Cyborgs, Smartphones and New Work Bullshit at the East Switzerland Personnel Day
How are people shaping the future of work? What do new working environments look like after the Corona pandemic? These fundamental questions were addressed by four speakers at the 18th Ostschweizer Personaltag in St.Gallen. New work only works thanks to digitization.
The Corona pandemic has turned the world of work upside down within a short period of time. What was once unthinkable is now taken for granted. Some employees stay at home, and the home office has taken on a whole new dimension. How sustainable is this rapidly initiated change? And what of it should be dismissed as New Work bullshit? 230 participants received food for thought on these questions at the Ostschweizer Personaltag on September 15, 2022. The Ostschweizer Personaltag is one of the most important HR conferences in Eastern Switzerland. The aim is to bring together HR experts, HR specialists and HR managers as well as executives from SMEs and to address current issues.
HR to management
Stefan Camenzind, partner and CEO of Evolution Design in Zurich, explored the changes in the work environment as a result of the pandemic. According to his research, the home office has become well established, benefiting both the individual and the team. "However, the team spirit suffers," Camenzind said. From his point of view, it is important that Human Resources is represented in the management. Zurich media scientist, lecturer and author Sarah Genner said, "The smartphone is turning us into cyborgs. It functions almost like a new sensory organ." Despite "digital sand," there needs to be enough time for normal life at a time when technology has moved close to people.
Elke Thamm, Global Head of Personnel Development at the technology company Bühler, showed that as a company, they were not only surprised by the virus, but also surprised themselves in the implementation of new forms of work. Despite digital progress, interpersonal exchange should not be neglected.
Lots of "new work bullshit"
Carlos Frischmuth, Managing Director of the international HR consultancy Hays, also delivered pointed messages on the new world of work. The author of the book "New Work Bullshit" is convinced that with the right attitude and curiosity, transformation is predictable and not a surprise. He picked apart quite a few of the excesses that the hype surrounding New Work brings with it: For example, the desire to work more independently is by no means present in all employees. And agile methods are not that new either: In many cases, it is simply a matter of "agilizing" the good old waterfall model, according to Frischmuth. What counts more and more today, however, are leadership, culture and communication. And he sees the latter in particular as a key task.
