6 ways technology is changing how we work

Technology is important in so many sectors of living. We use technology every day for phone calls, to drive our cars, and to order groceries. The implementation of technology at every segment of life means that work is being transformed as well. As technology improves, so do the ways in which workplaces use technology to get critical work done. Technology makes workplaces safer, it offers employees greater flexibility, improves automation, and more. Here are some of the top ways that technology is changing how we work, the jobs we can get, and how employers select candidates.

Flexible Work Arrangements

Remote work was always a perk that many upper management employees could only dream of. Now, it’s so common that many workers won’t even consider employment with a company that won’t offer it. Flexible work is only made possible because of technology. Access to video conferencing, collaboration tools, and high-speed internet is helping to drive the ability to work from home.

Some companies can’t get on board with this level of flexibility because they are stuck in a micromanagement mindset. But the companies that have embraced a results-oriented environment and allow their staff to work from home are creating opportunities to create a less stressful workplace, improve employee retention, and more.

Greater Automation

What once took 5 different people to do on the computer, can now take one. The processes that were once arduous and complex now can be handled by computing systems and apps. This transformation means that the people are there to ensure that their inputs into the system were received correctly and are being processed the right way. More automation doesn’t make people obsolete, instead it means that they can work on more complex tasks and focus on people more often instead of getting bogged down in multistep processes.

Robotics

Have you gone to the grocery store recently and seen one of those robotic floor sweepers and moppers rolling around? They are there to keep the place clean throughout the day instead of hiring one person to mop at night when everyone is gone. This type of technology makes it possible for more complex tasks to get done by the people who work there. Companies like Sarcos leverage technology in ways that help to keep employees safe. Instead of putting people in a dangerously high place, they can send teleoperated robots instead. With these kinds of applications for robotics, there are more opportunities for people to learn and grow in the workplace.

Online Certifications and Training

There are countless ways to use technology to learn. Nowadays people can learn new things, get professional certifications, and even gain the skills needed to switch careers using online certifications and training. The ability to use technology for professional and work training means that people can work from almost anywhere. They can expand their knowledge and they can learn about new work-related processes.

Increased Outsourcing

Using freelance workers has always been part of large corporations. Because of technology, more employers are looking for ways to cut costs while still getting the work done. Hiring freelancers means they can get critical work done, they can more easily handle the ebbs and flows of workloads, and they can offer these freelancers higher pay rates because they don’t need to pay for things like benefits. The benefit for freelancers is that they have more flexibility and can focus on delivering great results, often without needing to put in specific hours. Other companies outsource things like marketing to agencies that are known for their expertise.

Leveling the Playing Field

Twenty-plus years ago some companies would never consider a candidate unless they had a degree. While having a degree can give you some qualifications, there are plenty of highly qualified people out there who never completed their college education. Technology has helped to level the playing field to ensure that these highly qualified people can still get in front of hiring managers and HR representatives.

How? Using other factors. They might look at portfolios, certifications, years of experience, and more to determine if a potential candidate would suit their company’s needs. Because technology can help read between the lines, more and more professionals are given great jobs even without a degree.