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The Mutually Welcomed Restructuring of the Worker-Business Relationship
If you haven’t already noticed, things are changing in business. Whether we’re talking big corporations or small startups, the way they interact with their employees is specifically undergoing a mini-revolution. This restructuring of the worker-business relationship may sound like an uncertain step in an unknown direction, but the truth is this change is welcomed by the majority of both businesses and employees alike.
Here are the ways in which this restructuring is mutually welcomed by both companies and their workers:
Short-term assignments
Commonly referred to as “the gig economy”, businesses which employ people on a short-term assignment basis rather than through long-term hiring is honestly nothing new. The only difference is that it’s gotten easier and more practical thanks to the internet and mobile technology. While most people think of Uber and GrubHub when they hear about the gig economy, the truth is this new business model encompasses a wide variety of fields and professions. For instance, traveling medical jobs for nurses and other highly trained medical experts are done on a short-term assignment basis. This gives companies and individuals more freedom to manage their affairs and better organize their day-to-day workflow.
Remote workforce
The advent of the remote workforce in recent years is undoubtedly a product of the internet and accessibility to mobile devices. For companies, remote workers mean a far larger talent pool to draw from as they hire new staff, as well as the potential for opening branch locations across the world. For employees, this arrangement means being able to work from wherever they want, so long as there is a reliable internet connection present. The trend of relying on a remote workforce is appealing to both businesses and staff due to these benefits.
Flexible hours
Another trend catching on in the business world which serves both companies and workers alike is the option to have flexible hours. Productivity is not judged on an hourly or even daily basis, but a weekly or bi-weekly basis, allowing staff to set their own work schedules so long as their deadlines are met. This allows management to focus on more pressing issues besides checking in with employees every few hours. While this arrangement presents some communications issues, given the potential for employees to be at work when management is at home, the benefits outweigh the hiccups.
Reduced formality
Many modern companies are reassessing their workplace policies and most employees couldn’t be happier. Formalities mean enforcing them, and enforcement means spending company time and money. From the employee point-of-view, dress codes and similar policies are an added source of stress on top of their actual job responsibilities. For these reasons, cutting back on workplace formalities as much as possible without compromising the quality of the work serves the interests of both companies and their employees. It’s therefore no surprise this trend has been catching on in recent years.
Low overhead
The ultimate benefit of these changes - from a business point-of-view - is the reduced overhead of running a company. The costs of renting office space, furnishing it, maintaining it, and so forth are often slashed if not outright avoided when these new policies are implemented. What’s more, employees aren’t made to commit to starting a life in a new city, they can save money on commuting costs and clothes, and best of all they can organize their workflow to maximize earnings potential.
The current changes happening to the business-worker relationship are generally well-received by both sides. This is a very good sign for companies with their formative years ahead of them, as well as those which have been around for a while.
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