Generation ‘R’ to the fore as a new world of work emerges
As the world anxiously waits for the lockdown to end, a new generation of workers is evolving and getting ready take on the new world of work.
The global workforce as we’ve known it has been made up of five diverse generations – each with their own unique working styles and preferences. However, recent worldwide lockdowns have forced these people into a new, but identical, lifestyle of remote work.
These generations, who were vastly different, are now all facing similar professional demands and common limitations. In a matter of weeks, a large majority of workers adapted and developed new habits, beliefs and ethics. For the first time, different generations are starting to think alike.
In response to this pandemic, people are learning, unlearning and recalibrating themselves. They seem to have reset themselves according to our new circumstances and have evolved into a new generation.
Let us call them Generation R. They are the group of people who, during the course of the lockdown, have developed new skills, embraced new paradigms and readjusted their world view.
This generation feels much more in control and more comfortable with ambiguity. They are preparing to work harder than ever and are finding new ways to achieve productivity, balance and a sense of purpose.
Gen-R workers believe that the world of work is going to change significantly when the challenges are solved, and they’re preparing for it now.
They feel the future workplace will become more competitive, affecting their career direction and future opportunities. But instead of just waiting for it to happen, Gen-R workers have committed to learn at least one new skill during the prolonged lockdown.
They plan to have multiple sources of income and try new roles and jobs once the world returns to normal. They are finding productivity in remote work settings
While many prefer working in pre-defined, fixed office hours, Gen-R actually prefers the remote option. They believe the flexible schedules and technology available allows them to be more productive when working from home. They are prioritising a balance between personal and professional
Despite the lockdown blurring boundaries between home and work, Gen-R workers have learnt to juggle both personal and professional lives successfully. With managers showing an understanding to new schedules and offering appreciation for hard work, these employees are finding new ways to achieve a work-life balance.
Gen-R perceptions around the environment and sustainability have shifted. Having realised the impact that humanity has on our environment, they believe they owe more to society and the environment than before.
The future workforce will be coming back to a post-pandemic world with new beliefs, skill sets, aspirations and work ethics. They will have new expectations and priorities as employees, forcing organisations to adapt and evolve to meet new demands.
Offering mobility to pick up projects for new teams and try new roles in addition to their usual jobs will provide the growth opportunities they’re looking for. It is like opening a gig economy for existing employees so they don’t have to look outside.
Organisations should consider supporting these working conditions with the right technology and processes. This would mean removing functional limitations for remote workers and providing high-security platforms and cloud applications that can run full force any time, anywhere and on any device.
How the world of work will evolve after the current crisis is unpredictable. However, some of these trends will signify the beginning of a new era. Generational differences are losing relevance and Generation R commonalities will be front and centre.