We are in an era where we start to see tasks gets replaced by Artificial Intelligence (or more clearly Artificial Narrow Intelligence). These "smarter automation" led to the increase in productivity of workers. Assuming, that the amount of work remains the same which is most of the time, unless the work involved is mostly in operations, we are likely to see that the time needed from employees may reduced.
My prediction is employers might see that they do not need the employees 9 to 5 over 5 days anymore and see a great opportunity to reduce employment time of individual employees, leading to a cut in the salary.
As ANI replaced more tasks, we might see a larger group of workers where the demand for their skills does not warrant a full-time job (i.e 9 to 5, 5 days a week) anymore. So how do we overcome this as a society then?
Employers will start to think about changing some of the jobs from full-time requirements towards part-time and/or flexible employment. This provides more flexibility in managing costs especially the possible savings of full-time benefits like medical coverage, annual leave, etc.
How to Prepare for the Trend
Besides the increase in different types of jobs, to absorb the productivity of employees, the Future of Work, should include the possibility of having a portfolio of jobs. Portfolio of jobs means that an individual maybe holding 2 or more jobs with different companies instead. The jobs in the individual portfolio may require the same skills or it could be different. But what is for sure, the more skills one has, the more stable the "salary" going to be.
As an individual, this might mean the following:
Lifelong & Asynchronous Learning
Lifelong learning will become a norm. Learning how to learn is going to be important as one develop new skills to pick up more jobs or expand his/her opportunities, or deepen the current skill set to ensure some stability in the current portfolio.
Given now that the number of one's earning is very much dependent on one's effort, the individual is also incentivize to learn more.
However, given the flexibility in the timing needed to hold on to multiple jobs, courses might need to be short (2-3 days perhaps), bite sized, and easy to consume in any platform, laptop, mobile and others. Such format accommodates, the schedule of individuals holding portfolio of jobs.
Career Management
Regardless of whether portfolio or just a single job, one cannot run away from managing their own individual career trajectory. However, for a portfolio of jobs, given that one can amass more skill sets, individuals should always consider looking into the future and picking up skills and experience that are going to be in great demand, putting one self to be always be future-ready.
Conclusion
Well this is just a thought and a point of discussion among our friends when we are discussing about tech and what it brings in the future. I do believe we will see lesser full-time positions and more part-time/flexible schedule positions given smarter automation, looking into a future where one may not earn as much salary as he/she used to. As such it might be good to hold a portfolio of jobs (or mid-term projects that are 3-6 months long), rather.
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