Technological change/multifactor productivity increases...

[KrazyHorse]

are causing high-level professional work to:

a) involve longer work hours
b) become relatively higher-paying
c) decrease in autonomy
d) be a higher proportion of total employment

And are having the exact opposite effects on manual labour

Discuss.

[DanS]

Decrease in autonomy? Can you describe what do you mean by that?

[Al B. Sure!]

I don't take issue with what you're proposing. Generally speaking, that has been true. Though the relationship with autonomy (assuming I understand what you mean by autonomy as ability to work independently without direct supervision) is a bit iffy. I'm not sure manual laborers have much autonomy nor that high level professionals are lacking in autonomy, although I am not a high level professional.

[loinburger]

My brother works 10-14 hour days because he works in high tech. I work 8 hour days because I do IT for medium-low tech - 90% of my co-workers are blue collar. He makes about 50% more than me, but I wouldn't want to be in his shoes.

[Asher]

Work hours are things you control. I know far too many people who work far too long at the same salaried job that doesn't pay overtime.

Things may be different for you due to the bonus structure, but in my field...an hour of overtime is an hour of stolen personal time, and that's it. No compensation. Despite this, I know way too many of my friends work about 12 hours a day at the same job so they look better for their managers, in the aim of getting a promotion. It's ****ing retarded.

I'm a strict 9-5 guy with my day job. Everyone knows it. If I work overtime, it's for special circumstances only and I take time off in lieu of it. If you insist on it, and make it clear...and you're good enough at what you do, it's fine.

Investment banks are a different beast, of course. By working in the field as a full-timer, you accept the ridiculous hours.

[KrazyHorse]

Decrease in autonomy? Can you describe what do you mean by that?

There is greater cooperation among higher-skill peer workers, whereas previously individuals would work on their own projects with the support of lower-skill workers

[KrazyHorse]

I don't work ridiculous hours. 12 hours a day.

[MikeH]

Agree with all except the working hours for both. Think this still depends on the specific job/company culture whether it's manual or professional.

[dannubis]

I don't work ridiculous hours. 12 hours a day.

As long as you like what you do that should not be a problem

[Heraclitus]

As long as you like what you do that should not be a problem

Greedy people always like what they do. Also if they follow their greed they and get the job that pays the most they are being altruistic. Right KH?

[dannubis]

No, people with high aspirations do that too... Money isn't my primary driver when I work late...

[MikeH]

It's not mine either.

[rah]

Work hours are things you control. I know far too many people who work far too long at the same salaried job that doesn't pay overtime.

Things may be different for you due to the bonus structure, but in my field...an hour of overtime is an hour of stolen personal time, and that's it. No compensation. Despite this, I know way too many of my friends work about 12 hours a day at the same job so they look better for their managers, in the aim of getting a promotion. It's ****ing retarded.

I'm a strict 9-5 guy with my day job. Everyone knows it. If I work overtime, it's for special circumstances only and I take time off in lieu of it. If you insist on it, and make it clear...and you're good enough at what you do, it's fine.

Investment banks are a different beast, of course. By working in the field as a full-timer, you accept the ridiculous hours.

Yeah, I mostly agree. I'll do my day and leave unless there's something that is really important. (and I judge whether it's important) Some of the younger guy work 12 hours days to impress their bosses, but in the last couple of years, No raises or minimal ones, reduction in profit sharing matches, requiring a higher percentage for medical, lower or no bonuses, and they expect me to kill myself with long hours. Not likely. And I'm a firm believer that after 11 hours you start making mistakes that just make you work longer the next day. If you work 12 hours a day for any period of time, you'll burn out and not be effective.

[MikeH]

I am basically the same.

The funny thing is, when I work overtime I get bosses going out of their way to thank me for the extra effort. The people who do it habitually never get thanked, it's just assumed.

[Krill]

are causing high-level professional work to:

a) involve longer work hours
b) become relatively higher-paying
c) decrease in autonomy
d) be a higher proportion of total employment

And are having the exact opposite effects on manual labour

Discuss.

I'd say it is true in healthcare, but they have always worked as the patients require the assistance and that is due to the holistic patient care approach, and shifts of familiar multidisciplinary teams that have to work together that have increased employment as more disciplines are added to a hospitals staff.

Pay isn't increasing though.