Have a look at the 2019 Best Jobs Report and you’ll find all the information you need to know about the future of work.

The first three months of 2019 were terrible for the economy with 60,000 jobs lost than expected.

But amid all the doom and gloom, there were some shining lights and one of them is sales.

Indeed, the report showed an increase in the sale of durable goods, including cars and electronics, and there were some surprising growth areas, such as healthcare and home services.

While the jobs picture is bleak all around the world, the United States reported a huge gain in non-farm employment opportunities in 2019. Since the pandemic began, over 5.7 million jobs have been created and about 2.5 million are still looking for employment.

Average Earnings

We don’t usually think about the average earnings of people in the jobs market because we typically think about the average earnings of farmers and factory workers. But the fact is that over 140 million American consumers now have the ability to spend money online, with over 70% living pay-check-to-pay-check. Therefore, the average consumer earns more money than ever before, with the average full time worker earning $28,000 per year.

So, while it’s great that we have such high earners, the fact is that the vast majority of American workers never see that money because the vast majority of employers aren’t paying enough to live on. Indeed, the average wage across all industries remains below the 2016 level and most employees are struggling to make ends meet.

Working Conditions

This is becoming a major issue as the unemployment rate is at an all-time high and many employees are working more than one job just to make ends meet. Indeed, the average work week is now over 45 hours and even though employers may not advertise it, most employees are expected to work on weekends and some even work on Christmas.

While this may seem like a good idea from an employer’s perspective, it’s not always beneficial for employees. Indeed, one of the major factors contributing to America’s obesity epidemic is the increased opportunity to be sedentary. Sitting down for long periods is bad for your health, with studies showing a significantly increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. Working overtime without even a few breaks per day isn’t good either.

Benefits

Many employers are starting to realize the benefits of a well-designed and fully-funded benefits program and have adopted more flexible work arrangements and remote work to remain competitive.

Even during the pandemic, companies like Amazon have continued to offer health insurance and have made some of their top employees work remotely while maintaining a high performance. Flexible working arrangements and working from home have many perks, with some employees even saying they feel more engaged and productive at work because of the changes. What’s more is that they reduce healthcare costs and lower turnover, making it a worthwhile investment for employers.

In the News

In the last few months, there have been many articles written about the growth of freelancing and contract work, with many well-known publications, such as Forbes and The New York Times, spotlighting the trend. This is because online marketplaces like Upwork and freelancing platforms, like Etsy, have made it easy for potential clients to connect with top-rated freelancers. So while the traditional 9-5 workweek may be disappearing as we know it, the online marketplaces making up the gig-work universe are here to stay and are making significant inroads into traditional job markets.

Future of Work

The pandemic has exposed many weaknesses in the traditional workplace, making employers rethink the way they provide services and the workplace overall. Indeed, during the pandemic, many employees saw their roles change and they began to question the meaning of work and the value of what they were doing. As a result, many turned to online marketplaces and platforms like Upwork to find contract work that fit their skillset.

The pandemic has also revealed many weaknesses in the social safety net, with many people falling through the cracks and into destitution. This has led many businesses, such as Amazon, to launch programs to support their employees, even during the pandemic. Indeed, as more businesses adopt remote working, many will continue to rely on supplemental income sources, such as side gigs, to stay afloat. So while it’s great to see high earners and large companies providing support during the pandemic, we need to remember that the majority of Americans still rely on daily struggles for survival, with many only able to function due to the support of their families and friends.

In conclusion, as the world shifts to a new normal, we need to ask ourselves, is it worth it? Is working for a living, serving a company, and being one with a 9-5 stigma-free and healthy? Or is opting for a freelance lifestyle, making our own hours and working remotely, still considered risky and untested?