Working hours from Monday to Friday, eight hours a day with an hour for lunch are still common in many professions. For some time now, however, a model has been gaining popularity that competes with the traditional 9-to-5 job. We took a look at this idea and explain what's behind the term "New Work" is. In addition, there are a few tips for implementation in this article right away.
Are traditional work models still effective?
Because more and more people would probably answer this question with "no", there has been movement on the subject for some time now. The term "New Work" gathers flexible, collaborative, and technology-driven ways of working that are more likely to meet the demands of the modern economy and a person's ability to perform at his or her best. The concept was originally developed in the 1970s by the American-Austrian philosopher Frithjof Bergmann as a counter-model to capitalism.
Today, New Work focuses on creating a work environment that fosters creativity, innovation and productivity. The approach is intended to shift the focus away from hours spent in the office and toward results. The concept emphasizes three elementary points.
This is what "New Work" is all about
One of the most important principles of "New Work" is the "work-life balance. Employees should prioritize their private lives and well-being instead of damaging their health through long working hours and mentally or physically demanding activities. It's about balancing employment and leisure time to ultimately work in a more engaging way.
Another important aspect is teamwork. Employees should collaborate more, share ideas and resources, and work on open communication rather than creating or competing alone. This can lead to more innovation and creativity as well as a stronger sense of community in the workplace. In addition to teamwork, the individual employee should be given more responsibility and decision-making power to feel empowered in his or her actions.
"New Work also typically focuses on the use of technology to support and enhance the work experience. This can include the use of tools such as project management software, but also the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate routine tasks and give employees more time for more important tasks.
Introducing "New Work": concrete ideas for companies
Health, teamwork and new technologies in the workplace – sounds promising, of course. However, as is often the case with these types of trends, the buzzword quickly becomes a buzzword in the room or a plus in the company catalog, while being built more on the hype than the necessary substance. Therefore the implementation should be planned carefully beforehand. Depending on the size and industry, the requirements differ, of course, but there are some universal tips.
- Define what the concept means for you and your company and which areas could benefit from it
- Create a plan for implementation that combines the needs of the employees and the goals of the company
- Inform your employees about the changes and offer support
- Monitor the results of the New-Work implementation and make adjustments if needed