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?
Components of the New Work concepts
- Flexibility
- flat hierarchies
- Agility
- Digitization and
- Individuality with
- new office concepts
Flexibility
Due to the coronavirus crisis, the topic of flexibility became hugely important when numerous companies had to send their employees to work from home. 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 were faced with the major challenge of implementing decentralized working in their organization from one day to the next. The benefits of flexible working soon became apparent, while many of the fears proved unfounded.
The discussion about the form in which flexibility can be made possible for employees in the company is currently being discussed under the term "hybrid work". Both employees and employers believe that there will no longer be a return to the status quo that existed before the crisis. Various studies show that the majority want more flexibility at work in the future. Nevertheless, most companies are still searching for the right hybrid model for their organization.
Flat hierarchies
Agility
The world is in a state of permanent and ever faster change. This also applies to the economy. Companies must therefore be able to react quickly to new and/or unforeseen requirements. Agility involves redesigning structures and work processes to make them adaptable for the future. Technological progress and digitalization are the drivers of change on the one hand, but also form the basis for more agile ways of working.
Digitization
One factor that is often underestimated is digital skills. Digitalization can only succeed if employees are enabled to use technology and applications productively and efficiently.
Individuality
New office concepts
A new way of working is also changing the demands on the working environment. Alongside flexibility, the design of the office of the future is the second key aspect of the hybrid work debate.
At the same time, working from home, workstations and variable workplaces supplemented by free time management ensure a good work-life balance, which makes employees happier and more 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?
In many companies, the introduction of a New Work concept means a radical break with previous structures. Logically, change cannot happen overnight. Rather, the implementation requires
- Careful planning
- continuous monitoring of the status and
- Regular adaptation and rejection of approaches and processes.
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