New Work: Ideas, Concepts & Tips

Published: April 11, 2019

New Work is a frequently cited term, and not just since today. For supporters of the concept, New Work brings the long-needed change towards a modern working world. For skeptics, it is just another theory whose approaches do not stand up to practice. With the outbreak of the coronavirus crisis in 2020, many approaches to the New Work concept suddenly became reality. Since then, the question of how we will work in the future has been discussed more intensively than ever. Many believe that the time has finally come in the current phase for New Work to be implemented across the board. So what exactly is behind the term?

What does New Work mean?

The term New Work goes back to the social philosopher Frithjof Bergmann, who dealt with the philosophical question of the meaning of work and the human desire for freedom. Today, New Work is associated with a fundamental change in the world of work and a breaking up of old structures.

Bergmann came to the conclusion that in the future the employee would have to be the focus of attention. Because if people see a purpose in their work and feel valued in their wishes and achievements, they are more satisfied, more productive and, as a result, more successful in what they do.

Components of New Work Concepts

The concept focuses on six basic factors that originate from classic structures in the working world, but reinterprets them:

Flexibility
Flat hierarchies
Agility
Digitalization and
Individuality with
new office concepts

in the working environment.

Flexibility

In this structure, flexibility not only stands for flexible working hours that accommodate employees' lifestyles, but also for variable workplaces that enable effective work as well as rapid adaptation to new situations.

Due to the Corona crisis, the topic of flexibility gained enormous importance when numerous companies had to send their employees to home offices. While in some companies, such as start-ups and tech companies, location- and time-independent remote work was already the order of the day before the crisis, others faced the major challenge of implementing decentralized work in their organization from one moment to the next. The advantages of flexible work soon became visible, while many of the fears proved unfounded.

The discussion about how flexibility can be enabled for employees in the company is currently being discussed under the term “Hybrid Work”. A return to the status quo as it existed before the crisis will no longer exist from the perspective of both employees and employers. Various studies show that the majority want to experience more flexibility at work in the future. Nevertheless, most companies are looking for the hybrid model that suits their organization.

Flat hierarchies

New Work also involves replacing traditional management structures. New Work is based on a modern, democratic management culture that promotes trusting cooperation on an equal footing with employees through short decision-making processes.

Collaboration at eye level follows the approach "The best idea wins". It is not crucial whether the idea or suggestion for improvement comes from the intern or the managing director. The only thing that matters is what leads to the best result. This approach not only contributes to the company's success, but also has positive effects on employees in the form of participation and appreciation.

Agility

The world is in a state of constant and ever-accelerating change. This is especially true for the economy. Companies must therefore be able to react quickly to new and/or unforeseen requirements. Agility includes the redesign of structures and work processes to make them adaptable for the future. Technological progress and digitization are the drivers of change on the one hand, but also form the basis for more agile ways of working.

The importance of agile processes was also evident during the Corona period. Companies that had already become more agile in the past had a clear competitive advantage over others, while companies with rigid structures were in danger of losing touch.

Digitalization

Successful digitalization is one of the most important prerequisites for the success of new working models. The range of smart technology only forms the basis for the digital transformation of the entire organization.

A digital infrastructure enables employees to access data and documents at any time and from any location. In addition, there are suitable tools for communicating and collaborating regardless of location.

A frequently underestimated factor is digital competence. Digitalization can only succeed if employees are enabled to use technology and applications productively and efficiently.

Individuality

New Work allows employees to contribute their commitment and talents to the world of work in a completely new context. Instead of just receiving orders, learning and performance goals are independently determined and employees are actively involved in strategy development and work process optimizations. Mutual learning in the team as well as cross-team activities are supported through open communication.

Greater responsibility for and trust in employees are fundamental building blocks that lead to more freedom for the individual. As a result, the intrinsic motivation of employees increases, which leads to rising productivity and thus positive effects for the company.

New office concepts

A new way of working also changes the demands on the working environment. In addition to flexibility, the design of the office of the future is the second key aspect of the debate surrounding hybrid work.

The classic office landscape with individual or open-plan offices is outdated in times of New Work. As distributed working becomes the norm, employees will in the future choose the location that is best suited for their respective task and their daily schedule. As a result, the office becomes a multi-space. This enables concentrated work, offers not only space but also the right equipment for creative exchange, and promotes collaboration.

At the same time, home offices, workstations and variable workplaces, supplemented by flexible time management, ensure a good work-life balance, which makes employees more satisfied and motivated.

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What are the main advantages and disadvantages of New Work?

The major benefits for companies include not only improved teamwork, indirect training of employees in new subject areas and increased satisfaction, which results in less absenteeism and more motivation, but also the performance and speed with which upcoming requirements are dealt with in day-to-day work with customers, projects and work assignments.

The new working structure only has disadvantages where the necessary flexibility and short decision-making paths cannot be implemented due to strict hierarchies. The implementation also requires some preparation on the part of the company, for example in the form of extended office equipment (modern technology, adaptable furniture in the office, creation of retreat areas and team workstations in the company premises, etc.) and, last but not least, the necessary openness and willingness of employees to see the new concept in the New Work culture as an opportunity for great changes.

How does the introduction of New Work succeed?

The introduction of a new work concept in many companies means a radical break with previous structures. A change cannot logically succeed overnight. Rather, the implementation requires

careful planning
continuous monitoring of the status and
Regular adaptation and rejection of approaches and processes.

For this, it is important to involve all employees in the decisions at all times. A system that is only dictated from above is doomed to failure from the start. New Work can only succeed if it is lived daily by everyone involved. Simply redesigning the office and using digital tools can therefore only be the first step. Because only the interaction of the people involved, the organization and the digital possibilities make New Work a success for your company.

The support of external experts can often simplify the introduction of the New Work concept. Many agencies have specialized in providing employees and managers with the knowledge and tools they need for their daily work. As an expert in office equipment and management, Lendis supports you in making your workspaces fit for the future of work.

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Eric Grieben

Here, Eric Grieben, Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Lendis, writes. Eric is responsible for the heart of Lendis. With his team, he ensures the smooth running of the entire logistics and ensures the high service quality for our customers. In his articles, he shares his knowledge to equip working environments and employees for maximum productivity.