Three Trends Shaping the Future of Work
It’s no secret that the way people work is constantly changing. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many employers to make remote work possible for their staff—a move proven so popular that the change will become permanent for many companies. Creating more remote work opportunities opens up discussions about accessibility and how companies can adapt to unforeseen circumstances.
Of course, remote working isn’t the only change happening that will inevitably shape the future of work. This article looks at three trends that will shape the workplace of the future.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ)
One much talked-about topic in the world of human resources is how to implement DEIJ practices. Organizations of all sizes face new opportunities for gender equality and inclusion when they consider gender identity, expression, and presentation.
Employers are demonstrating a willingness to adapt to such changes in the workplace as more people feel comfortable expressing themselves in the workplace. For instance, some companies have introduced gender-neutral restrooms, while others offer inclusive HR benefits for transgender and gender non-conforming employees.
Future workplaces will also find greater initiative to focus on diverse hiring practices. Did you know that there are five generations in today’s workforce? However, some workplaces have employees from just one or two generations, resulting in a generational diversity problem.
Diversity and inclusion initiatives are evolving to include equity and justice. There will be greater emphasis on giving employees equal pay for equal work, as well as new promotion practices with an equity mindset, resulting in greater recognition of each person’s achievements.
Office Culture
COVID-19 has undoubtedly changed the way many people manage their day. Working from home is now considered a more accessible option for a variety of different situations. But, what does that mean for office culture? How do offices maintain a connected culture whether or not people return to the office or partially work from home each week?
With strong evidence proving teams can be just as effective working remotely, companies will continue to respond to the needs of their employees by shifting focus from “office culture” to “team culture.” We can expect to see the adoption of blended solutions, including part-time remote work for many employees. According to a report from Great Place to Work, employers will dedicate more resources to making workplace culture more equitable for all, and there will be an increased focus on developing all employees, no matter their access needs or location.
Corporate Responsibility
Corporate responsibility is growing and will undoubtedly shape the future of work. Customers and employees alike are increasingly demanding that companies take a stand on a variety of issues impacting their communities. Companies are responding to external events by issuing statements and taking action.
Responding both to social pressures and a lack of skilled labor pool, corporations are opting to reinvest in their communities by retraining employees instead of laying them off.
Verizon retrained 20,000 staff instead of laying them off during the COVID-19 pandemic. Another example is Royal Dutch Shell, which plans to retrain some of its staff in artificial intelligence as part of an energy transition. Focusing company efforts on adapting to our changing world rather than laying off employees creates a path to innovation and industry leadership.
Employers will also focus more on the health and well-being of their staff by strictly ensuring that facilities are clean and that safe working conditions are a priority. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the importance of mental and physical safety in the workplace in order to maintain a healthy workforce.
Conclusion
Many exciting changes will shape the future of work within the next five years, some of which are already being enacted today.
The COVID-19 pandemic has made employers think more about the health and safety of their workplace. This will also impact workplace trends, such as increased corporate responsibility and better diversity, equality, and inclusion in the workplace.