NextGen work to replace 9-5 jobs as workers seek for flexibility and balance

A NextGen work survey conducted by Manpower Group found that workers seek new alternatives to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. jobs. According to the results of the survey, 87 percent of participants said that they are open to NextGen Work. These jobs are the personal preferences for 81 percent of NextGen Workers while 19 percent say they will choose NextGen Work when they cannot find an alternative.

According to the survey, a new age of flexibility and balance is starting, and there is no place for the old working model of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. jobs anymore. The global survey titled, "#GigResponsibly: NextGen Work" conducted with 9,500 participants from 12 countries shows that there has been a shift to a new working model that benefits both workers and organizations.

ManpowerGroup asked participants how they wanted to work, what motivated them and their views on NextGen work. According to the responses, the most common reasons for choosing NextGen work, which includes part-time, freelance, contract, temporary and independent contractor work, were making extra money (38 percent), acquiring new skills (33 percent) and seeking a better balance in life (32 percent). Among respondents, 80 percent said they prefer NextGen work in accordance with their own personal choices rather than as a last resort, also indicating that this work model stability in a sense considering an uncertain future. The main results of the research are as follows:

• 87 percent of workers worldwide are open to NextGen work.

l 80 percent say NextGen work provides them the opportunity to learn new things and acquire skills, thus increasing their value as an employee.

90 percent of NextGen workers enjoy this model and want to continue with it.

81 percent say that NextGen work is not a necessity, but a choice. Nineteen percent say that they are forced to work NextGen work because they cannot find traditional jobs.

Evaluating the survey results, Manpower general manager for Turkey, Reha Hatipoğlu, said that most of the job growth over the last 10 to 15 years has been in non-traditional, alternative methods of work. "Now, what people want from their job is evolving. Employees are working longer, learning more and seeking a better balance between work and home. Not everyone wants to engage as a full-time employee and organizations don't always want that either," Hatipoğlu said. "For this reason, we have to implement NextGen work. Currently, in times when change is constantly accelerating, skills and new working models are the key to career safety, growth opportunities and prosperity for both individuals and countries.

NextGen work is a global phenomenon. In particular, emerging markets such as India and Mexico are leading the way, with 97 percent of people indicating that they are open to freelance, contract, temporary or independent contractor work. Mature markets such as the U.S., Australia and the U.K. follow closely behind, with 90 percent. Countries such as Germany, the Netherlands and Japan, however, are less enthusiastic when it comes to NextGen work. Countries with a higher percentage of younger workers are more inclined to participate in NextGen work, especially millennials between the ages of 18 and 24.