Workplaces in 2023 and beyond will be more diverse, flexible, and distributed than ever. Businesses will cater to evolving employee expectations by adopting modern workplace trends.
This infographic-based guide will offer entrepreneurs comprehensive knowledge about modern workplace trends, their key challenges, benefits, and best practices to ensure long-term success.
A positive workplace environment is what sets organizations apart.
It humanizes brands, boosts productivity, and creates a happy work culture, which pays dividends in the long term.
According to experts, the workplace environment is a powerful tool to boost employee morale, innovation, and collaboration.
Here’s how it impacts employees’ life at the workplace.
So, entrepreneurs should build an environment where employees feel happy, valued, and engaged.
Implement the below-shared top 10 future workplace trends to drive the change.
Let’s dive in.
When it comes to adopting the working model, organizations are undergoing a massive change.
During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, most companies decided to go remote. This flexibility helped employees manage their work-life balance quite well. In fact, a survey stated that 90% of remote employees showed high productivity levels.
However, as the situation became normal, companies returned to their traditional working pattern.
Having experienced the perks of flexible work, professionals disfavored this decision.
As a result, the “Great Resignation” surged in 2021 and reached an all-time high in 2022. Reports state that 50.5 million professionals quit their jobs in 2022.
This led to a massive transformation in the way businesses operate.
Firms are now implementing a hybrid/remote approach that offers the “best of both worlds.”
According to experts, this new workplace trend will continue in the future.
In 2023, what’s likely to change is that businesses will allow employees to work from home or the office at their convenience. They will have the flexibility to decide on a working model that suits their needs.
A survey by McKinsey reveals that most employees enjoy the increased flexibility that the hybrid model provides.
Since the hybrid work model is here to stay, businesses are ensuring to build an inclusive environment for virtual teams.
The reason?
Reports reveal that a lack of face-to-face interaction can lead to communication gaps, thus impacting work performance. This can also be the reason for poor employee retention rates.
So, businesses are investing in virtual team-building activities to help remote teams feel connected, combat work-related stress, and bridge the communication gap.
This initiative is helping them improve productivity and create a positive work environment. According to McKinsey, virtual team-building efforts enabled 83% of employees to accelerate innovation efforts and productivity.
Check out the below-shared workplace transformation trends for more details.
A flexible work schedule offers professionals a sense of autonomy.
Unlike the nine-to-five working pattern, they can work according to their convenience. This helps them maintain a work-life balance.
No wonder, employees expect a flexible working schedule.
However, flex hours don’t equate to fewer hours. Employees should clock in the expected hours, and sometimes even more.
Reports affirm that employees with flexible working perks work more than professionals without.
Another report by Gartner states that the freedom to plan a workday helps them stay motivated, productive, and happy.
What’s more? According to a report by Qualtrics, 93% of employees favor flexibility over rigid work patterns.
Here are a few more vital statistics depicting why following this work trend can work wonders for businesses.
Employees are the building blocks of an organization, and hence their productivity is directly proportional to a firm’s success.
Reports state that improved employee experience leads to high productivity, ultimately helping businesses earn a positive ROI. In fact, it boosts workplace engagement by 16 times.
No wonder, industry leaders are catering to employee needs and focusing on creating a positive employee experience.
Here’s how employee experience trends can help you create a successful organization.
Companies are increasing their investments in employee skill development and training.
The reason?
Recent research shows that offering training to employees can boost retention rates.
In fact, 86% of millennials would stay loyal to organizations providing skills training. This can help companies gain a competitive edge.
On the other hand, 70% of employees leave firms that don’t invest in training and skill development.
So, the key to leading a successful firm in 2023 and beyond is helping employees grow.
The below-shared statistics and employee engagement trends are proof of it.
The right tools and technologies are crucial to building a productive workforce.
Work automation tools can help professionals gain in-depth insights into the market, analyze vast data, and deliver peak performance.
That’s why businesses have increased their investments in the latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence, analytics, blockchain, and more. The aim is to help employees make informed decisions, thereby boosting their productivity.
As technology evolves, businesses will continue embracing mentioned workforce development trends.
An HR leader’s role is no longer confined to recruitment and retention.
According to Gartner, one of the main priorities for HR leaders today is managing change within their companies.
This includes adopting tech-driven methodologies, offering valuable perks to employees, and ensuring employees’ goals align with business priorities.
What’s more?
Organizations expect HR leaders to be proactive in implementing employee performance development practices. They should serve as the change agents in implementing a blueprint for employee success.
This can boost workplace engagement and ensure the long-term success of a firm.
DE&I, at its heart, is about human behaviors and belief systems.
Meaningful dialogue that educates employees about DE&I can help firms build a positive workplace.
Besides, it can help them outperform less diverse peers on profitability and retain top talent.
Business leaders believe that professionals should work with people from diverse cultures, backgrounds, identities, and abilities.
As a result, most of them are embracing DE&I.
Check out the below-shared diversity trends in the workplace for more insights.
A few years back, most corporations considered employees’ physical wellness a top priority.
From hosting exercise sessions to body checkups, organizations started investing in activities that ensure employees’ physical wellbeing.
However, today, wellbeing has expanded beyond the physical aspect.
Companies are building a culture of holistic wellbeing, including physical, emotional, and mental wellness. According to reports, 52% of companies offer such wellness programs.
They are conducting mindfulness programs, creating meditation apps, building rejuvenation centers, and employee assistance programs (EAPs) to ensure complete support.
Check out the below-shared workplace wellness trends for more information.
Expect to see more proactive practices from companies in the upcoming years.
Multi-functional workspaces offer an array of perks. From modern infrastructure to customized seating arrangements, they offer state-of-the-art amenities to employees.
However, multi-functional workspaces, for instance, coworking spaces, are more than just fancy work setups.
They offer employees the flexibility to work and imbibe a sense of autonomy.
According to reports, 97% of employees believe working flexibility influences their life in a positive way.
Besides, coworking spaces allow employees to collaborate with peers, colleagues, and mentors. This helps them stay stress-free and boosts their career growth.
No wonder, the demand for coworking spaces is cropping up in most countries.
This workplace transformation trend is here to stay. Companies will continue investing in multi-functional workspaces, especially coworking.
The current workplace trends shared in this post might have been triggered by the pandemic, but they are here to stay.
From increased productivity to high retention rates, these modern workplace trends are helping firms gain a competitive edge.
Most industry leaders that have implemented them are already leveraging their benefits. It will be interesting to see the transformation they bring in years to come.
The workplace trends shared here are worth considering as an increasing number of businesses build progressive workplaces. Feel free to share this infographic with your colleagues, clients, and entrepreneurs in your circle. It will help them realize the impact of these shifts on employee experience.