New Work

Careers: Why get into an Old work model when you can choose to do New Work

In the past, work was often viewed as a means of survival and financial stability, and employees were expected to adhere to strict schedules and hierarchical structures. The focus was primarily on productivity and efficiency, and work-life balance and employee well-being were not as highly prioritized. However, over time, attitudes towards work have changed, and there has been a growing emphasis on the importance of work-life balance, employee well-being, and flexibility. This has led to the emergence of new work environments that prioritize these factors, such as remote work, flexible schedules, and flat hierarchies.

In this paper, I will discuss a recent study (2023) that compares the work-life balance, remote work, self-scheduling, flexible working hours, starting salary, and flat hierarchies in a new work environment with those of an old work environment. The study aims to examine whether the new work environment is superior to the old work environment in terms of the aforementioned factors.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the new work environment, which emphasizes flexibility, self-determination, and flat hierarchies over authoritarian structures. This approach has been viewed as a more effective way of achieving a healthy work-life balance, improving employee satisfaction and productivity, and reducing turnover rates. In contrast, the old work environment is characterized by mandatory office hours, strict schedules, and hierarchical structures.

The study involved a survey of employees working in both the new and old work environments. The survey assessed the employees' perceptions of their work-life balance, the benefits and drawbacks of remote work, the advantages and disadvantages of self-scheduling and flexible working hours, the starting salary, and the hierarchical structure of their workplace.

The findings indicate that the new work environment is indeed superior to the old work environment in terms of work-life balance, remote work, self-scheduling, flexible working hours, starting salary, and flat hierarchies. Employees in the new work environment reported higher levels of satisfaction with their work-life balance, and they also reported feeling less stressed and more productive. Additionally, remote work was found to be highly beneficial, with employees reporting that it enabled them to save time and money on commuting, while also allowing them to work from the comfort of their homes.

Furthermore, employees in the new work environment had more control over their schedules, which allowed them to better balance their work and personal lives. This was in contrast to the old work environment, where employees had to adhere to strict schedules and mandatory office hours, which often resulted in work-life conflicts.

Moreover, the study found that employees in the new work environment had a higher starting salary compared to their counterparts in the old work environment. This suggests that the new work environment values and rewards its employees more than the old work environment.

Finally, the study found that the new work environment's flat hierarchies were highly valued by employees, who reported feeling more empowered and engaged in their work. In contrast, the old work environment's authoritarian structures were seen as limiting and stifling by employees.

This study demonstrates that the new work environment is superior to the old work environment in terms of work-life balance, remote work, self-scheduling, flexible working hours, starting salary, and flat hierarchies. It is suggested that companies should consider adopting the new work environment approach to improve their employees' work-life balance, increase their productivity and satisfaction, and reduce their turnover rates.

A 2021 survey

According to a survey conducted by Buffer in 2021, remote work has become an increasingly popular trend with 98% of the survey respondents indicating that they would like to work remotely at least some of the time for the rest of their careers. This indicates a strong preference for remote work and suggests that the benefits of remote work, such as improved work-life balance and flexibility, are widely recognized and valued by employees.

Another survey conducted by FlexJobs in 2021 found that flexible scheduling is a top priority for employees, with 62% of respondents indicating that they would choose a job with flexible scheduling options over one with a higher salary. This suggests that employees prioritize work-life balance and the ability to control their schedules over monetary compensation.

Furthermore, a survey conducted by McKinsey in 2021 found that flat hierarchies are becoming increasingly popular among employees. The survey found that 83% of employees prefer a less hierarchical organizational structure, while only 17% prefer a more traditional hierarchical structure. This suggests that flat hierarchies are becoming more prevalent in the modern workplace and are viewed positively by employees.

Overall, these recent surveys support the discussion above that the new work environment, which emphasizes remote work, flexible scheduling, and flat hierarchies, is becoming increasingly popular and valued by employees for the benefits it provides, including improved work-life balance, flexibility, and greater control over their schedules.