Connor Hubbard, a content creator, has split the internet with a seemingly normal 'Day in My Life' reel. How, though? By claiming to ‘normalise’ the 9-to-5 work routine. But the more pressing question is: was 9 to 5 not normal? Henry Ford, if you did not know is the founder of Ford Motor Company, had made popular a revolutionary system in the 1920s, the 8-hour workday. That is the beginning of the 9-to-5 workday which was adopted by other cultures soon, as it provided productive results. It liberated the workers from the 14-hour workday, which worked like a charm. Yet, as capitalism turned greedy and economies boomed over time, companies strived for more. So to answer the question ‘Was 9-5 not normal?’ — No, it is the benchmark.
In the 21st century, a dedicated employee's 8 hours a day is the least expected. Yes, at least not even most. Certain companies believe that they are not milking enough of their employees. So they introduce working overtime for a 2% bonus. As one can expect, the 2% bonus isn’t enough compensation for the unwashed dishes at home, children waiting for their mom or even taking some time out for the gym. This has been the standard of the work culture worldwide, with humans entering corporations in the day and exiting as zombies. So why again do content creators feel the need to ‘normalise’ this shamanistic ritual of making decent money? Maybe it is a cry for help or maybe they feel the need to make their jobs seem cool like freelancing? Or maybe they are satisfied with their job no matter what the comment sections say. The reels show an employee's life with a 9-5 and people are not buying the concept of it. Comments of people saying it is ‘depressing’ or that they cried while watching the reel just goes to show how farfetched the concept of 9-5 is now. Some say that the creators are being satirical towards the system, but the comment section is in splits. A bulk of the internet feels that the reels are not motivating the audience to take up a 9-5, rather it has repulsed them, avoiding it as much as they can. The mundane and dull routine is not one the millennials and Gen Z employees want to live. These ‘Normalising a 9-5’ reels would have done wonders pre-COVID. However, in the renaissance of work culture, the dependable and stable 9-5 is nearing extinction.
COVID-19 rocked the idea of stability in people’s minds after major companies cut off permanent employees who have been there longer than 10 years, making 9-5 riskier than freelancing. Even seemingly safe industries like the IT industry, software engineering, etc. are dangerous sectors to find a stable job now. The trending “ I need a finance guy, 6’5” is no longer applicable in reality, as the finance sector is not safe from the effects of the pandemic. Employees in finance are saving the money for tomorrow, not today, so sorry to the ladies who want to spend the money on Birkins. The financial job market is recovering with companies hiring, however, there is uneasiness beneath the surface as some companies are still waiting for the ‘normal’ to settle. What was once thought to be the quickest road to being a millionaire is now twice as long a road. Additionally, to become that ‘finance guy’ with bucks in his pocket, it takes years and years of saving and playing it smart to be able to spend it. Real life truly sucks. Nonetheless, COVID-19 has forced companies and employers to question whether there will be a ‘normal’ work atmosphere again. The economy now has forced everyone to build their backup, as there is no say in whether there might be another black swan event again.
Furthermore, during the pandemic, people realised their passion, and it was all in their hobbies and side hustles, which not only fulfilled them but also provided them with a means of earning money. This realisation has resulted in people using 9-to-5 jobs to fuel their fascination. Work is no longer the only thing people rely on to survive; they are considering other options. This is where the wave of freelancing, content creation, and self-employment takes over the wheel. Every Explore page is filled with reels and content of employees creating content on Instagram after work, vlogging on YouTube, or starting their own business in addition to their jobs.
9-to-5 jobs still exist, but people's perceptions of work culture have changed. Employees no longer take 9 to 5 jobs seriously. While Gen Z and millennial employees seek meaning in their work, that meaning is derived from other sources of income. Employees no longer hesitate to leave their jobs if they do not meet their needs and desires, demonstrating that companies do not engage their employees. This brings us to the current reality in society: 9-5 cannot be normalised because it is no longer perceived as the norm. Instead, with remote and hybrid models, companies and employers must navigate and adapt to the needs of their employees, resulting in flexibility and satisfaction. Once the public understands the workings of passive income, there is no going back to a single source of income. So, while Connor Hubbard's intentions of normalising the 9-5 were good, the response from the audience backfired by revealing to the internet what the new generation of employees now want (aside from a 6'5 finance guy with blue eyes and a trust fund). 9 to 5 9 to 5 9 to 5 9 to 5 9 to 5
