The world is constantly changing. Ongoing globalization and digitalization are continuously changing the way we live. However, it is not only our lives that are changing; the way we work has also changed drastically over the past decade. The COVID-19 pandemic in particular forced companies to implement New Work principles in everyday working life.
New Work – What is it?
The New Work concept, developed by philosopher Frithjof Bergmann, combines professional development and personal growth. It focuses on flexible approaches that give employees decision-making options, flexibility in their day-to-day work, and opportunities for personal development. Concepts such as working from home, coworking spaces, and flexible working hours enable employees to shape their lives as flexibly as possible.
For many companies, New Work means a completely new mindset. Old structures are broken down and rebuilt from the ground up. Consequently, this also involves a transition for employees.
Since 2019, working from home has become indispensable for German companies. The workplace is becoming more flexible, more mobile, and ubiquitous. The smartphone has become one of the most important work tools. According to Statista, more than 70% of German employees support the option of working from home – a development you should not miss.
With TKD’s smartphone management solutions, your smart devices are fully supported within your company. Starting with numerous procurement models such as smartphone rental, comprehensive lifecycle management including 24-hour replacement of defective devices, and staging of all devices with tempered glass and protective case, through to digital invoice post-processing with the TKD.360 platform, including tariff optimization by our service team with TKD Managed Mobility.
New Work – The Pros and Cons
Advantages
- Flexibility and better work-life balance: Employees can organize their working hours and locations flexibly.
- Working from home: Increases employee satisfaction and enables them to better combine work and private life.
- No commuting and no rush-hour traffic: Saves time and reduces stress.
- Desk sharing: Encourages the formation of new networks among colleagues.
- Flat hierarchy: A high degree of freedom is motivating and creates space for creativity, innovative thinking, and productivity.
Disadvantages
- Rethinking the company structure: Traditional ways of working must be reconsidered and adapted.
- IT infrastructure: Requires a well-developed IT infrastructure and the provision of technical devices.
- Data protection: Working from home requires compliance with data protection guidelines.
- Employee training: Employees must be trained in self-management and time management.
- Uneven work-life balance: There is a risk that the boundaries between work and private life become blurred.
New Work offers many advantages, but it also presents new challenges for companies and employees. With the right solutions, such as those from TKD, companies can master these challenges and fully leverage the benefits of New Work.