Daniela Negrette, Author at Creative Circle

The Big Quit is a BIG deal. We’ve written I, II, III articles about it! Employees continue to resign amidst a changing job market. and are shameless in their reasoning! Employers are scrambling to figure out what’s the problem, while employees are openly sharing what went wrong. And after reading some of ex-employees’ stories, we understand why quitting seemed like the best decision. We’ve compiled a list of their exit reviews below!

1.

Very true in lots of cases!

2.

50 dollars????

3.

4.

Low pay and poor management? Employers need to pick a struggle.

5.

6.

Poor management seems to be a theme here.

7.

8.

Tell us more about the weird surprises, Pamela.

9.

10.

Call them back, Travis. They probably still feel the same way!

Why’d you quit your job? Join the conversation here!

I’ve lived in Bed-Stuy for over eight years and I am still discovering its many offerings. The neighborhood, which birthed artistic legends such as Lena Horne, Harry Nilsson, and Jay-Z, boasts a rich cultural legacy, and is still chock-full of artistic inspiration today. It’s also the perfect neighborhood to explore on foot, as the route from Bed-Stuy to Fort Green can be traveled along quiet, tree-lined residential streets, as opposed to busy, traffic-filled avenues.

Do The Right Thing Way

Along Stuyvesant Avenue between Quincy and Lexington is Do The Right Thing Way, the filming location of Spike Lee’s 1989 masterpiece. While Sal’s Pizzeria is no longer standing, the film’s “Bed-Stuy Do Or Die” mural has been recreated at the corner of Stuyvesant and Lexington, along with another mural, on the opposite corner, commemorating the film and its beloved characters. A great photo op for any fan of the film.

Stuyvesant Heights Historic District

This residential district is a refreshing addition to any walk. It boasts a number of quiet, tree-lined streets, on which sit gorgeous, historic red brick and brownstone row houses. The icing on the cake is the southern section of Stuyvesant Avenue, which contains the final group of rowhouses to be built in the early twentieth century. These breathtaking, neoclassical structures are particularly beautiful in the fall and spring, when their architecture can be glimpsed among the trees shedding their leaves or bursting into bloom. There are also a number of freestanding mansions in this area, including the Otto Seidenberger House, which was used as a set in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire.

Tompkins Avenue

After leaving Stuyvesant Avenue, walk west along the pleasant, residential streets to Tompkins Avenue, which is one of Bed-Stuy’s main thoroughfares, filled with restaurants, locally-owned shops and bars, and plenty of spots to sit with a coffee and people watch. On weekends during the summer months, Tompkins is closed to traffic, and pedestrians walk, shop, and mingle with local artisans who set up booths along the route.

Dear Friend Books

Dear Friend Books is a beautifully designed, meticulously curated shop on Tompkins Avenue that specializes in vintage books, magazines, and ephemera. They serve coffee and other non-alcoholic beverages (I am told they soon hope to have a liquor license) that can be enjoyed while browsing the shelves or sitting under an umbrella in their backyard patio space. I’ve picked up several art and design books here, and will definitely be going back for more.

The Word is Change

If you’re looking for a broader, more affordable selection of reading material, head on down the street to The Word is Change, which sells both used and new books, with a special focus on social justice and history. They also buy books, which can be exchanged for cash or store credit.

Herbert Von King Park

Named for community leader Herbert Von King, this beautiful green space serves as a kind of centerpiece to the surrounding neighborhood, à la Washington Square or Tompkins Square in Manhattan. On weekends you can walk along its meandering paths and see friends picnicking, families hosting cookouts, and dogs chasing frisbees. It also has a decent lawn area, which is perfect for spreading a blanket and reading a book. Near the center of the park is an amphitheater and cultural center, which hosts classes and programs for the community.

Harold and Maude

Harold and Maude is one of the most special vintage stores I’ve been to in Brooklyn. It carries a nice variety of styles at affordable prices, as well as a selection of antique records, jewelry, and tchotchkes. The only downside is its miniscule size, which can only comfortably accommodate around three people at a time. I recommend going on a weekday to avoid the influx of fashion-hungry hipsters.

Mr. Friendly

Walk two blocks west from Von King Park and dip into Mr. Friendly Pet Supply. Even if you don’t have a furry friend, this holistic pet store is a treat for anyone with a taste for design. Their branding is clean, playful, and yes, friendly. They make all of their products onsite in their studio, and the result is a collection of unique and affordable treats, toys, and branded merch.

Bedford Avenue

Now it’s time to head to a more bustling area: Bedford Avenue, near Bed-Stuy’s western edge. Full of bars, coffee shops, and restaurants, this is a prime location if you are looking for a night out in the neighborhood.

First stop is Do Or Dive which, as its name suggests, is a no-frills bar with cheap beer, frozen cocktails, and a cash-operated jukebox. Owned by the same people as two other favorite Brooklyn dives (Luckydog and Skinny Dennis in Williamsburg), this is a great spot to come to with friends for a day drink or six, particularly in the warmer months, when the giant outdoor space is packed with energetic Brooklynites.

When the weather gets colder, head next door to the polar-opposite Dynaco, which, with its dark, cabin-like atmosphere and open fire pit, feels like a cozy wooden lodge, perfect for a glass of wine or a hot toddy.

If you’re not in the drinking mood, go one more down to Playground Coffee, adjacent to which is The Annex, a small bookshop which specializes in works by POC and Queer writers and artists. Then take your coffee and purchases across the street and look at the famous, two-story Biggie Smalls Mural, at the corner of Bedford and Quincy.

On the other hand, if you’re really looking for a party, head one block west to Franklin Avenue and see what’s going on at C’mon Everybody, a popular LGBT nightspot known for its dance parties, art shows, and live music. (Chances are you will see some of the same people from the previous spots.)

Whether you’re a weekend visitor or eight-year resident, Bed-Stuy is a treat for anyone needing creative inspiration. Whether it’s architecture, music, film, antiques, or nightlife, the neighborhood is filled with an array of places to explore and gather artistic fuel. Or, if what you need is to clear your head, the neighborhood’s streets and parks are the perfect location for a picturesque walk or a peaceful rest with a book.

Additional recommendations:

Marian’s
Neighborhood jazz bar with nightly music, comedy and more.

Chez Oskar
Tasty French bistro with a cozy interior and craft cocktails.

LunÀtico
Fancy cocktails, delicious small plates, and nightly music make this a must for any jazz lover.

The Billie Holiday Theater
One of the nation’s premier Black playhouses, this theater’s alumni includes performers such as Debbie Allen and Samuel L. Jackson.

Burly Coffee / Better Read Than Dead Books
Cozy, quiet coffee shop combined with an impressive selection of used books.

Lovers Rock
Fun, unique bar offering tropical drinks, reggae music, and dancing.

Sistas’ Place
Cozy, relaxed spot for jazz, poetry, and art.

About the author.

Daniel Nolen is a writer, designer, and performer in New York City. He has written about design, music, film, and theater, and can be found regularly and happily taking in concerts, shows, and exhibitions around the city. He also co-hosts the weekly comedy/variety show Cast Offs, every Monday at 8pm at Club Cumming in the East Village.

“Slashie.” Are you familiar with this word?

It made a cameo appearance in the movie Zoolander in 2001. The scene: Fabio, with glass statuette raised high, accepts the “Fabio Slashie Award” for “Best Actor ‘Slash’ Model.” He’s not just an actor or a model, but both—an actor/model.

Fast forward to 2007, when author Marci Alboher coined “slashie.” Her book One Person/Multiple Careers: A New Model for Work/Life Success asks: “Are you a ‘slash’? With technology giving us the ability to work from anywhere and the nine-to-five grind becoming a thing of the past, more and more people are building careers filled with slashes.” She cites: lawyer/chefs, police officer/personal trainers, mom/CEOs. Although these folks are doing different things, they have one overriding element in common. They are straddling multiple roles, deriving income from not one but several activities.

Profile of Slashies

MediaSilo reports the “slashie” label, “widely used abroad,” is making its way to this corner of the world. As such, it asks: “Will 2020 Kick Off the Decade of the Slashies?” To answer, it references a Bankrate survey, which shows 45% of U.S. labor force participants had a “gig outside their primary job.” An Upwork study confirms this trend from the other end. That is, about 60% of employers use flexible workers, such as freelancers and temps, who may pursue various routes and projects. As for the future, these hiring managers expect this number to increase 168% over the next 10 years.

This career style pertains mainly, but not exclusively, to Millennials, or those born in the 1980s through mid-90s. Again, Bankrate offers metrics: “40% of Millennials identify their side hustles as making up at least half of their monthly earnings.”

It makes sense. Millennials largely “want to define their own identities: to select and control how they are perceived.” Per HuffPost:. “As this generation has matured and begun careers, they have applied to their professional descriptions the same meticulous self-curation they perfected on their Instagram accounts.” Previous generations favored lifelong careers in one facet or organization, Millennials “hop around, both to fast track their ascent and to taste-test different companies and roles.”

The Big Picture

As the slashie way gains momentum, organizations need to respond accordingly. Flexibility is paramount; that pertains to structuring work as well as hiring, managing and optimizing this cohort.

“Slashies thrive on creativity, and could get bored easily if you aren’t able to feed that need for creativity or variety in daily work.” Another angle is empowerment. HuffPost suggests: “Celebrate [slashies] for their side gigs, elevate their hobbies, and arm them with the tools to make their aspirations a reality.”

LinkedIn reports companies are adjusting. Since 2016, descriptions for jobs increased the use of “work flexibility” by 78%. That term itself is multifaceted. It may entail offering modified workdays and hours. “Workplace flexibility could be a tremendous help to not only the Slash Generation and their obligations but a healthy work/life balance for everyone.”

Not all hiring managers may initially view slashies as assets; instead they may question their loyalty. A suggestion is to embrace a strategic view based on their far-ranging capabilities. That, in turn, may inspire companies to tweak job titles in line with the likes of this group. The key: use a broad perspective in considering slashies and give them incentives.

Slashies are real and gaining ground. “Allowing these individuals to find meaning in their work and do what they enjoy is crucial to their workplace engagement and success in your organization.”

The Making of a Slashie

There are other reasons slashies have evolved:

Personal growth

A multidimensional job path enables a person to pursue interests. It offers “the possibility to manage different passions.” In contrast, a one-dimensional career “can be frustrating if [people] are not able to tap into all their talents.” And using free time to explore outlets has limitations, “Very often doing something as a hobby may not be enough.”

The modern answer to job insecurity

The Guardian suggests the 2007 recession created “the fastest increasing segment of workers in both the UK and the US, the portfolio careerist.” Rather than depending on one channel for revenue, slashies branch out as a defensive play. “When our entire income comes from a single position, it only takes one redundancy programme to drop us from comfort into terror. Compare that to the slasher with multiple sources of income: if she loses a job it doesn’t matter: she still has five more.”

Greater work-life balance

“What Are ‘Slash’ Careers And Why You Need One” says this strategy promotes satisfaction and balance. “By adopting a slash career, a millennial who feels unfulfilled in a particular area, can work towards achieving balance in another area while still paying the bills and getting certain needs met.” Forbes contends: “The possibilities of slash career options are truly limitless.” They plug intellectual, emotional, spiritual and other gaps. Working in several spheres simultaneously or subsequently fosters well-being.

Enhanced marketability

Career advantages accompany being a slashie per Forbes. “Slash careers can make you more enticing to an employer.” Having a mix of specialties expands a person’s overall value. Slash careers “give you greater discipline, creativity, and a broader skills set. Companies are always looking for self-starters and innovators on their team to help them get to the next level, and people who have taken the initiative to develop a slash career are more likely to bring these qualities into their office.”

Additional income

It costs a lot to be a Millennial or member of any generation. But Forbes notes: “It’s no secret that millennials are struggling with money. They had higher rates of being late with mortgage payments, overdrawing checking accounts, and trouble with medical costs. A slash career might not help with the financial literacy aspect, but it could help pay some of those bills.” Moonlighting and side gigs can build cash reserves.

One Person/Multiple Careers referenced above sums it up. It casts slashies as “creative thinkers,” who “have discovered the antidote to boredom, burnout, job insecurity and many other workplace woes.”

Possible Potholes

There are advantages to the slashie style, but potential downsides too. They include time management challenges. In piecing together several jobs, slashies may exceed the standard 5 day/40 hour work week by not just a small margin. “For those with two or more jobs, scheduling time for self-care—seeing a move, taking a walk, drawing a bath—is even more important for mental and physical health.” Billing and accounting factor into the picture too. The slashie needs to keep careful records and stay on top of monies owed and received. “Having multiple streams of income means being responsible for tracking it and ensuring you get paid on time.”

More caveats include lack of security and consistent work. Slashies with several part-time gigs likely do not have traditional benefits that come along with full-time positions. “Chances are you have no holiday pay, no parental or sick leave, and perhaps not even any health insurance.” Slashies also are subject to highs and lows of demand, which “don’t always appear at convenient moments.” In short: “The reality is that you’re often at the behest of how the work is flowing.”

About the author.
You name it, she covers it. That’s the can-do attitude Sherry M. Adler brings to the craft of writing. A polished marketing and communications professional, she has a passion for learning and the world at large. She uses it plus the power of words to inform and energize stakeholders of all kinds. And to show how all of this can make a difference, she calls her business WriteResults NY, LLC.

What is it about summer? Through the years, it has captured the imagination of those in the music industry with lyrics and melodies.

For example, the Lovin’ Spoonful start out by lamenting about the “back of my neck gettin’ dirty and gritty” in “Summer in the City.” John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John share starkly differing memories about how they met and spent their “Summer Nights” together in the movie Grease. Perhaps Mongo Jerry put it best when he crooned: “In the Summertime, when the weather is hot, You can stretch right up and touch the sky.” Whatever it is about this season, top hits galore revolve around it.

For a change of pace, Creative Circle presents this summer playlist. Listen, sway, recharge and, most of all, enjoy!

Playlist
1. “Heat Wave” – Martha and the Vandellas
2. “Summer Breeze” – Seals & Crofts
3. “Suddenly Last Summer” – The Motels
4. “All Summer Long” – Kid Rock
5. “Sun Is Shining” – Bob Marley
6. “Cruel Summer” – Bananarama
7. “Hot Fun in the Summertime” – Sly and The Family Stone
8. “Watermelon Sugar” – Harry Styles
9. “Summer Fever” — Donna Summer
10. “Walking on Sunshine” – Katrina and The Waves

1. “Heat Wave” — Martha and the Vandellas
Martha Reeves and company offer a pulsating tribute to love and summer in this classic hit. This popular 60’s vocal girl group characterizes the feeling of desire as “a heat wave, burning in my heart.” The infectious beat and Motown vibe catapulted this tune to #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B chart in 1963. It stayed in that top spot for four weeks as the trio sang: “Now that funny feeling has me amazed, Don’t know what to do, my head’s in a haze, it’s like a heat wave.” More than 50 years later, in 2017, Billboard placed this original rendition of the song in the #12 position in its 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time. “Is this the way love’s supposed to be?” Guess so!

2. “Summer Breeze” — Seals & Crofts
A vast change in tempo from the prior song, “Summer Breeze” is as soothing as it is harmonious. As such, its poetic aura reflects the words of the chorus: “Summer breeze makes me feel fine, Blowin’ through the jasmine of my mind.” Recorded by many other artists going forward, this soft rock version comes in at #19 on Rolling Stone’s “Best Summer Songs of All Time.” The Isley Brothers made a rendition of it, which became a hit too. The gentle essence of this tune resonates with fans from the 1970s to the present. “See the curtains hangin’ in the window, In the evening on a Friday night, A little light a-shinin’ through the window, Let me know everything’s all right.”

3. “Suddenly Last Summer” — The Motels
Can summer seem eerie? When a new wave band from Berkeley, CA, writes and sings about it, it can and does. Created and videoed in a film noir genre, this tune borrows its name purely by chance from the title of a work by southern playwright Tennessee Williams, who died in the same year and month this single was released, February 1983. Now that’s eerie. Its lyrics suggest how quickly time goes by, in an instant or “suddenly,” as in “A place for a moment, An end to a dream.” The chorus offers a haunting and quizzical refrain: “One summer never ends, One summer never begins, It keeps me standing still, It takes all my will, And then suddenly, Last summer.”

4. “All Summer Long” — Kid Rock
A rhythmic, country-infused recording, this 2008 hit tells the story of a special experience over the course of one summer. In feel-good fashion, Kid Rock reminisces about a warm-weather love from days gone by. “It was 1989, my thoughts were short my hair was long, Caught somewhere between a boy and man, She was seventeen and she was far from in-between, It was summertime in Northern Michigan.” This was a recipe for fun, which they had while “Singing sweet home Alabama all summer long.” Legions of fans had fun with this tune too, which earned this artist his first Top 10 Country Hit. A group of talented people collaborated on “All Summer Long,” including Robert James Ritchie AKA Kid Rock.

5. “Sun Is Shining” – Bob Marley
“Sun is shining, the weather is sweet, yeah, Make you wanna move your dancing feet now, To the rescue, here I am, Want you to know, y’all, can you understand? Here I am.” That’s how this reggae music star frames the message to get out and enjoy the day while the “sun is shining.” Marley, a Jamaican singer, songwriter and musician, recorded, re-recorded, remixed and re-released this song several times. As a result, throughout the years, it went from relative obscurity to “one of the most popular” in his repertoire. Fun fact — Marley opened an outdoor concert in Lenox, Massachusetts, which had to be rescheduled twice because of inclement weather. As he started to perform “Sun is Shining,” the rain stopped instantly.

6. “Cruel Summer” — Bananarama
How could you depart the city and abandon me for the summer? That’s the question at the core of this song. It’s the reason this new wave British female trio resents being “here on my own” and bemoans “It’s a cruel, cruel summer.” What’s more: “The city is crowded, my friends are away… It’s too hot to handle, so I got to get up and go.” Translation: they’re not happy, but have to make the best of it while “trying to smile but the air is so heavy and dry.” (Note: dry air rather than humidity? Be happy.) The official video shows that, to pass the time, they work on cars, bop around, do some bad girl things, and, in their inimitable style, eat bananas.

7. “Hot Fun in the Summertime” — Sly and The Family Stone
The year was 1969 when Sly and bandmates recorded this iconic number. They did so shortly before performing it at the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, which set their career into orbit. This single pays homage to summer’s popularity. After all, school is out and you can attend a “country fair in the country sun.” But the best thing about this tune is that it’s downright cool and, in the vernacular of the day, groovy. It rose to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart and #3 of the Billboard soul singles chart. And in the highly competitive year for new releases, it ranked #7 and sits midway on the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”

8. “Watermelon Sugar” — Harry Styles
Put British vocal sensation Harry Styles together with luscious watermelon and what do you have? A winner! This recording, described as “horn- and guitar-driven rock, funk-pop, indie pop,” blends several styles. The idea for it comes from the American novel In Watermelon Sugar. Styles collaborated in writing this tune, which is from his second studio album, Fire Line, released in 2019. Fans around the world enjoyed the vibe, sending this song into the Top Ten in more than 20 countries. In the U.S., “Watermelon Sugar” marks the singer’s first #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100. The official 2020 music video takes place on a beach in Malibu, California; it features Styles, an abundance of bikini-clad sunbathers and slices of watermelon.

9. “Summer Fever” — Donna Summer
Here’s a two for one: Donna Summer singing about summer! It’s always a hot time for the disco queen as she lets loose on whatever musical magic she creates. This one is super hot, as in “Winds may come and the winds may flow, But there’s no wind can cool me of my fever, summer fever, Summer fever.” She’s referring to both the “time of love, time of year,” when “Temperature’s rising, our bodies near in fever, summer fever, Summer fever.” This song is a track on Four Seasons of Love, her fourth studio album, released in 1978. This collection achieved certified gold status and every single from it reached #1 on the disco chart. Catch the fever, summer fever!

10. “Walking on Sunshine” — Katrina And The Waves
What’s it like to be in love? According to Katrina and her three bandmates it’s like “walking on sunshine.” This recording comes from this British rock group’s album of the same name, which dates back to 1985 but lives on prominently in music land. It is the Waves’ best-known song and their first American Top 40 hit. The savvy four somehow managed to keep the full publishing rights to this piece, which typically are shared with the songwriter(s). The royalties they derived over the years have brought them loads of money, especially since the tune has been used as music in advertisements. And that arrangement, for sure, has given them the sense of “walking on sunshine… And don’t it feel good!”

Music does wonders for your mind and soul. Creative Circle sends this collection your way as a brief antidote. And with that said and done, get back to your assignments!

The workers have spoken (or, rather, Slacked): A widespread return to the office is not happening anytime soon. Even as workplaces have upped the ante with in-person perks far beyond breakroom snacks, most employees still say you can’t beat the comforts of home.

But while long commutes, overpriced lunches and an off-kilter work-life balance are things employees obviously don’t want to revisit, there is still one benefit to office life that can be hard to replicate remotely: connection.

According to Harvard Business Review, the pandemic accelerated a decrease in connections across wider networks. While employees made an effort to keep in contact with their closer relationships, the review said, broader informal interactions — once a common side effect of casual deskside chats or running into a coworker in the hallway — had plummeted. According to the survey, this has impacts on everything from productivity (people who feel more connected to their work also feel more productive) to innovation, such as sparking new ideas and collaborating with others.

Especially hard hit? Employees on the lowest levels: Recent graduates have found their experience of the workplace to be extremely isolating and have not had the opportunity to engage with potential mentors or feel they are contributing on a meaningful level.

For working creatives and artists, going it solo has often been a major plus. But that doesn’t mean that working collaboratively is gone for good, or that it can’t be lonely from time to time when your cat is your coworker (and never refills the coffee pot). Especially when you want to reach a new level in your career, seek new clients, or explore new possibilities, having a professional network you can turn to for referrals and recommendations is crucial.

From online daters to online commenters, many of us have been building relationships in the digital space for a long time. But how can that translate into finding your next freelance or full-time work opportunity?

Whether you’ve adopted a remote-first work schedule, transitioned to freelance, launched a digital nomad lifestyle or have always worked as an independent creator, here are some ideas to grow your professional connections.

Make the first move

The art of networking has obviously come a long way since the days of passing out business cards, awkward icebreakers and Sharpie nametags. As Sam Mani writes in Art Business Journal:

“If you think networking is simply about advancing your own career, it’s time to change that mindset. Rather, focus your networking efforts on connecting through your passions and creating a community, and that requires being open to others and their needs. As the Young Entrepreneurs Council puts it, successful networkers ‘…go beyond thinking, ‘What’s in it for me?’ to ask ‘How can I help?’’”

An offer to volunteer with a professional organization, like participating in portfolio reviews, hosting a virtual meetup, giving an online lecture, or judging Open Call art competitions in your field of expertise, will often receive a resounding welcome.

If you’re looking to find out more about a particular field, consider asking for informational interviews with professionals you admire. Virtual meetings mean the world is your oyster when it comes to finding people who do your dream job and asking them how they got there. Follow up with a thank-you note or a gift card to a coffee shop.

Join online professional networking groups

Where are the best places online to find career contacts? More than just the top tool for interoffice communication (and gossip), Slack features groups where you can meet people according to your professional or personal interests. You can also search Discord for niche communities and make connections. Remote work and digital nomad groups abound on Facebook, where anywhere from dozens to thousands of members share opportunities and resources.

For working artists, creatives, or those looking to turn a side hustle into a full-time gig, online artist communities like Artrepreneur, a global digital marketplace and membership platform, give you access to a wide array of working artists. Complete your profile. Like and follow other artists you admire. Engage with the community over chat. You just might find your next client or collaborator. On each of these platforms, introduce yourself in a post, ask an open-ended question, or engage with others in the replies of a thread to kick off the conversation.

And of course, there’s the big name in professional networking: LinkedIn. To make sure you’re in tip-top shape for potential recruiters, refresh your profile, write a mission statement, and start posting — and engaging — with content in your field of interest. Not sure where to start with connections? Tapping your alumni network is always a good first step if you’re looking for referrals, since you automatically have something in common. When it comes time to send that message inquiring about a particular company or client, your fellow alums will be that much more likely to hook you up.

Give coworking a try

As a writer, I experienced a major breakthrough when I discovered the London Writers’ Salon. During one of four daily sessions by time zone, writers from all over the world log on, chat about what they’re working on, listen to an inspiring quote, then write in tandem for 50 minutes. I never would have thought being in a giant Zoom with strangers on silent would help me get stuff done, but there’s something comforting about getting together with like-minded people and cheering each other on. Now, when possible, I try to replicate that feeling with coworking sessions in person around kitchen tables or in coffee shops with fellow freelancers. Just because I WFH doesn’t mean I always have to do it alone.

Coworking spaces in your town or city could fill that same need, and often host mixers so remote creatives from a variety of industries can meet each other IRL. Or, if you’re a leader, you can start your own critique session or creative salon. Invite a friend or two, ask them to share with their contacts, or post about the opportunity online to gauge interest. My bet is that you’ll find there are plenty of people who are just as interested and invested in making connections and building community as you are.

About the author.
Allison Stice is the editorial director at Artrepreneur. She has been published in the Bitter Southerner, Garden & Gun and Savannah Magazine, among other publications.

When I decided to write a little something for Pride month this year, my mind started racing.

I wanted to write an inspiring, thought-provoking piece about how living your true authentic life can bring about productivity, make you a better citizen and human, etc.

I thought about writing an ode to the first openly out and proud manager I worked for, and how he helped lead me to the practice of respectfully sharing my truth in a world filled with conflict and hate.

I thought to write an exposé on Rainbow Capitalism, but who would try and top Alessandra’s amazing piece from last year?

I kept writing paragraphs of fluff until I scrapped all those ideas and asked myself: If I had one chance to connect with my fellow Circlers and share how I feel during this Pride month, what would I want to express?

One emotion kept visiting me again and again – Gratitude.

Thank you.

Thank you to all those out there who allow others to be their true selves.

Thank you to the folks that wake up every day and decide to show up with empathy and humility.

Thank you to all that allow me to be as sassy and silly as I can be while getting my work done.

Not all LGBTQ+ folks are as privileged as I am to work in a place that celebrates diversity the way Creative Circle does.

Is there work to be done? Absolutely. But in less than the year that I’ve been here, I have seen such great reception and encouragement from everyone on our team. Allowing others to show up as themselves is such powerful support, and if you think it isn’t appreciated, I’m writing to tell you it is.

About the author.

David Allen is a Recruitment Coordinator from Chicago and is a member of the PRISM and Leading Green ERGs. He has a passion for equality, diversity, and inclusion, which is what brought him to Creative Circle in the first place! He enjoys yoga and painting, and just welcomed a new nephew, Logan, to the family.

The first few bars are unmistakable to music fans. Pound, pound, pound goes the keyboard in a catchy rhythmic pattern. Soon what sounds like the clicking of a typewriter (what’s a typewriter?) joins in. Then Dolly Parton croons:

Well, I tumble outta bed and stumble to the kitchen
Pour myself a cup of ambition
Yawn and stretch and try to come to life

Jump in the shower and the blood starts pumping
Out on the street, the traffic starts jumping
With folks like me on the job from 9 to 5.

That’s the opening to a 1981 #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and soundtrack to the movie of the same name — 9 to 5. NPR proclaimed: “A Cup of Ambition and Endurance: ‘9 To 5’ Unites Workers Across Decades.” The thrust of that message about the daily grind may be true, but what about those hours? Does this traditional schedule align with the ebb and flow of the business community today and, more so, going forward? Is it time to adjust the 9-to-5 work clock?

The rejiggering is underway. Although movement began on a modest scale about five years ago, a monumental disruption created the impetus for change. That factor — the pandemic — has had a profound effect on the world and our business life. It redefined the setting of work for many. But that’s only the beginning.

The Influence of COVID-19

“The pandemic has been a wake-up call,” declares a post in Forbes. “It has shaken us out of our complacency. We have started seriously looking into the way we lead our lives.” That comment segues into a discussion about remote work, which “has proven to be an undisputed success.” This outcome fostered a “new mindset” which “has also shifted to other areas of our work lives. The standard 9-to-5 workweek is now up for change.” It’s in this spirit the title of this piece advises “Working 9-To-5 Is an Antiquated Relic From the Past and Should Be Stopped Right Now.”

“The 9-To-5 Schedule Should Be the Next Pillar of Work to Fall” agrees. It reports that marquee companies, such as General Motors, Meta and PepsiCo, “have incorporated remote work into their corporate cultures.” But rather than an endpoint, this repositioning is a steppingstone. That’s because “in a truly flexible workplace, people would control not just where they work but also when.”

Variations of the word “flexibility” keep coming up in these forums. The New York Times post referenced directly above notes that: “recent pandemic upheavals could open the door for new kinds of workplace flexibility.” An informed source quoted here shares a lesson that business owners learned during COVID-19. At first, they considered “work from home” as “the hill I would die on” because “I absolutely knew my company could never do it.” Then guess what? “My people proved me wrong in three weeks.” The takeaway? “What this tells us is that there is no assumption about how we work that should not be open to challenge.”

Accompanying Factors

Pandemic aside, we were getting into position to reconsider 9-to-5 anyway. The paradigm has been around for about 100 years. “In 1926, Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company, started the concept of a five-day, 40-hour workweek for his assembly line workers — down from much longer hours. The 9-to-5 workday was created to serve the needs of business titans who ran manufacturing plants that relied upon lots of people standing on assembly lines.”

Since then, the fabric of our economy has shifted from a manufacturing base to service. So has the composition of the workforce. “Rethinking 9-to-5: The Rise of Flexible Work Hours and Telecommuting” explains. “Today, work has changed dramatically and the corporate landscape looks nothing like it did in the days of Henry Ford. With the decline of manufacturing, the rise of women in the workplace and, more recently, the acceleration of new technology, it has become less necessary for everyone to work the same eight-hour shift.”

Let’s focus on the point about technology to underscore its significance. CNBC.com reports that the World Economic Forum says that we have arrived at the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In short: “The first two revolutions were about mass production. The third turned us into knowledge workers bound in offices. This revolution is about breaking free of geography. It is being driven by the technology to help us do that.” There’s more. Email, cloud computing and a growing legion of other high tech tools enables workers to attend to their responsibilities at any and all hours, not limited to 9 to 5. No wonder this post subscribes to the view that “The future of jobs won’t be about 9-to-5 office hours.”

So Why Haven’t Businesses Done Away With 9-to-5?

Some firms already have gone down this path. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce cites “10 Forward-Looking Companies Offering Flexible Work.” It notes: “As workplaces adopt new technology and innovative management philosophies, some companies are ditching old-school, nine-to-five office requirements.” Among those featured in this group are three iconic organizations — American Express, Dell, and UnitedHealth Group.

Of this trio, Dell is “a pioneer in flexible work scheduling.” Its “Connected Workplace” program, initiated in 2009, enables employees to not only work remotely, but also in whatever way they choose. Some 60% of its workforce takes advantage of these flexible options.

What’s another big-name company in this pack? It’s the subject of “A huge tech company just killed the 9-5 workday for good.” And that firm is Salesforce. Its chief people officer asserted that it “no longer makes sense to expect employees to work an eight-hour shift and do their jobs successfully.” From that perspective, employees have the “flexibility in how, when and where” they choose to work. Following through on the gist of this piece, this spokesperson declares: “The 9-to-5 workday is dead.”

How to Get Started

Harvard Business Review points the way. “Breaking Free from a ‘9 to 5’ Culture” declares: “the future of work points to more asynchronous ways of working.” Before delving into the strategies offered here, it’s worth defining a term—asynchronous. Remote.com explains. “Asynchronous (async) work is a way for workers to organize the order in which tasks are executed to align with their own timetable.” In other words, an async system does not require all employees to be at the same place and work at the same time.

Let’s say a business seeks to veer from the 9-to-5 structure. How should it adopt an asynchronous way of working? HRB suggests:

Go top down

Get buy-in from upper management. The highest-ranking members of the firm also need to exemplify this new mode. “Whether you are looking to shift to an asynchronous way of working at the team, department, or company level, it needs to start with the leadership of the entity.”

Emphasize effects

“Identifying clear goals and outcomes will allow employees working asynchronously to focus on the desired results versus when, where, or how the work is done.” This mindset and work style represents a change from “here’s all the work to be done” to “here’s the outcomes we want.”

Categorize

Sometimes all hands must be onboard, e.g., initial project planning sessions, client meetings. “Distinguish which tasks and activities are better conducted synchronously.” Note: “Higher-touch activities such as conducting one-on-ones, providing others with coaching, feedback, and mentoring, as well as some onboarding activities, should also be conducted live.”

Uncover and set expectations

Work cultures are deep-rooted; changing them is complex. Consider engaging an external facilitator, who “can help the team surface, articulate, and challenge [the] existing rules and assumptions so the team [can] let go of them.” Examples of unwritten rules: “acceptable response time, what topics require a meeting, the standard length of meetings and how these meetings are run.”

Clarify and commit

What will new ways of working look like? “Identify dependencies for various workstreams and stakeholder needs. How will these be met? Make clear agreements around several elements, such as the use of various technologies and when these technologies are shut off.” Formulate policies and accountabilities.

Test and tweak

Transitioning to a new culture requires time and tinkering. Check back, assess and alter, as needed. “Making the shift to asynchronous work is not a ‘one-and-done’ event, but an iterative process that will likely need adjustments and fine tuning over time to successfully make the change.”

Set inclusion front and center

Keep clear sight of diversity, equity, and inclusion. “The task will be for leaders to be thoughtful and intentional with respect to inclusion.” Awareness is foundation, followed by facilitation and all that entails. “Creating this awareness and offering trainings for managers and leaders on inclusive leadership can help set up the shift to asynchronous work for greater success.”

Just ask

Forbes recommends going straight to the source to get started. “Instead of the 9-to-5, it would make more sense for companies to ask their employees what type of schedules would work best for them. Some may select to start the day later and stay a few hours. Others could request coming in early and leaving a little around 3 p.m. or 4 p.m.” Survey and accommodate as best possible.

Benefits and Timetable

Both employees and employers gain from cracking the 9-to-5 mold. It’s a win-win.

On the employee side of the equation, knitpeople.com contends workers increase efficiency by doing their jobs at the best times for them; consequently, that triggers higher quality output. They focus better on their tasks with less distraction and manage time more effectively, which enhances engagement with their work. In all, they derive greater work-life balance and health and wellness.

For employers, the change aligns with the wants and needs of workers, especially younger ones. PwC’s Next Gen: A global generational study found that 64% of millennial employees “would like to shift their work hours.” Why? It keeps employees satisfied, which lowers turnover. In addition, it enhances productivity and reduces overhead costs. One more? Flexjobs.com notes that “work flexibility appeals to highly educated and experienced workers;” it thus attracts high-caliber employees.

When will the movement away from 9 to 5 occur in a meaningful way? The Forbes post advocates the time to change is “now.” That is seconded by “Why you should be working asynchronously in 2022.” Others put the timetable further out in the future. Although Forbes asserts “it’s only inertia holding us back from changing the 9-to-5, five days a week program. It’s time to consider other options.” Some companies may act accordingly, others not. But regardless: “The change in 9-to-5 will eventually happen, one way or another.”

That may occur via natural progression. “The future of jobs won’t be about 9-to-5 office hours, as power shifts to millennial leaders” suggests it’s just a matter of time until we say goodbye to Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” elegy. “As younger generations take management reins, remote work and flexible work models will just be the norm.” So set your sights to see this inflection point “within the next 10 to 15 years.”