Changing 9 to 5 working style

To change or not to change is more completed than “To be or not to be” of Shakespeare. Change is needed. The change we experienced in the last 3 years in phenomenal. Our world has changed overnight. We adapted and evolved. It goes down the history as an event that changed the course of human history. But I am skeptical about 9 to 5 change. Not that I don’t like. I like it very much and I welcome it. I only feel that it’s not possible for everyone and every sector. We have ingrained 9 to 5 culture as though it is part of human genome. I cannot think of my daily schedule other than 9 to 5. Work for 5 days a week and look forward to the paycheck on 31st.

Industrial Revolution changed the very fabric of the society. People were working 12 to 14 hours. May be more. Average person is working for an Employer unlike before. Which means you have no control on the working hours. Workforce no longer own the product or service. Less bargaining power. Yet, that propelled economic activity. Increased average income. Living conditions have improved. Women were doing 2 jobs. Domestic and farming.

Baby Boomers are hardworking and work centric. They can endure long work weeks and value professional achievements. Boomers served as a springboard for the next generations. We owe them a lot for placing value on work ethic especially in millennials. But they are the worst parents.

Gen Xers are defined by Change. They brought both technological and social. They are the first people to think about work life balance. They have experienced first hand how busy their parents were.

Millennials are the most educated than any generation and tech savvy. They are the people who are not interested in traditional workstyle. Great resignation to a large extent triggered by Millennials and Gen Z. 4.5 million people left in March ‘2021. In a single month.

Millennials and Gen Z are not interested in following a regimen or routine. Millennials want to have more control on how they live. They are not interested in doing a single job.?Since they are tech savvy, millennials are developing multiple revenue streams which probably gives them a chance to change their productive style. Work in intervals and across different time zones. This is largely possible for people in Tech industry.

Workforce in Fine Arts, they can choose not to follow 9 to 5 as their productivity depends on moods, surroundings, moments...etc. Artists cannot work in a schedule. No boundaries. I don’t think it’s possible for other areas. I work more than 8 hours a day. As I am in Sales, my work seems to be never ending. ?In fact, I have seen many people in IT working longer hours. ?

Work-from-home culture for service sectors especially for Technology was forced upon due to Covid. It worked very well. Technology boomed. You can order anything online. Even after Covid, people are not interested in returning to office. We changed our mindset totally in 3 years. Employers became comfortable with people working virtual. Many are not even considering Hybrid working model. They want 100% remote. It’s flexible. People can focus on their family more. It also enables them to pick up another job or do a side hustle which worries employers as the focus gets divided. Slowly, everyone is getting into a system of trust to work with 100% remote.

Internet is flooded with apps that can make your life easy for a fee.

Changing 9 to 5 is changing everything. People are more in control. Number of Small Businesses might increase. Following flexible lifestyle might lead to different types of living. Traditional 9 to 5 work culture might go through repaid rehaul because of millennials and Gen Z. I cannot complain as my working style itself changed due to Covid. I am more hesitant of further change. I do not know whether I can handle a serious change.

9 to 5 might experience a slow death instead of like a sudden apocalypse. For my generation 9 to 5 might last for some time. Even more, it may not be possible for the industry sectors. But who knows? Change is good even if it’s painful.

Emerging technologies might make everything possible. Long periods of focus may not be needed to achieve the same results.

Hoping for better work-life balance.