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NEW Age and the NEWORKer

In this page, we are not considering the "New Age" spiritual movement with its beliefs of faith, crystals etc and the effect that that is having on business and business practices in New Zealand and beyond. Neither are we talking about the chronological age of the NEWORKer or Portfolio Worker.

The 'new age" that we are referring to is the period of time that has occurred which marks changes in perspectives and operation of businesses. For the worker, work in the first age that meant doing what someone else wanted you to do. For the NEWORKer, work in the second age this new age means the things you do, individually and with others, which make a contribution to yourself, your family, your community and the earth.

There have been a great number of social changes in the world that have brought about this new age of work.

In a dual-career family and the impact that this has on family life, the raising of future generations etc. The Portfolio worker in setting the priorities of lifestyle taking into consideration matters other than income.

Flexible work policies in the workplace

There is a progression towards more companies adopting employee policies to allow employees flexible schedules or time off to deal with personal family matters. For many this is a reluctant response with some companies seemingly trying to curb this by imposing stringent rules at work such as sign-in /sign out system and time management systems, projecting their belief that employees tend to take advantage of such flexible policies to cater for more time with their family or other important matters n their lives.

The dual-income dilemma

Second, due to various problems arising from family issues, working women of today are really in the pressure cooker. By taking up most of the responsibilities at home and climbing the career ladder in a male-dominated world, they can be easily torn apart physically as well as emotionally between work and other commitments (including family).

Since the rise of dual-income families in the last decade, young working mothers have to juggle between family and work by making use of their limited time and energy. There is a greater appreciation occurring both in family structures and the carrying of responsibilities. The male around the household carrying out more of the domestic duties and child caring. However much is determined by the cultural setting of the family members, the community and the employer.

The career stereotypes of women and men

The struggles of working mothers and women is well documented because it has a profound effect on their job performance as well as their well being and that of their family life.

It has been conventionally accepted that men's identities are tied more closely to work than women's. Men are supposed to work longer hours than women do because they are the "breadwinners" of the family, even though they are not the only one to do so. Some men work extra hours to show commitment to their work as they feel more pressured to be seen as ambitious career ladder climbers rather than fathers who treasure their private family lives.

Changing times

Fortunately, the scenario has been changing in recent years, thanks to the new generation who also grew up in dual-career families, business people seem to be more aware of the struggle, and are taking on a shared role in the home and parenting and community tasks. Both professional men and women are realising their unwitting role in contributing to the problem of work-life imbalance.

We need to get over the fear of the unknown, and of failing professionally to push our businesses to be more flexible. To begin to live the kinds of lives that we want to live. Now, it is time that employers recognise the change as well. The generation of professionals today values the balance between work and life.

New work culture beckons

As the society progresses, we hope that more and more employers will adopt this golden rule: it doesn't matter how many hours we spend in the office; what's more important is how productive we have been while at work.

Companies can realign its philosophy by practising flexible policies, such as allowing employees to come in a little later in the mornings after sending their kids to school and then leaving later to compensate for time lost in the morning. A company is much appreciated if it allows its employees to integrate their role as a parent and employee in the workplace within reason.

An employer that promotes trust and respect for its employees as members of the family structure will reap the benefits of productivity and commitment in return. A new work culture is waiting to be let into the Asian workplace. It is time to open the door.

This is the world of the NEWORKer/Portfolio Worker, bringing to this new age of work a response that goes towards meeting the expectations of the NEWORKer, the family and the community and bring to the workplace an ethic of work that can meet those expectations and the expectations of the employer and their business.