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futures:work_going_virtual [2023/06/01 19:27] – sarah.wheelerfutures:work_going_virtual [2023/06/08 05:29] (current) – sarah.wheeler
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 ======Work Going Virtual====== ======Work Going Virtual======
 =====Summary===== =====Summary=====
-While virtual employment has been on the rise for years, the pandemic accelerated the change. This acceleration and nature of change puts pressure on integral social and economic components of our societies. As more virtual and remote work opportunities become available, we will have to adjust our understanding of what it means to be employed and redefine employment relationships. With skill sets, determination, and access, people are somewhat less beholden to remaining in working conditions they don’t consider ideal. On the flip side employers and companies are less beholden to retaining employees for work they could contract out to a competitive marketplace of digital freelancers. These changing relationships and the rise of freelance also has implications for our tax structures and social programs. Virtual work doesn’t inherently equate to quality or stability of employment, often people are employed through a series of short-term contracts. What it looks like to be employed and employed full time, will change more rapidly than legislation will be able to keep up opening a door for vulnerability of economies, governments, and their citizens. As working conditions shift, governments and communities need to be strategic on how to appeal to, and support, in person and virtual employees. Potential income instabilities associated with freelance and virtual work can have rippling impacts on social services. Combined with aging populations, who as well as how our working age population is employed will dictate the level and type of support accessible to us.  +Virtual employment has been steadily growing, but the pandemic accelerated this trend, placing significant pressure on crucial social and economic aspects of our societies. As virtual and remote work opportunities continue to increase, we must redefine our understanding of employment and adapt employment relationships. People now have more flexibility to seek ideal working conditions, while employers have the option to outsource work to digital freelancers. These evolving relationships and the rise of freelance work also have implications for tax structures and social programs. 
-Loss of third places is already a socially and culturally concerning notion, what happens if we lose one of the two we have left, the workplace? There are certain social components that in-person work provides and as seen during the forced sparations caused by the pandemic, there are very real and serious consequences to removing in-person work from the equation. + 
-Economic impacts can’t be the sole focus of this driver, social health and cohesion concerns should be central to the conversation, and solutions, we explore. +Virtual work does not guarantee quality or stability of employment, often involving short-term contracts. The transformation of employment conditions will outpace legislative adjustments, potentially leaving economies, governments, and citizens vulnerable. Governments and communities must strategically appeal to and support both in-person and virtual employees as working conditions evolve. Instabilities in income associated with freelance and virtual work can have wide-ranging impacts on social services, especially considering the context of aging populations. 
 + 
 +The loss of physical workplaces, which serve as important social and cultural spaces, is a concern. If in-person work becomes scarce, as seen during the pandemic, there are real and serious consequences for social health and cohesion. While economic impacts are crucial, the conversation and exploration of solutions should also prioritize social health and cohesion concerns. 
 + 
 +By recognizing the multifaceted impacts of the changing nature of work, we can address the economic, social, and cultural dimensions to ensure a more comprehensive and resilient approach to employment transitions.
  
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   * Work is becoming borderless   * Work is becoming borderless
   * Work is becoming flexible but uncertain   * Work is becoming flexible but uncertain
- 
 It suggests that while these technologies will lead to job displacement, they also present opportunities for new types of work. The report recommends investing in education and training programs to prepare workers for the changing job market and suggests implementing policies to support workers who are displaced by automation.  It suggests that while these technologies will lead to job displacement, they also present opportunities for new types of work. The report recommends investing in education and training programs to prepare workers for the changing job market and suggests implementing policies to support workers who are displaced by automation. 
  
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   * Schools as learning hubs   * Schools as learning hubs
   * Learn-as-you-go   * Learn-as-you-go
- 
 The 'Education outsourced' scenario looks to signals of new forms of work that could indicate this scenario is emerging. As a whole, the document explores the role of digital technologies and their impact on the education system and role teachers might play moving forward.  The 'Education outsourced' scenario looks to signals of new forms of work that could indicate this scenario is emerging. As a whole, the document explores the role of digital technologies and their impact on the education system and role teachers might play moving forward. 
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 ====Future of Government in 2030==== ====Future of Government in 2030====
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 ====Scenarios for the Russian Federation==== ====Scenarios for the Russian Federation====
 [[library:scenarios_for_the_russian_federation|Scenarios for the Russian Federation]] by [[encyclopedia:world_economic_forum|World Economic Forum]] analyzes four different scenarios for the future of Russia, based on varying levels of economic, political, and social development. These scenarios range from a "Global Reset" that sees a complete overhaul of the world economy, to a "Low Momentum" scenario where Russia stagnates in its current state. One of the influential global forces shaping these scenarios is the combination of demographic shifts and talent mobility. The increasing demand for highly skilled professionals, who prioritize quality of life and exhibit greater mobility, poses a significant challenge for countries reliant on human capital for economic development, as their ability to attract international talent becomes crucial for achieving success. [[library:scenarios_for_the_russian_federation|Scenarios for the Russian Federation]] by [[encyclopedia:world_economic_forum|World Economic Forum]] analyzes four different scenarios for the future of Russia, based on varying levels of economic, political, and social development. These scenarios range from a "Global Reset" that sees a complete overhaul of the world economy, to a "Low Momentum" scenario where Russia stagnates in its current state. One of the influential global forces shaping these scenarios is the combination of demographic shifts and talent mobility. The increasing demand for highly skilled professionals, who prioritize quality of life and exhibit greater mobility, poses a significant challenge for countries reliant on human capital for economic development, as their ability to attract international talent becomes crucial for achieving success.
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- 
  
 ====Global Foresight 2022==== ====Global Foresight 2022====
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   * A World Transformed by Climate Shocks   * A World Transformed by Climate Shocks
   * A Democratic Resistance   * A Democratic Resistance
- The scenarios draw insights from ten prominent trends, one of which is "Technology's double-edged sword" which looks at the impact technology has had on work. The report delves into topics such as geopolitics, technology, climate change, and economic shifts, exploring the interplay between these factors.+The scenarios draw insights from ten prominent trends, one of which is "Technology's double-edged sword" which looks at the impact technology has had on work. The report delves into topics such as geopolitics, technology, climate change, and economic shifts, exploring the interplay between these factors.
  
  
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-=====Discussion=====+~~DISCUSSION~~
 =====Further Reading===== =====Further Reading=====
 +<span #categories_box> Categories:  </span>
 =====Citations===== =====Citations=====
 /* Do not add anything below this line, footnotes will automatically generate below */ /* Do not add anything below this line, footnotes will automatically generate below */
Last modified: 2023/06/01 19:27 by sarah.wheeler