Is it me or has work changed significantly since the 2020 pandemic?
I know that in a number of service industries what were once considered labor and staffing shortages are now just the norm. Employers have had to learn how to do more with less.
As we approach 2024, two years after the pandemic receded, we inhabit an increasingly uncertain world that appears to be at the cusp of a great economic depression as it hovers on the brink of a third global war. Good times [sarcasm].
And I hear there are people who have yet to return to the actual office to work. How crazy is that?
In the arena of homeless advocacy, we are seeing an uptick in newly homeless individuals and families due to the rent easements installed during the pandemic evaporating. There are people who haven’t come out from under the burdens the pandemic imposed upon them.
The pandemic accelerated existing trends in remote work, e-commerce, and automation, with up to 25 percent more workers than previously estimated potentially needing to switch occupations.
The Future of Work After COVID-19, McKinsey & Co.
While some industries and businesses appear to be experiencing a hiring spree, others are faring far less fortunately.
Many churches are still struggling, too.
“Whatever things you are doing, do them well. Remember that you are serving the Lord. You are not only serving people.”
Colossians 3:23 (EASY English Bible)
All of these symptoms are indicative that work no longer is how it was prior to the pandemic.
Is that your perspective as well or are things pretty much the same as they alway were before the pandemic upended our world?
There is an increase in remote work and AI is potentially speeding up the automation of some work and thus eliminating the need for some positions once filled by people.
Terri recently went to a new burger place in town and upon arrival noticed that the typical counter service was now manned by a digital screen. She entered our order as two people, a man and a woman, prepared our food.
While this was a different dining experience, the food was really flavorful and our experience overall exceeded expectations. This makes how we ordered less significant than it would be had the meal been less than stellar.
The Devotional Guy™
More people are working remotely, or able to divide their work time between home and the office.
“The Lord God took the man and he put him in the Garden of Eden. God wanted the man to work in the garden and to take care of it.”
Genesis 2:15 (EASY English Bible)
There appears to be an increased focus on work safety and employee wellbeing overall.
Paper trails appear to be a thing of the distant past as our digital footprint increases.
Due to the rapidly changing economic landscape and technological transformation, generalists are finding themselves in greater demand than ever before in work history because they are quick to pivot and adapt.
How has work changed for you since the pandemic?
What changes have you noticed in your local grocery store or favorite restaurant since the pandemic?
Have you changed careers because of the pandemic?
Abundant Blessings,
Rainer Bantau
The Devotional Guy™
The Devotional Guy™ 
In my area: There are plenty of jobs available around us; there just aren’t people who want to work. The generalists are tired because they’re doing it all. There is a homelessness problem here… the big city is shuttling people to the smaller towns which are ill equipped to handle the problem, mostly because these are not families and individuals who can’t find work. These are drug addicts. Addiction is on the rise, and help is available, but people have to want to be helped. There is a ton of help for housing, cell phones, food, utilities, etc, for those who are low income… and the guy begging for gas money next to the gas station is driving a way nicer car than I can afford. I’m pretty sure that the family we saw asking for handouts in the Walmart parking lot is the same family that was wheeling around a cart of entertainment when I rolled past them 20 minutes earlier. sigh
I’ve started avoiding the self check out in favor of providing job security for the few cashiers that are still around. If you call them by name and say something encouraging to them they light up like a kid at Christmas. We never did eat out much, but I’ve been thinking about inviting company over for dinner more often. There are a LOT of young people who love spending time with families and they are hungry for mentors. Relationships are usually the most effective way to speak into other people’s lives and discipleship is the biblical model for changing the world. I think that if we are paying attention, we should be able to find more than a little motivation to get to it!
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Thanks for reading this post, David and for sharing from your experiences.
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Thanks for reading my post and sharing your thoughts!
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Yes, our local fast food is just a screen. I put in our order and check myself out and pick up my own food. And at the grocery store, I scan my own items, check myself out, and bag my own items. Hey, feels like I should be collecting a paycheck after all that work! Haha
I miss the more face-to-face customer service, that’s for sure. Even when ordering pizza, there’s an option for them to just leave it at the door and not even say hello. Is it just me, or is this a bit… sad?
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The Great Depression will look like an economic boom if things do not turn around soon. Over 50% increase in rent, shortage in homes/apartments available, food at historic highs and the craziness over fuel prices. Insane prices for homes that come on the market. Rent Management companies buying up any property that appears and renting them out at NYC prices. Orgs (like RCC and others) are funding people from different parts of the globe who don’t speak English to live in expensive homes and have brand new vehicles. Less workers at restaurants, high wages for them, higher prices, seeing some close now as the model is not sustainable. Services is not the best and the wait time is ridiculous. Scratch cooking it. 🙂
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In education, there’s much more virtual learning (at home on a mobile device) going on. More school systems have a one-to-one ratio, between these devices and students. In other words, everyone takes home an iPad or Chrome Book every night.
Restaurant wise, it seems fewer folks actually walk into a place to eat these days. More order on an app, and either pick it up or have it delivered. It’s kinda sad, because I actually liked the face-to-face interaction with my favorite coffee shop barista. Now she wears a head set and hands coffee out a window.
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