# The future of work: opportunities and new ways to shape it

- URL: https://hr-passionista.com/en/future-of-work-opportunities-ways-to-shape-whats-next/
- Published: 2026-01-22
- Updated: 2026-01-29
- Author: Marion Eppinger (HR-Passionista)
- Categories: change, content & influencing, new work & transition

> Discover how to actively shape the future of work—trends, innovations, and ideas for businesses and employees.

#paidcooperation #newworkingenvironments #futureofwork

Last Wednesday, [kununu](https://austria-at-work.kununu.com/) brought together key stakeholders from the world of work, including politicians, business leaders, companies and employees, at its „kununu Townhall“ event, where they discussed the **challenges** and **solutions** for a **modern working environments**.

In this new event format, politicians answered questions on key topics such as work/business, integration/migration, education/training, digitalisation/transparency and equality/diversity. It sounded exciting, and it was!

### **kununu Townhall: My impressions**

I had the pleasure of attending this event and took away the following:

#### Maintaining prosperity

The main topic of the evening how to **maintain** prosperity – which was hotly debated by the attendees. Everyone agreed that change is necessary!

However, theye were divided on whether this could be achieved by reducing non-wage labour costs. As our **social system** is financed by these costs, this option would only be possible if appropriate alternative counter-financing could be found.

The discussion about full-time vs. part-time, associated childcare and the **gender pay gap** also caused a stir. Paying a full-time bonus would be short-sighted and would further increase the gender pay gap.

#### Education

Education was the second major topic and is high on the agenda for all parties.

However, everyone has a different perspective on it – the discussion ranged from promoting **digital skills**  such as programming in adult education centres to the **including** Austrians living abroad and their **educational opportunities** in order to counteract the shortage of skilled workers.

A major obstacle to further education appears to be the lack of alternatives to **theoretical education for people** who require further training later in their professional lives.

#### Equality

The concept of **equality** and its implications remain controversial today.

**The concept of flexibility** in the workplace, which could greatly promote equality, is often mistakely equated with working from home. In reality, it is more about a culture of trust between employers and employees. Working hours are still equated with presence rather than actual performance.

The Working Hours Act dates back to the post-war eara and was designed to protect industrial workers and those in physically demanding occupations. Therefore, the Working Hours Act should therefore be adapted **for specific sectors**.

Unfortunately, the results of Austria’s largest employee survey and the subsequent discussion received far too little attention. Anyone interested in seeing the study results should stay tuned. kununu will soon send out a press release.

 A [recording](https://vimeo.com/1013054499) of the event is available here for those who were unable to attend.

![](https://hr-passionista.com/media/2025/11/DSC01841-Edit.jpg)

### My conclusion

The topic generated a lot of interest and debate in my community. The general consensus was: there is still a lot to be done!

In my opinion, there is still a lack of direct dialogue between experts and decision-makers.

I am eager to see when I will be invited to participate in such discussions.