What should we talk about on the first day of May? Is it about spring or is it still about work? About everything.
About how our people’s attitude towards work has changed and the fact that now everyone plants their own garden. And we are not talking about potatoes, which most of our compatriots go to plant, according to the established tradition of the long weekend.
The point is that workers’ rights today are not something to be fought for, but something you have to allow yourself to do first. Fortunately, more and more citizens have begun to allow various pleasant things in their professional lives. How did we get to this point?
And everything happened according to the proverb. There would be no happiness, but people were tired of it. People are tired of farming. Of course not everyone.
The average working week in Russia is still increasing. However, it is growing at approximately the same “rate” as the Moon is moving away from Earth – about 15 minutes per year on average. But this indicator does not mean much, because they count everyone: workaholics who do not see the light of day, and schoolchildren who earn extra money by distributing leaflets.
Other data is much more interesting. In recent years, there is a tendency for people to refuse to work overtime. While 20% of office workers and 11% of remote workers refused to work overtime in 2020, this rate will be 24% and 23% respectively in 2023.
And people began to sacrifice less and less for the sake of their careers. In the last two years, the number of employees who are not ready to take restrictions to advance in business life has increased by 25% among millennials and 19% among closers. Many have finally realized that no concessions made to their superiors today guarantee anything for tomorrow, that the management’s proposals to strive for a brighter future are ordinary manipulation. While only a few build a real career, the majority end up with burnout, stress and heart problems. The idea of success in general has been thrown out.
Instead, the concepts of “silent layoffs” and “green work environment” are now trending.
- The first is a good old Italian strike. People fulfill the duties they undertake in the employment contract to the letter, and no sacred spirit of corporateness and the concept of “we are a family” can overcome them.
- Secondly, the refusal to see a management genius in a cruel boss and the opportunity for personal, God forgive me, growth in irregular shifts.
The top five reasons for leaving today include toxic management (56%), unhealthy team environment (44%) and inappropriate schedules (42%). Interestingly, previously dissatisfaction with superiors was rarely cited as a reason for changing jobs, for example, but now finally people are not ready to put up with rudeness.
And most importantly, no one is particularly afraid. According to the results of the ROMIR study (a research center that conducts all types of sociological, marketing and media research. – socialbites.ca)Almost 70% of working Russians are confident in the future and evaluate business risks as low. During the year, Russians’ fear of not being able to find a suitable job in case of layoff fell from 42% to 34%; fewer workers also admitted concerns about possible salary delays, non-payment of bonuses and unpaid leaves. 33% versus 41%.
This fearlessness is partly linked to the personnel crisis shaking the country. But it’s not just about making the worker’s life better and more enjoyable. Rather, this is because people are practically convinced of how true the folk wisdom is, telling about the enviable fate of a horse who never managed to become the head of a collective farm, like the pawn of kings. And I saw something else in the new conditions. It turns out that this is not just a collective farm, there is still a lot of free pasture in the world. It has also been revealed that brave horses who take risks and run away generally do not make mistakes.
The number of self-employed people in Russia has reached 10 million people. It is clear that not all of them were such free artists. Many people do not work for themselves but work for some large companies; In a world dominated by the gig economy, they are optimized, so to speak. But there are others; Those who actually produce their own products or still offer more exclusive services.
By the way, both the first and the second can set their own work schedule, determine the maximum load and adjust operating conditions. The first has less room to maneuver, the second more – but the main thing is that it is there.
Freelancers have the same opportunities. Many have the same self-employment, but not all. Some work on contractual agreements and pay standard personal income tax. There are workers with irregular working hours who choose to work part-time. There are staff units that work remotely. The traditional forty-hour workweek standard, 8- or 12-hour shifts, does not apply to all these people. They are free to arrange for themselves even a period of four days, which we only timidly dream of, advancing triumphantly across Europe.
Why dream? At least a third of the economically active population can easily afford it. Yes, with certain costs, with some loss of income in the short term. However, if you try, it is possible that over time everything will balance out and your earnings will increase. You shouldn’t be afraid to try.
I am one of these experimenters. A year ago, I reduced my training load to a minimum. My academic hours now span four days. Moreover, classes are held strictly in the afternoon. In the mornings, I prepare for classes and write my columns. In general, I gradually took a shortened work week and provided for myself.
Of course, everything is good only in theory. In practice, one way or another. Then on Wednesday morning I have to go to the dentist with my youngest, and then work on one of the planned texts is postponed until Friday, which is actually not for work, but for household chores and trips to the same doctors. Then, on the same Friday, the final of a youth journalism competition is held, so we meet with the students and go. Damn, procrastination is often beyond me, instead of processing students’ texts and publishing part of the school newspaper on Thursday morning, I fool around on social networks and then work on order on Saturday. Yes, you need strict discipline not to violate the schedule. But I’m not giving up. And I hope to win this fight. I know this is more than true. At least the outcome here absolutely does not depend either on the authorities or on the economic situation in the country.
150 years ago, the eight-hour working day had to be won through demonstrations. And today many people have the right to set six-hour or four-day shifts for themselves. And whoever does not have this right can gain this right by leaving the office or factory. Oh yes, for this you need to be a specialist whose services will be in demand in space, that is, on the free market. You have to pay for everything in this world.
But most importantly, there is an opportunity. And this is wonderful!
The author expresses his personal opinion, which may not coincide with the position of the editors.
What are you thinking?
Source: Gazeta
Dolores Johnson is a voice of reason at “Social Bites”. As an opinion writer, she provides her readers with insightful commentary on the most pressing issues of the day. With her well-informed perspectives and clear writing style, Dolores helps readers navigate the complex world of news and politics, providing a balanced and thoughtful view on the most important topics of the moment.