Future of Work After World

Future of Work

After World War II and the transformation of America into a nation of commuters, suburbs, and modern technologies (television, the kitchen, etc.), and particularly after the personal computer and cellular technology improved many popular newspapers and magazines predicted that Americans would have more leisure time and be less stressed by work. Ironically, this has not been the case, in fact, in the last few decades the amount of time Americans spend at their jobs has increased, in many urban areas commuting time has doubled, and has far less free time than in the 1940s and 1950s.

Work, too, has changed. As we have seen, there are a significant number of people who are working -- but barely able to make a living -- the working poor. In contrast, Middle and Upper class Americans consumer twice as much as their grandparents did, spend a higher portion of their income, and spend more time shopping for material goods. Overworking has social consequences, too -- leaving parents with limited time with their children, more stress, marital issues, and stress-related illness.

Ideally, many predict that with the advent of technology and social networks, faster internet speeds, and increasing attention towards globalization, work may evolve to become what you do rather than the place you go. If we think logically about that, does it not make more sense to staff one's company with the right people, the right mix, and the right expertise for the product or service in question? Technology can, and has, moved people closer together -- it is just habit and real estate that keep work the same status quo. Instead, the future of work may not be 8-5, likely will not, since time zones shift. Other than jobs like restaurants and auto mechanics, etc. where equipment may be necessary or service on the spot may also need to change based on ideal locations for housing dwellers. More work from home or collaborative efforts may actually allow families more time together or even more leisure, life-long learning, or personal development time.

Part 2 - According to the text there are several pivotal work trends that will change the nature of work globally: 1) the spread of computer (microprocessor) technology; 2) increased competition in the global economy, and 3) more and more women moving into paid labor and increasing numbers of people searching for work.

Technology -- Computer technology has revolutionized the workplace since the 1960s, and particularly with the advent of multigenerational processes and the Internet. This increased division of labor activities and contributed to more of a knowledge economy for some, but a loss of jobs for others based on mechanization of labor. The fact that technology changes so rapidly, though, has destabilized some workers and forced patterns of work to evolve and restructure geographically (outsourcing, etc.).

Competition -- Competition is now global in aspect, not regional or even by country. Because different countries have different laws and different cultural and economic patterns, many areas can compete to the nth degree due to their particular resources. For instance, many Asian countries have such an abundance of people that wages are low in production of clothing to the point that First World countries can no longer compete with their manufacturing bids. A company can employee a factory of 100 people for less than the price of one U.S. worker.