New technology makes telecommuting easier than ever before. However, also due to new technology, the ability of work to impinge upon leisure time has also increased exponentially, raising ethical questions about the extent to which workers can be required to be connected to the office 24-7.
Thirdly, changes in skill requirements demand that workers are more technically capable than ever before, so they can adapt to changes in technology that will likely occur over the duration of their employment. Job specifications are less detailed -- organizations are looking for candidates with a wide variety of capabilities and the flexibility to change. Additionally, employers are looking for strong interpersonal qualities and the ability to work well on a team -- qualities which are even more essential in service-based public works organizations. In one study, nearly three-quarters of employers complained of deficiencies amongst new hires in skills "such as professionalism and work ethic, defined as demonstrating personal accountability, effective work habits, e.g. punctuality, working productively with others, time and workload management" (Most...
workforce lack critical skills essential for success, 2006, Partnership for 20th century skills).
It is necessary for employers to stress interpersonal qualities in recruitment efforts, and also to try to instill skills such as tolerance, cooperation, and creative thinking in recent and new hires. Training is an ongoing process, both in the social adjustments demanded by diversity, and also to cope with the diverse skills and attributes required to thrive in the marketplace today.
References
Managing diversity. (2006). Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD).
Retrieved May 25, 2011 at http://resources.greatplacetowork.com/article/pdf/managing_diversity.pdf
Most young people entering the U.S. workforce lack critical skills essential for success. (2006).
Partnership for 20th century skills. Retrieved May 25, 2011 at http://www.p21.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=250&Itemid=64
Payne, Joan. (2009). Human resource management for public and nonprofit organizations.
Jossey-Bassey.
