The Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society (HWG LU) organized a digital conference on "New Work" together with Zukunftsinitiative Rhineland-Palatinate (ZIRP) e.V. organized a digital conference on the topic of "New Work" on November 20, 2020. Minister President Malu Dreyer, BASF and ZIRP board member Michael Heinz and Prof. Dr. Jutta Rump, head of the university-affiliated Institute for Employment and Employability, provided exciting impulses.
Digitalization is changing the world of work and therefore also personnel management and collaboration. Employees and prospective managers of Generation Y and Z are also bringing their own self-image and expectations of development opportunities and workplace design into the company. The coronavirus pandemic is acting as an additional driver.
The young generation's expectations of New Work and the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on work were therefore the central topics of the "Work-a-thon".
After an introduction to the topic by University President Prof. Dr. Peter Mudra and Prof. Dr. Klaus Blettner, Dean of the Marketing & Human Resources Management Department, Rhineland-Palatinate's Minister President Malu Dreyer focused on the connection between technology, communication and collaboration in her keynote speech, particularly with regard to the younger generation: "We are on the threshold of a major generational change. That is why it is so important to know what Generation Y and Z expect from their future workplace, from their future employer," said the Minister President. Michael Heinz, Member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE and Chairman of the ZIRP, then looked at the impact of the current pandemic on the world of work: "Corona has shown that much more is possible than we thought. Now it's about defining the new normal - even after corona - and not falling back into old patterns. We will work in a more flexible and hybrid way. At the same time, we must not completely question our presence." In the third keynote speech of the day, IBE Director Prof. Dr. Jutta Rump was convinced that the coronavirus pandemic will have a significant impact on Generation Z: "Due to the crisis, Generation Z is currently experiencing that the job market is more of an employer market, although there is also a shortage of skilled workers. In addition, there are massive transformation processes with digitalization, structural change in the economy and awareness of climate and environmental protection. This leads to uncertainty."
The impetus was taken up in three subsequent workshops: Around 100 participants - including junior staff as well as HR managers and executives from companies in Rhineland-Palatinate and the metropolitan area Rhine-Neckar - discussed the workplace of the future, their own role in the company and development opportunities there. Prof. Dr. Stephan Weinert, Professor of International HR Management at HWG LU, led the "My role in the company" workshop together with Nicole Haeffner from SAP SE. His conclusion: "We were able to lead a great and stimulating breakout session on topics such as "Shared leadership in virtual teams", "The curse and blessing of modern communication" and "Flexibility versus workload in the home office". Many thanks to all the panelists!"
Overall, the digital conference made it clear that New Work is not just about working styles and methods, but is closely linked to people's need for fulfillment, meaningfulness and stability.
Background: ZIRP
Founded in 1992, the Zukunftsinitiative Rhineland-Palatinate (ZIRP) e.V. is a joint initiative of business, politics, science and culture that strengthens the state as an international business location, an attractive place to live and work and a vibrant place of European culture. The ZIRP promotes dialog between various social groups and provides impetus for forward-looking topics and projects. It sees itself as a network, a source of inspiration and a location initiative. The Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society is also part of the ZIRP.
Further information can be found at: www.zirp.de
