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Over the past decade, the nature of employment has undergone significant transformation. A growing number of individuals now work from the comfort of their homes, while others choose freelance work that allows them to select assignments at their own convenience. Moreover, many of these arrangements are negotiated directly between individuals and their employers.
On the whole, these changes have had a positive impact, as they have enabled people to better balance their work and personal lives. Individuals now have more opportunities to pursue work that aligns with their passions and interests. These transformations have largely been driven by advancements in technology.
Not too long ago, making a long-distance phone call was prohibitively expensive, and many white-collar professions necessitated extensive travel to conduct face-to-face meetings. However, today we can effortlessly video-chat with anyone, anywhere in the world, with just a few clicks on our mobile devices or computers.
The culture surrounding work has also evolved. Workers have become more assertive in demanding flexible arrangements. The two-year-long COVID-19 pandemic lockdown has played a significant role in accelerating these changes. Many individuals who had never worked remotely before the pandemic were suddenly thrust into remote work and discovered that it was just as effective as working from an office, if not more so. As a result, only 7 percent of workers were remote before the pandemic, whereas approximately a third of workers now embrace remote or hybrid work arrangements, according to a recent Pew Research Center poll.
Today, with a few clicks on our mobile devices or computers, we can video-chat with people near or far, even on other continents, for as long as we need to. (iStock)
Overall, these changes have had a positive impact on the majority of workers. Walking away from traditional work arrangements does not equate to walking away from work altogether. In fact, the official unemployment rate in the U.S. currently sits at around 3.5 percent, the lowest it has ever been. Additionally, wages have been steadily rising, increasing by 4.4 percent in the past year, according to the Labor Department.
These wage increases were not a result of minimum wage hikes, but rather a reflection of heightened competition for talent. Even with a 3.5 percent unemployment rate, employers struggle to fill positions and have been compelled to offer higher wages and better benefits.
Unfortunately, some proposed legislation, such as the Biden administration’s crackdown on “worker misclassification,” seeks to limit these newfound freedoms. The individuals supposedly misclassified are often those who choose to freelance for gig economy companies. This refusal to adapt to the changes in the workforce seeks to force workers into outdated and unsuitable rules and regulations, favored by traditional industries, unions, and regulators.
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While there may be lingering labor conflicts, many unions view this as an opportune moment to push for further advancements. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, for example, predicted that UPS would cave to their demands due to the tight labor market. The Teamsters’ prediction proved correct, and autoworkers are also exerting similar pressure on car manufacturers.
People have more opportunities to pursue the type of work they would ideally like to do. These changes happened in part because of new technology.
In late August, Hollywood actors and writers went on strike due to the shift away from traditional broadcast and home video outlets towards subscription-based streaming services, which has not been as financially rewarding for them.
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Television seasons have become shorter, with many series now producing only ten episodes per season instead of the previous standard of over 20 episodes. Consequently, many industry professionals find themselves working less. While a new agreement between writers/actors and studios will eventually be reached, it is essential for them to acknowledge and accept the changing landscape of the industry.
That being said, the majority of changes in the nature of work over the past decade have benefitted individual workers. According to the Center for Economic Policy Research, the shift to remote work since 2021 has given the average American worker an additional 55 minutes of free time per week, simply by eliminating the commute. This provides an extra hour to spend with loved ones or engage in personal activities. As we celebrate Labor Day, this is certainly a development worth acknowledging and appreciating.
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