Deakin University: BUSN3065 Future of Work Assignment

This assignment solution for BUSN3065, "Future of Work in the Digital Age," explores the impact of digital technologies on the workplace. It examines the implications of features like "read receipts" on communication and work control, and analyzes the perspectives on Universal Basic Income (UBI) in light of technological advancements. The assignment also discusses the potential of automation and the four-day work week, considering both the benefits and challenges of such changes in various industries. The solution incorporates references to academic articles and news sources to support its arguments, providing a comprehensive analysis of the evolving landscape of work in the digital era, including discussions on how technology impacts jobs, work-life balance, and productivity.

Running Head: FUTURE OF WORK IN DIGITAL AGE
FUTURE OF WORK IN DIGITAL AGE
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1FUTURE OF WORK IN DIGITAL AGE
Question 1:
a) How do you think a technology like a message service with 'Read Receipt' would
impact on someone's work? If you have personal experience, how did it impact
your work?
Answer: All facets of life, even communication with people has been affected by the
technology. After the development of mobile to smartphones, applications of mobile
instant messaging are also developed from SMS. A type of mobile applications with
social media used for chatting, texting, voice messages, sharing photos with a group or an
individual is mobile instant messaging. Read receipts are a gadget used for indicating
message deliveries through app of mobile instant messaging. This is one of the important
features and play a vital role in people’s relationships. Monitoring delivery of message to
intend receiver are done by read receipts. A social pressure is created by the read receipts
for responding immediately to message (Arntz, Gregory, Zierahn 2016.). If more than one
message is sent at same time, the order of arriving of the messages is not known. Read
receipt solves this issue.
b) How might a Read Receipt function change the way we control how and when
we work?
Answer: The read receipts is quite useful in few cases. Sending email message is
confirmed to the mailbox of the recipient with a delivery report, however it is not known
if the receipt has read it or seen it. The confirmation of opening the message is provided
by the read receipt. There is no need for resending a message if the first message is not
read by the recipient as indicated by the receipt. Many applications like Microsoft
Outlook, Gmail have the read receipt feature In Outlook, sending read receipts can be
declined by the message receiver. Image tracking are similar as read receipts which work

2FUTURE OF WORK IN DIGITAL AGE
silently in email client which loads images. Read receipts is enabled in maximum email
systems, so notifications are received from recipients who use different email systems
which supports receipts (Broom, Ladley, Rhyne, Halloran 2015). For protection of email
address of users, read receipts are sent by Gmail to user’s address only, not in a mailing
list of group.
c) What are your views on this kind of change to the way we communicate? Is it
useful for workplaces that make greater use of digital technologies?
Answer: Communication is getting better and easier with the change in messaging
services. The delivery of right message to the receiver at right time is considered as good
communication. Digital tools which allow people communicate with each other are called
DCTs. Few examples of DCT tools are text conversation by mobile with someone,
collaboration with students on blog or wiki in work group. Evolution of email from a fixed
transmission tool and now is accessed with portable devices (Davis, Abbitt 2013). Texting is
the short term of short message service (SMS). However software usage is used from
cellphone to PC. The multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) is a new technology where
images, sound bite or video files are accompanied. All these features changes can be used in
digital technologies.

3FUTURE OF WORK IN DIGITAL AGE
Question 2:
Article 1: Universal basic income ‘******** cost ********than value of benefit cuts
since 2010
Article 2: Why universal basic income is a bad idea
a) Which of these perspectives are you more likely to agree with and why?
Answer: Universal Basic Income (UBI)’s concept is the amount paid to the citizens by
government with less restrictions. One of the main reason of introducing UBI is the
imminent change to labour market as output of technology. Potential risk’s estimation
varies wildly. However, the employees will not be employed permanently in these jobs.
These exists a concern about providing money without obligation to people might result
in less work from people. UBI’s disincentive effects are not underestimated by the UBI
trials as the additional taxation is required to fund UBI (Painter, Thoung 2015). Rates of
marginal tax might be reduced for some by UBI, however if the rates of marginal tax
crosses over 50%, the system’s viability is threatened by the disincentives. The
inefficiency will be reduced by UBI, as a larger economic pie will be distributed and
additional money will be provided to those requiring it.
b) Automation has also been predicted to lead to job-sharing or even four-day work
weeks. Do you think this could be possible in the workplaces you expect to work
in after you finish studying? Explain how/why or how/why not.
Answer: It is a struggle to balance between work and life. The automation power is a
big concern for the workers. Several working hours are reduced by many industries and
leads to a trend of four-day work week. Productivity is the column of four-day work
week. For making up the time loss, the work efficiency needs to be maximized wherever
possible. If a task is easy enough in first place for automation, the time is present better

4FUTURE OF WORK IN DIGITAL AGE
elsewhere. Operations can be optimized by implementing a four-day work week (Reed,
Lansley 2016). If fewer hours can be allowed by the industry, it is needed to make sure
that the employees are ready for the task. Productivity of employees needs to be tracked
for making sure 20% reduction time is paid off with the company. It is needed to be kept
in mind that the employees does not fell about their time is micromanaged. Instead, they
are to be given flexibility for being productive as much as possible. Four-day work week
has advantages as well as disadvantages. Productivity increases in work hours to
compensate the lost day. Less time is spent on ineffective tasks by the employees. A
greater balance of work-life is maintained and stress is reduced. However, the risk is there
of failing to meet the work requirements (van der Kop 2013). Four-day work week is
impractical in industries where 24/7 presence is required.

5FUTURE OF WORK IN DIGITAL AGE
References
Arntz, M., Gregory, T. and Zierahn, U., 2016. The risk of automation for jobs in OECD
countries.
Broom, M.A., Ladley, A.S., Rhyne, E.A. and Halloran, D.R., 2015. Feasibility and perception
of using text messages as an adjunct therapy for low-income, minority mothers with
postpartum depression. JMIR mental health, 2(1), p.e4.
Davis, D.R. and Abbitt, J.T., 2013. An Investigation of the Impact of an Intervention to
Reduce Academic Procrastination Using Short Message Service (SMS) Technology. Journal
of Interactive Online Learning, 12(3).
Painter, A. and Thoung, C., 2015. Creative citizen, creative state: the principled and
pragmatic case for a Universal Basic Income. London: RSA.
Reed, H. and Lansley, S., 2016. Universal Basic Income: An idea whose time has come?.
London: Compass.
van der Kop, M.L., Ojakaa, D.I., Patel, A., Thabane, L., Kinagwi, K., Ekström, A.M.,
Smillie, K., Karanja, S., Awiti, P., Mills, E. and Marra, C., 2013. The effect of weekly short
message service communication on patient retention in care in the first year after HIV

6FUTURE OF WORK IN DIGITAL AGE
diagnosis: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial (WelTel Retain). BMJ open, 3(6),
p.e003155.