Shift from Hours Collaborated to Outcome Evaluation: COVID-19's Role in Expediting the Demise of the Traditional 9-5 Work Schedule
In the early 20th century, the concept of performance-based pay began to emerge, with Frederick Taylor's scientific management principles playing a significant role around the 1910s. This shift from hourly wages to performance-based pay was a departure from the traditional relationship between work hours, output, and pay that had been established during the Industrial Revolution.
During this period, most people worked in factories, where their productivity was directly linked to the number of items they produced in a given time. However, the economy has since evolved beyond the Industrial Revolution, and the workplace has been significantly influenced by the technological revolution.
The arrival of the knowledge and gig economy has raised questions about the definition of productivity. Traditional measures of productivity, such as the number of items produced, may not be applicable in the current economy. Instead, productivity is being redefined in the context of the knowledge and gig economy, where the focus is more on the quality of work and the value it brings, rather than the quantity.
The technological revolution has had a profound impact on the economy and the workplace. It has not only changed the way we work but also the way employees are paid for their work. The emergence of the knowledge and gig economy, a result of the technological revolution, has led to a redefinition of productivity.
In the knowledge and gig economy, individuals often work on short-term projects or tasks, rather than a traditional full-time job. This shift has necessitated a reevaluation of the traditional relationship between work hours, output, and pay. The traditional model may not be applicable in the current economy, where the focus is more on the quality of work and the value it brings, rather than the number of hours worked or the quantity of work produced.
As we move forward, it is clear that the definition of productivity is being redefined in the context of the knowledge and gig economy. The way we work and the way we are paid for our work is evolving, and it is essential to adapt to these changes to remain competitive in the modern economy.