In the 1980's when I was a younger professional, I felt cool carrying a briefcase,wearing smart professional dress, and having my own office. Now, the younger professionals wear casual clothes and sit with their laptops in noisy spaces to do their work. They eat and work; drink and work; and look at their phones and work. We professionals of the Baby Boomer generation would have felt highly unprofessional to sit in Starbucks and be part of a virtual team meeting. Of course, it was not a possibility; the technology had not been imagined or developed. Being old fashioned, for I cannot be otherwise, I find working in a noisy cafe completely distracting and too public. I am able to read in a busy place, but sometimes that becomes difficult due to the noise--music and voices. Having a conversation becomes challenging at times!
I do not know why our manner in working has changed so much, other than the capability to do so and a relaxation of boundaries. Each generation has to change their ways to prove they are independent. I did the same. Thankfully, one visits the doctor, dentist, lawyer, or accountant in a typical office. Can you imagine medical appointments being conducted in a busy plaza? Sounds ridiculous--but not impossible.
Telework certainly has advantages. Let's be honest, working at home was popularized due to the COVID pandemic. Then people decided they could become expatriats and still keep their employment. Participation in a meeting in a quiet office in one's home seems appropriate, but a busy cafe? Aside from the lack of separation between work and relaxation, the importance of the work being accomplished is diminished, in my opinion. Perhaps, some of this "work" is not that vital to begin with. What are "project managers"? How are so many people "project managers"? What do they do? Why are so many meetings necessary? The latter was already a problem in my job during the 1970's to the 2010's.
The separation between time at work, in social or recreational activities, and at home helped me to be more efficient and focused. The work environment fostered my identity. How could I write a decent educational report or talk to a parent on the phone while folding laundry? How could I make decisions related to my job when I could hear the pitter patter of my kids upstairs?
I worked in a school with children, consulted with teachers, did my paperwork, and went home or to the gym. To go to a restaurant to do any of these tasks would have been grounds to be fired. This is not to say that we did not make private phone calls at work; it was a necessity, since employment and office hours coincided.
I learned a great deal about my profession and my colleagues when I worked away from home. I met others from different backgrounds who I would never have met if I had worked virtually. We grow as human beings in our jobs, partly because of the peers we interact with on a daily basis. Spouses, partners, children, and friends add richness to our lives. As a young and older professional, I would add work acquaintances in an environment separate from home or public meeting places. I cannot change the world, younger people, and technological advancement. I find myself shaking my head though. Thank you for listening.
©2024 Karen Levi
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