The rise of technology has definitely lessened the impact of physical location on certain types of jobs. Here’s a breakdown of why and why not:
Location Independence:
- Remote Work: The internet and advancements in communication technology have enabled many jobs to be done remotely. Tasks like writing, coding, customer service, design, meetings, and presentations can be effectively performed from anywhere with a good internet connection. The down side is that you lose personal face-to-face interconnections with your co-workers if all you do is talk with them on the phone or through a video conferencing tool. Watercooler or elevator conversations are conduits for easy, quick, meaningful conversations that saves hours of back-and-forth emails or texts. COVID sparked the rapid development of online communication tools such as TEAMS, ZOOM, Google Meets, and others.
- Flexible Schedules: Many companies now offer flexible work arrangements, allowing employees to work from home or co-working spaces on certain days. In today’s world, flex schedules are becoming the norm. The advent of COVID also fostered that on a global scale as people were advised to work from home, not go into the office and keep their distance.
- Global Collaboration: Technology facilitates collaboration across borders. Teams can work together on projects in real-time despite geographical separation. My work in the pharmaceutical industry shows that. On a couple of projects managed by me, we had over a hundred co-workers scattered around the globe in 64 different manufacturing facilities, all contributing in one way or another, on the successful outcome of those projects. Most all planning and coordination work was done remotely via video-conferencing or telephone bridges, pre-TEAMS, Google Meets and ZOOM. All of the physical lifting, plugging and unplugging, etc., was performed locally by technology experts specifically assigned the tasks.
Location Dependence:
- Certain professions: Jobs in healthcare, construction, retail or others requiring in-person interaction with clients or equipment still necessitate physical presence in a specific location.
- Company Culture: Some companies, like creative agencies, prioritize a strong company culture fostered through in-person collaboration and interaction. Remote work for such environments might not be suitable.
- Regulations and Time Zones: Legalities and regulations pertaining to data privacy or labor laws can vary by location. Working across time zones also poses challenges.
The Future:
The future of work, as we are already witnessing, is likely a hybrid model. Many jobs will offer a mix of remote and in-person work options. However, location will still play a role for some professions and might influence factors like salary or career advancement opportunities.
I’d like to hear from you. What trends are you witnessing in your work-day-life?