The pandemic, as horrible as it is, has been a wake-up call. It has shaken us out of our complacency. We have begun looking into the way we live in ours. Many of us have concluded that our jobs were mere impasses, and quit during the “Great Resignation” wave. This mass exodus shows that people no longer want to spend their lives doing work they don’t like and will search for opportunities that offer a sense of purpose.
The advent of remote work has shown that it is fruitful for both employees and management. It’s a good idea to see what other standardly acknowledged practices should be changed for the future of work. So for what other reason is it important to work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., five days per week, in a cubicle far under harsh lights, with little to no access to window views, poor ventilation?
The recent shift toward remote work has also shifted to other areas of our work lives. The coronavirus pandemic-induced remote work experience has proven to be an undisputed success. Companies, such as Google, Facebook, Apple and Microsoft, recorded profits. The stock market has hit all-time highs. Studies have proven that workers spend longer hours glued to their home desks working into the night and during weekends. Their productivity was – beyond a shadow of a doubt – remarkable.
The change in 9-to-5 is on its heels. The Millennial and Gen-Z generations watched their parents face job burnout again and again. They saw them laid off, disregarded for promotions and leading lives in distress. They don’t want this for themselves. Being stuck within a cubicle farm feels boorish to the younger generations. They are seeking flexibility and control over their hours. Eventually the Baby Boomers, who have spent all of their lives repeating the 9-to-5 grind and are so used to the cycle, will retire.
Employers shouldn’t wait that the baton will be passed to future leaders. They should act now by rolling out changes to the 9-to-5 structure. Middle management may not be ecstatic, as they’ll lose a portion of their significant powers, however, the workers will be happy.
With the Great Resignation taking place, it’s evident that workers are making quite a statement. If they feel unappreciated in the workplace, they’ll walk out and find a new gig. Progressive companies will leave their 9-to-5 schedules, in a bid to attract top talent.