Work is changing everywhere, and it’s messing with our lives
Companies are splitting into two groups:
Companies that prefer you to be in the office daily, and work long hours, all about speed and hustle. They believe faster and better when they are together in person. However, a lot of employees become stressed, exhausted, and even sick. We saw OpenAI (the big AI company) close for a week because their people were exhausted. Many good people leave these companies, and it is getting harder to find new workers
Others that provide greater flexibility: work at home, flexible hours, focus on results, not time in the chair. Workers here are more likely to stay, are happier (57% more satisfied), and companies lose fewer people (25% less turnover). However, remote work is not ideal as well. Some feel lonely and at times you may be left out of promotions or salary increment, especially when you are a woman or have a family to care for
Are we creating a healthy future of work or new methods of burnout? Are these so-called flexible jobs fair to all or are we creating a new form of workplace inequality? How can we make work better not just to the company but to real people?
This depends, in part, on the type of work a person wants to do. Some people like or dislike both. It's not easy, and sometimes impossible, to ensure 100% employee satisfaction. Therefore, expectations and outcomes are crucial.
There are workplaces that offer the option of working from home or at work. Employees can choose their preferred working style, which increases workplace satisfaction, but the number of workplaces that offer this option is quite low. I believe the main adjustments should be made to working hours. Working hours are too long, and this is the biggest factor reducing employee satisfaction.