Dr Wendy Sarkissian manages a small firm from a half-acre block in a tiny village in northern NSW. With modern telecommunications equipment, a pool of skilled colleagues and a modicum of self-discipline, she represents many modern-day workers searching for work-life balance while serving the demands of markets in diverse locations. Many in her demographic group are choosing alternative work contexts, while still engaging enthusiastically in their professional lives. She travels widely, has clients in several Australian states and is a frequent keynote presenter at international conferences. One client is conveniently located on the Big Island of Hawai’i.
This work life is not peculiar to Dr Sarkissian. It’s a reflection of deep social and demographic changes which we must understand is we are to create flexible and adaptive organisations. While it is true that the future is not fully determined, understanding trends and social processes helps us imagine and plan more accurately for alternative futures. Trends in urban planning, employment, ageing and information technology combine to have a huge impact on the ways we will work in the future. And the seeds of much of our work futures can be seen in present trends – if we inspect them closely.
We spend so much time at work. We are reluctant to take holidays. And yet for many people their place of work is not a place of satisfaction. Workspaces designed to meet workers’ needs – at many levels -- can have a huge impact on mental health and happiness. Wendy Sarkissian, an expert in planning and design with people in mind, explains the trends we need to understand, tells her own story of the challenges of being a homeworker for many years and explains the range of issues involved. |
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