Technology, Hourly Employees, and the Changing Workplac
This is the first in a series of three blog posts that will explore how mobile technology is changing the relationship between employers, employees, and the workplace. The basic premise of this series is that mobile connectivity is transforming the way people work—this includes work life balance, location of work performed, vacation time, and even the definition of an employee.
While we’ve touched on this topic before, this series of posts will review some of the most intriguing and salient employment related questions that have emerged in the wake of the mobile technology revolution. Today, the office is only ever as far away as the cell phone in your pocket. Modern communication tools have made it so that an employee can work virtually anytime and from any place. Employment law and corporate standards have largely lagged behind this rapid tech driven change.
Today, companies are struggling to find new standards for employees who are increasingly connected via mobile technology. How can employers determine hourly compensation for an employee who mostly works from home? How can employees find balance between professional and personal time when they’re expected to constantly monitor email? What is an appropriate amount of vacation time for an employer to provide when employees can work from anywhere?
Technology has radically shifted the way Americans work, interact with each other, and live their daily lives. The pace of change has been impressive, and in many ways, we’re still working to understand this new world we’ve created. Technology has the potential to improve efficiency and provide greater freedom in terms of how and where work is completed, but it must be embraced with knowledge and caution.
The future American worker will rely on technology in new and unprecedented ways, and understanding some of the challenges that come along with this change is critical. This blog series will look at some of these questions, but the conversation won’t end here.
