Final answer:
The current employment relationship differs from a generation ago by expecting workers to change jobs frequently, requiring more education and diverse skills, having a diverse workforce, and moving towards flat organizational structures and increased flexibility, including the gig economy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The employment relationship in today's organizations has undergone a significant transformation compared to a generation ago. In the past, individuals could expect to stay with the same company throughout their working lives, but now, workers are more likely to change jobs multiple times. This shift is driven by a variety of factors such as the rapid pace of production due to technological advances, a movement from manufacturing to service industries, globalization, and a change in workforce demographics. Increased flexibility and the rise of the gig economy allow individuals to pursue multiple income streams, sometimes balancing a traditional job with entrepreneurship or side hustles.
Modern workers require more education and training, and they come from increasingly diverse backgrounds, including more women and members of minority groups in the workforce. There's also a change in work ethic, with a focus on autonomy, fulfillment, and the necessity for higher levels of education and people management skills. Additionally, many organizations have transitioned from strict hierarchical structures to flat or team-based structures, where teamwork and collaboration across different skills, experience, and expertise are key to achieving business goals.