Work Going Virtual

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.

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.

Canada and the Changing Nature of Work by Policy Horizons Canada discusses the future of work in Canada and the potential impact of automation and artificial intelligence. It identifies 3 insights as to what is changing:

• Work is moving online
• Work is becoming borderless
• 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.

The OECD Scenarios for the Future of Schooling by OECD is a chapter of four scenarios for 2040:

• Schooling extended
• Education outsourced
• Schools as learning hubs
• 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.

Future of Government in 2030 by e.Republic is a series of short essays compiling the thoughts of over two dozen futurists. Some of these cover the topic of work and predict that remote work will become more widespread.

Scenarios for the Russian Federation by 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.

Global Foresight 2022 by Atlantic Council examines three scenarios and their implications on global trends and challenges.

• Cold War II, with a twist
• A World Transformed by Climate Shocks
• 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.

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