I’ve lost track of how many times my friends and family have been talking about how “things have changed in the workplace since COVID”.
All of them comment how work is now uncontrollable in the sense they cannot get on top of things due to constant change, technology issues or just keeping up with day to day tasks. That, and dealing with staff (of all ages) who feel exactly the same as they do.
Everyone is going through the motions.
Planning?
What’s that?! They can’t see one week ahead let alone one month, few months ahead. Many mention they
just.
don’t.
care.
anymore.
Work pays the bills. That’s it.
All have “switched off mentally” and in the countdown to a time when they can switch jobs or simply get out of the workforce altogether such as retirement.
I think it’s also the age in their 50s that they have seen so many workplace changes and they got to a point where they realised that “its all BS” (their words) and ultimately, just looking forward to taking charge of their own time, exploring other interests and reclaiming themselves.
At this age, for many, their kids also have grown, moved out of home, have their own lives and families which frees up time to do other things.
“It’s now time to think about me for a change,” they said.
“Good on you,” I say. 👊
I do wonder if this feeling about the workplace and of our relationship to work is an epidemic around the world? It doesn’t seem to be unusual.
Is it because we are overwhelmed with change? Of not understanding the world as it is today with the anxiety, uncertainty and dare I say the word, “weirdness” of the world?
Don’t know….
Could be we have a clearer sense of what is essential? And, related, knowing better what is most important to each of us? So says me on the cusp of turning 60.
Exactly. It’s interesting to listen to friends and family talk about this topic. There’s also another aspect to this. A few of my well qualified, highly knowledgeable and experienced friends have lots work in recent months and now finding it difficult to find new roles. They’re in their 50s too and finding that the job leads and interviews aren’t coming as often as they used to. They’re left wondering “what’s next?” 🤷♀️
One of the reasons your writing is interesting to me is that you explore “what’s next.” You have a great word—a play on the word retirement—that I’m trying to remember. You wrote about it last year.
I have to revisit that post and recall it. I write a lot of things…..wish I could remember them. 🤣