Are traditional 9-to-5 jobs becoming obsolete?

[Findingnemo]

9-5 job is still relevant and what most of people in this world do for their survival even in 2025. The avaiability of freelancing and remote working jobs allows some people to work from their comfort place, no need to visit any office or workplace but it is not the one that is helping the whole economy of the world to work as fine.

[Ultegra134]

The problem I from how the remote jobs are advertised. Most people make it look as if once you learn a digital skill, you'll start earning thousands of dollars every day. It's the same way a narrative has been set on forex trading. So now, a lot of people's belief is that once you go into those skills, you will start earning so much money. They make it seem very simple and easy, but the reality is different. Before you start making money, you need to have grown in the skill and gotten a lot of experience, which is not too different from a regular 9-5 job. A remote or freelance job is more flexible, of course, it gives more time for yourself, and you can work other jobs too, but making money is not as easy as people make it seem. If you don't put in the work, you wont get anywhere.

That's very accurate. There's this ongoing misconception that remote jobs are easy (to do and to acquire), and that you'll eventually find to a company in a well-paying country, such as Germany, Austria etc. Those jobs are usually IT related and require expertise that you won't magically acquire by doing a few online seminars. You need experience and a portfolio to show to potential employers, the competition in such sectors is huge, and especially after Covid-19, it has become the new norm in the technology field.

9-5 jobs will still continue to exist, because not every single one can be done online. They'll never become obsolete, but eventually, they won't be as common as they are in the workplace.

[bangjoe]

As freelancing and remote work expand, is the stable, long-term job model collapsing?

This job is not collapsing, there are still many who need it, the proof is that in every country there are still many unemployed people looking for work, until now it still exists and will still exist, with alternative online jobs opening up wider job opportunities and some people who are able to compete in online jobs they will take it because it is more flexible and also more convenient, especially me, even though I still have a physical business, working for others as an additional income is a great option to have additional work, from here we have a greater chance of having greater monthly savings.

In-person jobs are not obsolete but are being replaced by robots, due to lower costs than hiring humans.

[Kelvinid]

Fresh graduates are still looking forward for a 9-5 job because they find it as a more stable and more convenient working time. And a lot of job seekers are still searching for a reliable traditional job. That only proves that this traditional job isn't becoming obsolete. In fact, there are even chances that this online jobs will be out in the global market eventually since the demand is quite seasonal, compared to this 9-5 jobs where people find it as a reliable and sustainable type of job.

[boyptc]

9-5 job is still relevant and what most of people in this world do for their survival even in 2025. The avaiability of freelancing and remote working jobs allows some people to work from their comfort place, no need to visit any office or workplace but it is not the one that is helping the whole economy of the world to work as fine.

I agree, the whole economy is consists of several labor forces and it won't be enough that it will only going to stick with the work from home people or those with remote jobs.

I think people need to see about the memes about the market that being employed in McDonalds which is also one 9-5 to finds. We can't serve nuggets and burgers from home, unless they'll make robots and we'll control it from our house.



Just think of this image when the market is going down. lol

Holders want to get some 9-5 job again.

[uneng]

It's not collapsing but it's indeed becoming valueless. The reason why it is not yet collapsed is because people will continue to milk out of it without making any contribution as long as government or their employers keep paying. The traditional jobs don't want to utilize this opportunity to shift toward the new age technology. The current generation are not buying the idea of their slavery with fixed salary, poor working condition and less freedom. The present condition of traditional jobs is still fair, if they fail to make changes to align with the present reality, they will have to beg people to fill their vacancies but no one will look back.

There are lots of 9/5 jobs offers available. However, as you said, they pay low, so they aren't worthy on long run. I guess they are useful for young people who are new on the jobs market, so they can start their professional careers and get some cash and experience working. The idea of slavery is bullshit, though. This young generation will have to start from somewhere, like previous generations did.

It's not the world which has to adapt itself to the wishes and demands of the young generation. It's the new generation which has to adapt itself to the reality of the world. Of course, the world is in constant changes and it does changes considerably from times to times, but it doesn't mean it's going to be an utopian world where people won't have to work anymore, or won't have to do any effort, be disciplined, focused and so on.

[Vaculin]

9-5 job is still relevant and what most of people in this world do for their survival even in 2025. The avaiability of freelancing and remote working jobs allows some people to work from their comfort place, no need to visit any office or workplace but it is not the one that is helping the whole economy of the world to work as fine.

You have a valid point. 9-5 is still what makes the people keep surviving despite of the huge difference when it comes to compensation. Online jobs are highly compensated while 9-5 jobs, majority are just minimum wage earners. However, when it comes to stability and longevity, traditional jobs are here to stay, online jobs could easily gone out of our sight. That's why there is no way that 9-5 jobs will be obsolete, because when online job workers have lost their jobs, they will end up searching for traditional jobs that will suit their abilities and skills.

[Smartvirus]

Nah, 9 to 5 jobs are still dream for many people.

The reason why people want to work in freelances and remote jobs because they're currently work in 9 to 5 jobs, they see freelances offer better salary and other convenience that they didn't get in 9 to 5 jobs.

You get the point. These freelances jobs exist as substitutes to the actual 9-5. It’s hardly because it’s become obsolete but, a way to actually cut down on cost that is associated with working in a 9-5, the hazards you are exposed to, having to leave the house and beat traffic, the comfort you wouldn’t be having at home and more of that.

Still, there are those that enjoy these distractions, the feel of a big city, working amongst colleagues, having to interact with actual people and more. For some, the pay is just as good.

[Jody.Drummer]

In my environment or my country there are still many jobs that work 8 hours, but this is more applied in large companies such as factories or PT, because if with ordinary jobs such as employees of restaurants, coffee shops or others they tend to work longer hours even I once asked someone who works in a restaurant if he works for 12 hours sometimes more than 12 hours. Actually, in my opinion working for a full day is not a problem if the salary is in accordance with working hours but in my environment there are quite a lot of jobs outside factories or PTs where the working hours are all day but the salary is not much and with those who work I understand because it is difficult to get a job so they have no choice but to do it rather than not having a job at all.

That is the thing though, some might take advantage of their employees working more than 8 hours and not being paid in accordance to their work. But for traditional 9 to 5 office or corporate jobs, it might be very different as there are a lot of bonuses and perks specially if the company that you work for are big.

It could be that there are cases that some job could be redundant, not obsolete. And that it can never be replace by anyone like an AI or something. As human we want socialized, in a environment like what we called office and it will not be obsolete especially for developing countries.

Yes, it is a problem, but it is also something that cannot be eliminated because not everyone works for large companies that implement working hours from 9 to 5. For the lower middle class, those who live in hardship will try to survive and that is done by working hard, such as doing anything to earn money because they have to meet their living needs to survive. Everyone has their own rules, but basically, normal work is only eight hours.

[crwth]

Not every job can become remote or be virtual. That's just the reality right now; unless you can move items remotely or the blue-collar jobs or anything, there still needs to be manual labor. I mean, why the hate on the traditional 9-5 jobs? It could be stepping stones for people, and the needed salary to sustain their lives could be there. It's the answer and a necessity.

[free-bit.co.in]

The problem is from how the remote jobs are advertised. Most people make it look as if once you learn a digital skill, you'll start earning thousands of dollars every day. It's the same way a narrative has been set on forex trading. So now, a lot of people's belief is that once you go into those skills, you will start earning so much money. They make it seem very simple and easy, but the reality is different. Before you start making money, you need to have grown in the skill and gotten a lot of experience, which is not too different from a regular 9-5 job. A remote or freelance job is more flexible, of course, it gives more time for yourself, and you can work other jobs too, but making money is not as easy as people make it seem. If you don't put in the work, you wont get anywhere.

I totally agree with you. The difference between a remote job and a 9-5 job is just the location, more flexible working hours, and thus giving us a little more freedom. Other than that, they don't have much difference.

To be able to get a remote and well-paid job, we also need knowledge, skills and experience. Sometimes they even require a degree for jobs that demand a high level of expertise. It is not as easy as many people think.

I get the feeling that many people come to the forum and make money here, and they think that other remote jobs will be similar. But in reality, not many remote jobs are that simple.

[abhiseshakana]

As freelancing and remote work expand, is the stable, long-term job model collapsing?

What's changing isn't the job model, but the standards of contribution and value an individual brings. I personally believe that material wealth always follows performance. In both the old and new work models, the fundamental principle is the same: companies (or clients) won't let go of people who make significant impacts/contributions. What's changing is only the contract structure, not the economic logic.

The low-skill 9-5 may be disrupted, but the high-performance 9-5 is actually getting more expensive. Companies pay for contributions, not hours worked. When we are qualified and contribute to the company, especially in crucial ways like increasing revenue, reducing costs, improving efficiency, leading a team well, or solving major problems, our bosses will rationally protect us and fight to keep us from leaving by raising salaries, offering incentives, and offering retention bonuses, which are usually only available to full-time employees, top-tier freelancers, and high-achieving remote workers.

So, we must be high-quality contributors to be retained and even sought after. When we are low contributors, workers are easily replaced, whether by freelancers, AI, or contractors. So, those who contribute minimally are the ones who collapse, while those with significant contributions are increasingly promoted. Material wealth still follows performance. The work model only determines the platform, not the value itself. Companies always retain those who create the most value.

[batang_bitcoin]

Not every job can become remote or be virtual. That's just the reality right now; unless you can move items remotely or the blue-collar jobs or anything, there still needs to be manual labor. I mean, why the hate on the traditional 9-5 jobs? It could be stepping stones for people, and the needed salary to sustain their lives could be there. It's the answer and a necessity.

I agree, manual labor is still needed and even if there will be so much online or remote jobs in the world. We'll always get to see the physical jobs that are from 9 to 5. There is no need to hate the traditional jobs that we've used to be with, we've worked for it and we do like it. The jobs will be remote and physical and the companies that have adapted fully remote setup, if they see that it's not as effective as it can be.

But in reality, not many remote jobs are that simple.

That is true, it's not that simple for most. There are also exec jobs that are remote and it's a big responsibility that others don't know.

[Oluwa-btc]

I don't think so,9 to 5 jobs aren't collapsing reason been that it's not everyone that can fit in that position or role as a remote worker or freelancer.Everybody will definitely evolve and full time job isn't collapsing;it just needs to improve with more flexibility.Freelancing is rising globally,even with the tech driven evolutions but many people still prefers full time job.

[Solosanz]

I get the feeling that many people come to the forum and make money here, and they think that other remote jobs will be similar. But in reality, not many remote jobs are that simple.

I agree with this.

Whenever people talk about money or financial problem, people in this forum usually suggest to seek for freelance jobs, I'm curious how they can think freelance jobs is like something easy to get.

If I ask them which freelance jobs they do except in this forum, I'm sure they will not able to answer my question because this forum might be the only "freelance job" they can work.

[püsür]

While different situations apply to numerous sectors and companies, it is clear that traditional 9-to-5 jobs are necessary for certain roles. Some companies had transitioned entirely to remote working, but now I am seeing large international companies completely abandoning this and returning to traditional office work. While some companies prefer remote working because it is economically beneficial, it can also lead to a loss of productivity. I believe that 9-to-5 office jobs will never completely disappear. However, it is also true that freelancing and remote working will continue to increase.

[rachael9385]

As freelancing and remote work expand, is the stable, long-term job model collapsing?

It's no doubt that remote and freelancing jobs are taking over but this doesn't rule out the traditional 9 to 5 jobs out there. Some people that work 9 to 5 jobs still have things they do online to make money, people have this idea that everyone doing that category of work are underpaid but that's not true. Some 9 to 5 workers actually love their job because they make a lot of money from it on a monthly basis

[Alone055]

As freelancing and remote work expand, is the stable, long-term job model collapsing?

Remote work is one thing, and freelancing is another, and let me tell you that freelancing or any other online work isn't reliable in the long run. A job that doesn't have a physical alternative, like an office-based job that you can also do, but you choose to do it remotely, is not something you can rely on, because you could have it today, and have nothing tomorrow, and same is the case with freelance positions. If you don't have a client, you basically have no work to do, and hence no money to make.

The newer generation might think these jobs are much better because they are easier to do and could be done from anywhere, but that's only one side of the story. If you ask someone experienced, you will know that having a stable physical job is much better than having an unstable remote job, even if the remote job is paying you higher, you will still not have the same assurance that you would have with a physical and confirmed position.

One could say that even physical jobs can't be guaranteed; that's true, but they are generally more reliable as they have a higher validity.

[Muba20]

As freelancing and remote work expand, is the stable, long-term job model collapsing?

It's no doubt that remote and freelancing jobs are taking over but this doesn't rule out the traditional 9 to 5 jobs out there. Some people that work 9 to 5 jobs still have things they do online to make money, people have this idea that everyone doing that category of work are underpaid but that's not true. Some 9 to 5 workers actually love their job because they make a lot of money from it on a monthly basis

There are many people who work 9-5 who can make a lot of money. There are also many people who have a small amount of money but still have the opportunity to live a stable life. In this kind of work, we could not ignore the 9-5 workers in any way. However, online platforms have become much more popular now and the income opportunities there have also increased. Those who also work 9-5 can also increase their source of income more than others through online work.

[Cheema02]

Nah, 9 to 5 jobs are still dream for many people.

The reason why people want to work in freelances and remote jobs because they're currently work in 9 to 5 jobs, they see freelances offer better salary and other convenience that they didn't get in 9 to 5 jobs.

But, not all people can survive in freelances and remote jobs, if you're not a person who like to learn a new thing and upgrade your skill, freelances would be a nightmare for you because they could cut you off.

You've made some really valid points, many people wanted to jump in freelancing to get rid off 9 to 5 jobs because they thaught that there is more salary in free lancing and remote job  and nobody who ask what you do which is more iritative for individuals who work 9 to 6 jobs. Its true we make much more money through free lancing and its convenient than former job pattern but its demand high level of consistency, discipline and skills growth. Many people expecting freelancing easier but if you're  don't willing to learn new tools, stay updated and keep improving your clients replace you in seconds because you're responsible for everything yourself. so at the end success is depend on your hard work, work ethic and willing to adapt.