WORLD OF WORK
This page presents a collection of articles about the ever-changing world of work.
THE NEW WAY OF WORK – MODULAR STYLE
Casual and part-time work and contracting out work are a good thing? Yes. Resourceful people are taking advantage of these and many of the other fundamental changes in our workplaces and bucking the seemingly daily reporting of how dissatisfied people are with their work, boss, company, co-workers, etc. A new type of worker is here, the Modular Worker.
The what? The Modular Worker pieces together several sources of income such as part-time, contract jobs and freelance work to form a portfolio career. Usually they find the varied work more satisfying, more flexible to meet family responsibilities or personal goals (study, travel, hobbies, etc) and is often more financially rewarding.
Usually the work that makes up the portfolio (aka modules) have links and potentially support the others, they are not a random selection. An example: an accountant who worked for a medium sized business decides to start a consulting business that provides specialist business management advice to small and medium businesses (core module), teaches business studies part-time at the local university campus (which provides a regular income) and he is able to stay home and look after his young children 2 days per week.
It is not for the serial job-security seeker but for those that are flexible and want flexibility, looking for variety and wanting to learn new things; this is a great way to work.
TOO MUCH INFORMATION
Are you one of the millions of people who put information on a social networking site like MySpace or Facebook? Have you ever thought about who is reading it? Thousands of people around the world are finding out that employers, police, universities and courts are also watching when you diss your boss, break the law, say you were in one place and were actually somewhere else and behave outrageously.
Many have lost jobs, lost court cases, been charged with offences, lost sponsorship, not been short listed for jobs and denied entry into university. In fact software is now being developed to automate the snooping process.
What many don’t realise is that funny picture of you running around naked and drunk at a friend's birthday party when you were 20 remains available via search engines even if you have deleted it. Scary but true. Next time you are sharing your thoughts and photos, take a second to think about whom else you might be sharing it with.
THE EMERGING WORKPLACE
For many, the workplace is ruled by organisational charts, reporting lines, departments or business units and position descriptions. It is characterised by its structured approach with set and predictable tasks for people to complete.
What is being seen as the emerging norm of the future is very different. Work will be a set of projects being completed by a group of people who have the skills, knowledge and competencies needed. People move from project to project, not necessarily for the same company.
It will require people to move beyond choosing one job or career for life. People will need to gain a clear understanding of their talents and interests and how these might be applied to the changing work that is available throughout their working life.