Will 9-to-5 jobs be extinct by 2034?

In case you missed it, LinkedIn’s co-founder, Reid Hoffman made a startling prediction: 9-to-5 jobs will be extinct by 2034 (Yahoo! Finance). And the internet had some stark reactions. 

But is he right? I think he is. 

We're already in the future of work

Whether we realize it already or not, we’ve arrived at the future of work. How we work today looks vastly different compared to how we worked 10 years ago.

In the last decade, we’ve made strides in:

• Remote work: Companies across the globe have experienced pivoting to a remote work environment (whether they've chosen to stay there or not is a different story)

• Hybrid work: We've realized that a combination of virtual and in-person connection can create a healthy work-life balance without sacrificing productivity

• Flex Scheduled: Many computer-based white-collar jobs allow for flex schedules to accommodate life events outside of work

• Asynchronous work: We don't all need to work at the same time; we can share information across multiple channels and still keep productivity levels high

• Inclusivity: While we have ways to go, many corporations have reacted to socio-economic events by increasing women's healthcare protections, discussing mental health in the workplace, and improving benefits for the LGBTQIA+ community

• Work-life blend: Work-life balance isn't the only option on the table, now employers are often embracing work-life blend to accommodate for roles and individuals that don't fit perfectly within the 9-to-5 schedule.

How work will look in 2034

How we work today is night and day compared to how we used to work. And how we'll work in 2034 is going to look vastly different, too. We're already seeing some huge advancements in the world of work that I predict will continue through 2034.

Implementing and accepting AI in the workplace

While less than 25% of the US population uses ChatGPT (BackLinko), AI isn't going away. ChatGPT is arguably one of the more user-friendly and applicable AI software systems around. But ChatGPT isn't the only AI on the market. There are other AI platforms that are used to create videos, marketing materials, blogs, training content, and more. So, while only 23% of the population is using the simplest form of AI, there are a few industry leaders building upon it's capabilities for other use cases. If you want to stay relevant in 2034, I recommend using some simple conversational AI platforms (like ChatGPT) to build a foundational understanding, before you're left in the dust.

Embedding business analytics into multiple job functions

MBA programs were quick to include analytics into their degrees after seeing major Fortune 500 companies like the NFL, Deloitte, Meta, Google, and more capitalize on analytics. Have you ever been asked to track statistics or send reports to your manager? Well, that's a basic version of business analytics. While software programs like Microsoft Excel still command the market, more positions are asking for basic coding experience or at leader Microsoft Power BI experience to implement business analytics into every job.

Developing skills relevant to the future

HR and learning professionals will tell you there's been a lot of talk on skills-based education. In the past, we've steered away from skills when it comes to training; instead we've been focusing on knowledge or even abilities. Soon, you'll notice a direct tie from job descriptions, to skills, to performance management.

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Embracing the gig economy

If you've never heard of the gig economy, now you have. Freelancing, fractional work, and gigs are all examples of the gig economy. As employers focus on downsizing or "right sizing" their organizations to the leanest possible form, this mean they're cutting functions and services throughout their portfolio. Does that mean they no longer need those functions and services? Absolutely not; they still need them. But, instead of paying someone a full-time salary plus benefits, they would rather hire tat person for a higher rate and a shorter period of time, still saving them thousands.

Where Hoffman is Wrong

I almost completely agree with Hoffman. The world of work is going to look very different in 2034. But will 9-to-5 jobs be dead in 2034, I don't think so. The 9-to-5 schedule has dominated the industry for decades. Plus, there are still several industries (like service and manufacturing) that heavily rely on regular scheduled. So, I think Hoffman is a bit aggressive in his timeline. But, I do think that 9-to-5 work will mostly disappear in our lifetime.