only problem I see is the exhaustion factor. There are only 24 hours every day …
Timothy Ferriss' newly expanded bestselling book shows countless corporate refugees who seek alternative work lives only in how. In "The 4 hour work week," business and outlines a plan of action that enables entrepreneurs to become "digital nomads", accountable only to themselves and their customers, independent and able to work anywhere they choose.
3). "The discretionary power of energy – the commitment has been a hot topic in circles of talent management in the last decade. But its benefits have mainly focused on attracting and retaining employees. Increasingly, the focus of managers will move to the discretionary power of an employee – in competition with other priorities in the life of the employee, including other options for the job -, but will also compete against employees who are just "going through the motions." More and more work in today's economy can not be done remotely – that success requires a spark of extra effort, creativity, collaboration and innovation. "
I have mixed feelings in this prediction. First, are there any "bad left working in corporate America? I can not imagine that there are still many workers they are just "going through the motions."
Turning to his next point, there is more to life than work, as we all know. While all We must work for a living, we have other demands on our time, energy, and interests. So yes, work with passion and dedication in a field that is meaningful and satisfying, but we need to balance work with our demands for the lives of others for decades in our careers and our lives evolve.
In any case, employees are less loyal now than two years before the recession began. The layoffs, reductions in the budgets of the merits, the cuts to benefits, licensing, and the increasing workload, have contributed to a reduction in employer loyalty. And it affected the family of those who were directly affected by these practices with our youth to question and challenge the traditional employment relationship.
The balance in the employment relationship to be restored to the loyalty to change. And that balance is distinguished by the employee in each company in the United States, based on their individual experience especially in recent years.
Stay tuned for Part II of the series of Ms. Erickson's final two predictions of how we will work in 2010 and beyond ….
Copyright 2010
About the Author
Becky Regan is the founder and President of Regan HR, Inc., a human resources consulting firm specializing in compensation consulting for California employers and purveyor of online HR products. A former Corporate Human Resources Director (10,000+ employees) with more than 25 years of HR work experience in many industries, her team works with private, public and non-profit clients. Becky is passionate about designing HR programs and compensation plans that build organizations.
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