Quick Read

Quick Read: Enabling the new careers of the 21st century

The new careers of the 21st century are not stable compared to the perfect corporate climb of the 1950’s. There is a bigger presence of women in the workforce, less job security and more focus on psychological aspects of success. Therefore, many workers have moved onto new career paths, changing organisations, making sideways rather than upward moves and often including breaks in employment. The expectation is that employees will manage their own careers, choosing to work for companies that give opportunities to meet their objectives. Organisations need to welcome these realities of 21st century careers. They need to accept the importance of programmes and policies that help the careers of their employees. Career-enabling programmes address time control issues including part-time options, job sharing, flexi-time, telecommuting and leave. They also address knowledge and skills development such as training, job swapping, time off for education and direct guidance from more experienced staff. Such programmes help employees meet both career and life goals and will help the long-term success of the organisation.

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