What 'the Future of Work' Means for Jobseekers

What 'the Future of Work' Means for Jobseekers

In the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, we have witnessed a significant shake-up in how we work. In fact, the pandemic has come and revolutionized jobs and what we’ve known working to be and entail. Social distancing and lockdowns have meant that the workforce is becoming more technologically driven, and many jobs that require manual handling of tasks can now be automated. Additionally, more people are working remotely or in a hybrid set-up instead of going to a physical office daily.

So, what will the future look like if that’s the reality of our workforce?

Future of work – what it means

Simply put, “the future of work” refers to how we project jobs, workplaces, and workers to be in the future. Indeed, the labor market has undergone plenty of changes over the last few decades. Still, this distinct rise in technology and digitalization of the workplace has really driven and transformed the modern workplace. With new innovations and sophisticated technology becoming even more prevalent and available, it has led many to wonder how this will impact the future of work, considering it already has had a significant effect on the current market. There’s no wonder why businesses are trying to better understand these changes and what impact they will have on their company and employees down the track.

Automation and the “new normal.”

A 2020 research report on the future of work noted that 85% of jobs that will exist in 2030 have not been invented yet. Moreover, some experts claim that the world of work will never be the same given the rise of digitization and the emergence of virtual workplaces. Powerful new technologies are shaping workplaces and how we carry out our work. It has been found that about half the activities people are paid to do could be automated entirely using current technologies. We have already seen the popularity of workplace automation software, doing everything from streamlining time-consuming manual tasks to automatic invoice imports, eliminating the need for admin, and making businesses more productive and profitable. And while automation is essential and useful in both the current market, it is not the only factor that will influence the future of work.

Trends that are shaping the future of work

Let’s now take a look at some of the emerging trends that are likely to become more critical and relevant in the coming years and decades:

Remote work and a gig economy

The future of work will see a higher prevalence of freelancing and the gig economy. Remote work has become incredibly popular in the past couple of years. At first, it was out of necessity. Now, companies are acknowledging the remote benefits working brings not only to the efficiency of their business but to the productivity and quality of life of their employees. 68% of CFOs say crisis-driven transitions to remote work will make their company better in the long run.

Currently, 40% of companies say they plan to accelerate the adoption of new working methods. Additionally, the gig economy will see the prevalence of contract-type jobs, including on-call and temporary workers. The success of enterprises like Uber has shown that the gig economy works and fits the future of work. Undoubtedly, both the gig economy and freelancing will challenge conventional organizational structures in the future.

Digitization

Workplace digitization has enabled more effective ways to work, increasing productivity, employee collaboration, engagement, and the way projects and tasks are managed. A digital workplace utilizes digital tools and technology to assist in everyday tasks and business-related ventures. A digitized workplace is the future, from virtual meetings to harnessing analytics to gaining insights into a company’s performance.

Companies that fail to adopt new technologies and assisted devices, such as AI-enabled tech, will fall behind the competition. Digitization leads to innovations that can change the world for the better. For example, telehealth services have enabled patients to access healthcare from the comfort of their own homes. At a retail level, digitization has improved the customer experience by delivering tailored services and enhanced experiences, including VR and AR technology.

Changing roles

The rise of the virtual workplace has emphasized the importance of leadership. Over the past couple of years, we have seen how much of a difference that leadership makes in creating and maintaining a healthier workplace. Leaders play a crucial role in building trust in their workplace and maintaining a sense of order and efficiency. A good leader can help their team and stakeholders to get through difficult times or crises and build rapport. Therefore, if the future of work does favor remote job models, then prioritizing leadership roles is even more critical.

Inclusivity

Workplace inclusivity is a work environment accepting all people regardless of age, sexual orientation, race, religion, gender/gender identity, disability status, etc. Workplaces of the past have tended to marginalize people based on age group or physical ability. We’re seeing a positive change in how workplaces operate, focusing on inclusion and acceptance and reducing that human tendency toward bias and stereotyping. Companies with inclusive leadership are shown to have better employee retention, stronger team relationships, and a higher reputation in the workforce.

Conclusion

The future workforce is likely to expand as technology, globalization, and increased workplace flexibility blur the boundaries of old, traditional workplace norms. The rise of remote working means that people no longer have to work where they live, and theoretically, they can be employed by a company based anywhere in the world. It also means that there is a possibility of the traditional 9-5, 5-day work week being discarded as technology and increased centralization allows for collaboration at any time. Leveraging the above trends can help companies move into this future and harness the potential benefits it can bring.

This article was written by Taylor Machuca-Koniw for HackerNoon and was edited and published with permission.