Working Life > Working Conditions > Mobility

Occupational Mobility

Definition, Explanation

In many contexts of working and jobs, mobility (Latin, mobilitas = ability to move) plays an important role: Think of the large scale wandering of workers when big industry areas develop, of journeymen or of field service workers. For executives and project workers, business trips are normal. There are many employees who accept large distances to travel every day between work and residence.

The importance of the individual mobility has never been as important as it has become in the last few years. Not only finance and goods stream 24 hours a day and are becoming more branching and rapid. The production factor of manpower, in times of accelerating technological change and globalization, cannot avoid that development. Economy of the present and the future increasingly demands the ideal of the physically, spiritually, mentally and schedule-organizationally most mobile and flexible worker, who also is up to date in his professional matters by life-long education and adaption. Who as well has gathered experience abroad and, where required, is ready to follow his/her work through countries. If one is not keen on becoming a victim of economization and falling unemployed, one takes a good step in saying good bye to the idea of permanent sedentariness. Critics call this the modern “working nomad” who changes his place of residence following the work. Or accepts long ways to work, as a commuter. Many hours of travelling a day, be it in the car or in public transport, has become real since long for many people. Others spent the complete working week in the town of work, for which they have to arrange a second home and only return home to family and the partner on the weekends.

On the positive hand, mobility creates chances. Especially to young people, the non-binding and preliminary nature of such life, along with a connected social advancement and career opportunities, are somewhat attractive.

But critics warn: Non-boundedness has detrimental consequences. When it comes to steady social relations and emotional depth, a life model as that is rather derogatory. Partnerships often fall victim to it. Long term life planning as it was usual in former times can hardly be realized. What is developing is a singles-society with all its side-effects such as birthrate decrease and, resulting from it, society senescence and finally shrinkage.

Also people’s physical and psychical health suffers from mobility’s burdens. In the mobile life, many people feel desolate, disrooted and discontent. Long ways to work, often in traffic jams or on highways or in stuffed trains, is stressing and power-consuming. Still a reversal is not in sight, although there might be chances in future, e.g. through a replacement of personal mobility by a stronger advanced electronic mobility.

Tips, Checklist

• Commuters surveys have found that the way to work is felt less stressing if the time can be used sensibly. The ones who spend the time reading or working turned out to have a higher living quality. Also in the car, this can be realized to an extent: How about a language course, or an audio book?
• Studies have shown that the Germans are very “habitat-faithful” and rather accept disadvantages of longer ways to work than to “dare” moving houses. Fear of change and novation often makes them avoid moving. Think whether moving might not solve the one or the other problem in a better way
• Use more electronic aids as telephone, email or video conference. Not always, travelling is necessary. Many things can be done at a tele-workplace
• Arrange carpools or use regional carpooling boards. This saves your money and your energy!
• In unemployment, you should consider increasing your mobility. Why not work in another country again? Many people have ended their unemployment this way

Articles

• At 60 m.p.h., Office Work Is High Risk; NYTimes.com, September 30, 2009

Last update: 10/05/2009