New Work: The Most Important About the New World of Work

1. What is New Work? - a definition 
2. What are the characteristics of New Work? 
3. In which industries is New Work applicable?
4. What forms of New Work are there?
5. Why do we need New Work?
6. How and when did New Work come about?
7. 8 companies that already successfully use New Work
8. What tools can assist you in implementing New Work? 
9. Conclusion

Like everything else, the world of work is subject to constant change. Work models are changing: where industry once dominated, today it is the knowledge and information society. Digitization has accelerated the transformation of the world of work. In this dynamic environment, the term New Work is gaining in importance.

New Work is more than a buzzword, it stands for a modern approach to the world of work. In the era after the industrial revolution, the focus was mainly on efficiency, hierarchies and clear work structures. New Work, on the other hand, focuses on flexibility, self-determination and the involvement of employees in decision-making processes.

Above all during the Corona period, its importance has increased dramatically. The sudden need for Remote Work and home office has shown that flexible work models are not only possible but also effective. Buzzwords like Remote Work, Home Office or Work-Life-Blending are no longer buzzwords, but everyday reality.

What is New Work? - a definition 

Whoever expects an exact definition of New Work at this point, will be disappointed. Rather, the term New Work stands for a structural change in the world of work. The meaning and understanding of work are changing, prestige, status and income as sole work motives are moving into the background, while self-realization, self-development and satisfaction are increasingly moving into the foreground. There is no one-size-fits-all solution or a specific work model that can be universally implemented in all companies. Rather, it is a combination of different work concepts.

New Work goes beyond traditional notions of work and puts the individual needs and potentials of employees at the center. It promotes flexibility, personal responsibility and participation of employees. This can manifest itself in various forms such as flexible working hours, remote work, project-based collaboration and an open communication culture. 

What are the characteristics of New Work? 

New Work is characterized by a number of key features that aim to promote a modern and flexible work culture. These features reflect changes in the perception and execution of work. The exact design of New Work can vary from company to company, but these features form the basic principles that define a modern and future-oriented work culture:

Self-determination and personal responsibility:

Employees have more autonomy and decision-making authority with regard to their work. Self-determination and personal responsibility are central principles that emphasize the individual contribution of each employee. This means that employees are empowered to plan, implement and control their tasks and projects independently.

Often you hear the sentence "New Work needs inner work" in this context. This emphasizes that the implementation of new work concepts not only requires external changes in the organization, but also an inner change. It underlines the importance of personal development, self-reflection and a positive attitude as the basis for a successful adaptation to modern work principles.

Autonomy extends to various aspects of work, including the choice of work methods, time management and decisions within their responsibilities. This allows people to optimally use their skills and expertise while developing a personal work style.

The emphasis on self-determination and personal responsibility not only promotes trust in the abilities of employees, but also contributes to the creation of a positive work climate. Overall, the emphasis on self-determination and personal responsibility in the New Work philosophy supports the creation of an agile and motivated workforce.

Flexibility regarding working hours and place of work:

New Work not only allows for flexible work models like flextime and part-time work, but also emphasizes the important flexibility of the workplace. The introduction of Remote- or home office options gives employees the freedom to perform their tasks not only at flexible times, but also from various locations. This spatial flexibility is particularly important in a globalized world where teams can be spread across different locations.

By offering the possibility to work outside of the traditional office, commuting times are minimized, saving not only time but also reducing stress. Employees have the flexibility to work in environments that match their individual work preferences, whether at home, in co-working spaces or even on the go. This not only contributes to a better work-life balance, but also increases employee satisfaction and productivity, as they can work in the environment that suits them best.

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Collaboration and networking:

Collaboration is at the core of New Work. It promotes open communication, knowledge exchange and team collaboration. This can be supported by digital tools and platforms. Modern communication and Collaboration tools enable real-time interactions, virtual team meetings and shared access to resources regardless of geographic location.

The integration of digital platforms creates a networked work environment in which employees can seamlessly exchange information. Shared documentation, online meetings and project management tools make collaboration more efficient and transparent. 

In a networked New Work environment, the traditional hierarchy is often replaced by a dynamic, team-oriented structure. An example of this is holacracy, where hierarchies are systematically dismantled. Instead of persons, areas of activity or functions are the focus. 

This culture of collaboration not only creates a positive working climate, but also helps employees to identify more strongly with the company's goals and to optimally contribute their individual skills.

Promotion of skills and further education: 

New Work emphasizes the continuous development of skills and competences. Employees have the opportunity to further their education to keep pace with the demands of a changing world of work. This includes not only formal training, but also informal learning and knowledge exchange in the team.

In a New Work environment, professional development and competence-building programs are actively promoted. Often, access is provided to resources such as online courses, workshops, and mentoring. This investment in personal and professional development not only strengthens individual employee skills, but also contributes to the adaptability of the entire team.

Skills development and further education are relevant not only in response to current requirements, but also as a proactive measure to prepare employees for future challenges. In a rapidly changing world of work, the ability to continuously develop becomes a crucial success factor for companies and their employees.

Meaningful work: 

At the heart is meaningful and fulfilling work. New Work aims for employees to have a deeper connection to their work and to be able to identify with the purpose of their activity. This means that companies strive to create tasks and projects that not only bring financial benefit, but also make a positive contribution to society or at least have a personal meaning for the employees.

In an environment that promotes meaningful work, the added value of each employee's individual contribution is emphasized. Employees should not only complete their tasks, but also understand how their work contributes to the company's overarching goals. This creates a work culture in which intrinsic motivation is strengthened and employees derive greater satisfaction from their work.

The emphasis on meaningful work goes beyond monetary rewards and recognizes the importance of personal fulfillment and a positive contribution to the community. This orientation not only promotes satisfaction, but also commitment and loyalty to the company, as the work is perceived as meaningful and significant.

Agility and adaptability: 

New Work promotes an agile way of working that allows companies to respond quickly to changes. This adaptability is crucial for success in a constantly changing business environment. Companies that adopt the principles of New Work value flexible structures and processes to effectively respond to new market conditions, technological developments, or customer demands.

The agile way of working in New Work includes not only organizational flexibility, but also a culture of openness to innovation and continuous improvement. Employees are encouraged to proactively contribute ideas, experiment, and learn from mistakes. This not only promotes innovation, but also creates an environment in which changes are seen as an opportunity, not a threat.

Adaptability also extends to the structure of teams and work processes. Hierarchies are often made more flexible to allow for quick decisions, and traditional barriers between departments can be removed to promote seamless collaboration. 

Environment promoting innovation:

Creativity and innovation are supported by an open corporate culture. Mistakes are seen as learning opportunities and space is created for experiments and new ideas. In an innovative New Work environment, a culture of openness is promoted that allows employees to express their creative ideas and develop innovative thinking.

Acceptance of mistakes as part of the innovation process is a key element. Instead of punishing mistakes, they are seen as valuable learning opportunities. This attitude creates an environment in which employees have the courage to try new approaches without fear of negative consequences. This innovation-promoting environment not only contributes to the development of new products or services, but also strengthens the overall agility of the company. 

Technological integration: 

The integration of modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, automation and digital communication tools, is an essential part of New Work. These tools enable more efficient work processes and better collaboration. For example, the use of artificial intelligence can automate recurring tasks and facilitate the analysis of large amounts of data, allowing employees to have more time for creative and strategic tasks.

Automation technologies contribute to efficiency by speeding up manual processes and minimizing errors. This allows employees to focus on more demanding tasks, while repetitive tasks are taken over by machines. Digital communication tools, from video conferencing to instant messaging platforms, improve collaboration and enable seamless communication regardless of the geographic location of team members.

New Leadership:

New Work also requires a new kind of leadership, Leadership 4.0. Leaders no longer act as a control body, more value is placed on empathy and trust. An open error culture is aimed at, thus creating more space for innovative ideas. 

The task of the “new” leaders is therefore increasingly to communicate with employees on an equal footing. To work out and live a vision and give strategic orientation. There are the following key aspects, which are often mentioned in connection with New Leadership : 

1. Participatory leadership
2. Inspiring vision
3. Empathy and employee orientation
4. Promotion of self-organization
5. Continuous communication
6. Development of employees
7. Agile thinking and flexibility
8. Multidisciplinary collaboration

In which industries is New Work applicable?

New Work is fundamentally applicable in a wide range of industries and has the potential to bring about positive changes in different work environments. The following are some industries in which the principles of New Work may be particularly relevant:

Technology and IT:

In the technology industry, flexibility and innovation capacity are often crucial. New Work can contribute to creating an agile work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration.

Creative and media economy:

In industries characterized by creative work and idea development, New Work plays an important role. The creation of an inspiring environment and the promotion of creative thinking are particularly valued here.

Consulting and service sector:

In consulting firms and other service-oriented industries, New Work can contribute to better understanding customer needs, reacting flexibly to changes and at the same time creating a positive work environment for employees.

Healthcare:

Even in healthcare, New Work can make a contribution, especially in administrative areas and digital health solutions. Flexibility and effective collaboration can improve patient care.

Education and research:

In educational and research institutions, New Work can promote collaboration between teachers, researchers and other employees. Flexible teaching methods and the use of modern technologies play a role here.

Start-ups:

Start-ups often particularly benefit from the principles of New Work, as they need to adapt quickly to market changes. A flexible and innovation-encouraging work culture can be decisive for success.

Financial sector:

Even in the financial sector, New Work can help to rethink traditional ways of working and promote flexibility in a often heavily regulated environment.

It is important to note that the applicability of New Work is not limited to certain industries. Rather, it depends on the corporate culture, the specific work processes and the individual needs of the employees. Companies of different industries can integrate elements of New Work into their work practice to increase efficiency, employee satisfaction and innovation capacity.

What forms of New Work are there?

There are various forms and approaches that focus on different aspects of the work world. The following are some common forms and practices that stand for the transformation of traditional work models towards more flexible, agile and employee-centered structures. 

Flexible work models:

Flextime

Employees can flexibly structure their working hours within certain limits.

Part-time work

Reduced working hours per week or month.

Job-Sharing 

Two or more employees share the tasks of a full-time job.

Flexible work locations:

Home Office 

Employees can work from home.

Remote Work 

Work outside of the traditional office, often at various locations.

Project-based collaboration:

Teams work in project-related structures, leading to more flexibility and collaboration.

Agile work methods:

Scrum, Kanban and other agile methods promote flexible, iterative work processes and increase responsiveness to changes.

Coworking:

Shared workspaces where employees of different companies or disciplines can collaborate.

Self-organized teams:

Teams have more autonomy in work organization and decision making.

Mentoring and coaching:

Promotion of personal and professional development through informal learning relationships.

Innovation labs:

Special spaces or programs to foster creative ideas and innovations.

Qualification and further training programs:

Targeted support for continuous skills and competence development.

Inclusive corporate culture:

An open and inclusive culture that respects the diversity and individual needs of employees.

Work time autonomy:

Employees have more control over their working hours and breaks.

Why do we need New Work?

New Work is necessary to meet the constantly changing demands of the modern world of work. Traditional work models reach their limits, while dynamics, digitization and globalization demand a more flexible and adaptable work culture. The shortage of skilled workers adds its part. Companies need to become more attractive to attract applicants and keep them in the long term. 

With New Work, companies can respond to these challenges by promoting self-determination, innovation and collaboration. Creating a more flexible work environment not only increases employee satisfaction, but also the efficiency and innovative capacity of the entire company.

How and when did New Work come about?

The term New Work was coined in the late 70s. Frithjof Bergmann, an Austrian-American social philosopher, was the developer of this concept. At that time, socialism was predominant and New Work was supposed to be a counter movement to it.

Originally, his New Work approach aimed to replace two thirds of the previous “classic” salaried work: The first third should consist of meaningful, desirable and enjoyable work. The second third is a combination of smart consumption and technically highly developed self-sufficiency. The working people should again do a job that they find meaningful and fun.

Digitalization, globalization and also artificial intelligence did their part, because suddenly new possibilities and opportunities opened up. These developments helped New Work not just to be a reaction to the socialist ideas of the time, but to become a concept that adapted to the challenges and potentials of the modern world of work. Even today, New Work remains dynamic and adapts to current changes in the work landscape.

8 companies that already successfully use New Work

Many companies worldwide apply New Work principles to different extents and in different ways. Here are some examples of companies that are known for their New Work practices:

Zalando:

The German e-commerce company Zalando values an open corporate culture, promotes self-organization and offers flexible work models like Remote Work.

Spotify:

The music streaming service Spotify is known for its agile way of working. The company uses the so-called "Spotify model" for self-organized teams.

Microsoft:

Microsoft has redesigned its work culture to promote more flexibility and collaboration. Remote work and innovative workspaces are integral parts of the New Work concept.

Siemens:

Siemens has implemented a workplace strategy emphasizing flexibility in terms of working hours and location. The company relies on modern technologies to support flexible work models.

Bosch:

Bosch promotes an open innovation culture and has introduced various flexible work models, including remote work and flexible working hours.

Vodafone:

The telecommunications provider Vodafone focuses on flexible work models and modern technologies to improve the collaboration and flexibility of employees.

Google:

Google is known for its creative work environment. The company focuses on open communication, collaborative workspaces, and promoting creative collaboration.

HubSpot:

The software company HubSpot focuses on an open and transparent corporate culture. Employees can freely choose their working hours and the company promotes lifelong learning.

What tools can assist you in implementing New Work? 

In the introduction and implementation of New Work, you can use different tools in different categories. 

We have divided them into categories for you: 

Collaboration tools: 

• Asana
• monday.com
• Microsoft Teams
• Slack
• Trello

Project management: 

• ClickUp
• Jira
• Wrike

Video conferencing:

• Zoom
• Microsoft Teams
• Google Meet

Document management:

• Google Workspace
• Microsoft 365
• Dropbox Business

Innovation management:

• Miro
• Stormboard
• Sketchboard

Time recording and management:

• Toggl Track
• Harvest
• Clockify

Agile collaboration:

• Conceptboard
• Confluence
• mindmeister

Learning management:

• Moodle Workplace
• TalentLMS
• LearnUpon

Conclusion

Overall, it can be said that New Work represents a groundbreaking answer to the challenges of the modern world of work. Traditional work models reach their limits, while dynamics, digitization and globalization demand a more flexible and adaptable work culture. New Work relies on principles such as self-determination, innovation and collaboration to create a work environment that not only meets the needs of employees, but also increases the efficiency and innovative strength of companies.

The introduction of flexible work hours, work locations and innovative work methods contributes to improving the work-life balance and increasing employee satisfaction. The emphasis on further training and competence development enables employees to keep pace with constantly changing requirements and to continuously expand their skills.

In addition to the positive aspects of New Work, there are also potential challenges. The flexibility of working hours and location can lead to a blurred division between professional and private life, which can contribute to an increased workload and possible stress factors for employees. 

In addition, not all occupational fields can equally benefit from flexible work models, and some companies might face difficulties implementing New Work principles due to resistance in the corporate culture or industry-specific requirements. 

Each company must therefore determine for itself whether, how and to what extent New Work should be implemented. In conclusion, it should be emphasized that New Work has a positive influence on the attractiveness of companies. This can make the decisive difference, especially in times of personnel shortage, because well-trained professionals become aware of the company and stay there in the long term.