Get paid more for fewer hours: Richard Branson
Business magnate Richard Branson believes that the advance of technology could help accelerate the marketplace to much smarter working practices.
Founder of Virgin Group, Branson said he believes the way we all work is going to change in the coming years.
Speaking on his blog, he pointed out that Google’s Larry Page and others have said that the amount of jobs available for people is going to decrease as technology advances.
“New innovations will drive industries forward, but they will also reduce our reliance on people power. Ideas such as driverless cars and drones are becoming a reality, and machines will be used for more and more jobs in the future. Who knows, maybe even pilot-less planes, could become reality one day,” he said.
On the face of it, Branson said that this sounds like bad news for people. “However, if governments and businesses are clever, the advance of technology could actually be really positive for people all over the world. It could help accelerate the marketplace to much smarter working practices.”
He said that the idea of working five days a week with two day weekends and a few weeks of annual holiday is just something people accept.
“For some reason, it is considered set in stone by most companies. There is no reason this can’t change. In fact, it would benefit everyone if it did,” the entrepreneur said.
Branson said that people at Virgin already have flexible working options. “Many people out there would love three day or even four day weekends. There are a lot of people out there who would want to job share, and would love longer holidays.”
He said that by working more efficiently, there is no reason why people can’t work less hours and be equally – if not more – effective.
“People will need to be paid more for working less time, so they can afford more leisure time. That’s going to be a difficult balancing act to get right, but it can be done.”
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