Over the last few years, several aspects of life have changed, and some of these changes will stay forever. One of the life aspects that have experienced the most significant change over the last three years is work.
The pandemic and how it led to the lockdown have forced us to modify the ways and settings in which work used to be done. Featuring a tenfold in increase in remote working since 2019 and a lot more, there has been a significant transformation in work culture. How we work today is drastically different than we ever did.
With modified expectations about how we do our jobs and what we expect in return, we can look forward to continuing these trends in the coming years.
Here are a few workplace trends that you can expect in 2024.
1. Hybrid Working is Here to Stay
The pandemic forced businesses to quickly adopt new technologies and take measures to introduce remote working. Facilitated by significant technological advancements, both employees and employers found alternative ways to accomplish organizational goals while the teams operated remotely.
Work-from-home appeared to be a viable option for both employees and employers. For employees, remote work arrangement means increased flexibility and more freedom. Working from home also appeared to provide a better work-life balance
for some individuals, but it wasn't the case with many.
For employers, remote working helped organizations save costs while protecting their employees against the risk of COVID-19, which also contributed to saving on employee medical costs. What's more important is that the trend brought happier, healthier, highly-motivated employees to the organization, resulting in more profitable business.
Moving forward into the new year, we can look forward to organizations continuing to stick to the hybrid work model. While remote working may not be a viable solution for everyone, commuting to work every day won't be practical for many. Moreover, given that technology has finally allowed everyone to be "in the room" regardless of their actual physical location, interacting with teammates virtually is there to stay in 2024 and beyond.
2. Flexible Workspaces Is the Next Big Thing
One of the most popular workplace trends we can expect in 2024 is flexibility. While we have already seen the trailer of how flexible workplaces look today, we can expect flexible workspace technology to continue in 2024 and beyond.
Depending on how many employees with a desk jobs choose to be at the workplace, organizations will invest heavily to make workplaces more flexible than ever. We can expect organizations to invest in flexible layouts of workplaces. We can also expect them to invest in flexible furniture that can meet the needs of multiple users. Depending on how employees intend to use the workplace, you can expect the organization to invest in standing desks. You can also expect employers to choose a height-adjustable standing desk for their workforce, providing a better alternative to conventional workstations.
Moreover, one can also expect innovative sitting alternatives at workplaces. While ergonomic office chairs are widely used within organizations, there is a focus on investment in innovative sitting solutions such as a yoga ball and a kneeling chair.
Depending on how many employees choose the work from the office and what workplace flexibility do they expect, we can look forward to enhanced flexibility in workplaces as the next big trend to look forward to in 2024.
3. Soft Skills to the Center of Attention
The workplace of the future will be more oriented towards soft skills. As employees are now being increasingly motivated with softer incentives like flexibility, social purpose, and upskilling along with financial incentives, organizations are more likely to focus on soft skill development programs to upkeep the motivation of their employees.
In the coming year, we can look forward to businesses focusing their development programs directed towards upgrading employees' soft skill development so that businesses can produce more leaders for the future.
4. Focus on Employee Wellbeing
The evolving work culture combined with the rise in digital technology has significantly contributed to increased stress levels, greater risk of burnout, and compromised emotional well-being. While remote working arrangement has curtailed this problem for a few, many still feel that the remote work arrangement is also contributing to greater stress levels as it doesn't allow for work-life balance.
Hence, an enhanced focus on well-being is a changing trend we can look forward to. Today's employees no longer keep their work above their health, relationships, and overall well-being. Now they make well-being a priority.
Hence, employers are looking to incorporate wellness strategies within organizational policies and practices, which is why there is a rise in onsite wellness facilities such as gyms and creches. Alongside there are also organizational layout changes it can positively impact employee well-being, such as designing large collaborative spaces that can make the most of natural lighting. Many more offside measures include memberships in clubs and fitness centers and coaching support and counseling.
5. Increased Employee Need for Social Purpose
Several things are changing in the corporate world, and one of the most significant changes is the entry of Gen Z employees into the workforce. As an increasing number of younger workers are ready to enter the workforce, organizations have to do something extra, as a pretty company image isn't enough to attract young talent.
The younger generation ready to enter the workforce now looks forward to organizations prioritizing social purpose and corporate responsibility towards society. Hence, organizations that focus on social responsibility along with the business bottom line are the ones that attract young talent with purpose.
6. Collaboration of Technology and Humans in Organizations
When technology first became a part of the workplace, there wasn't much appreciation from the employees. However, over the years, the global workforce has gotten used to the idea of technology in the workplace. In fact, given that technology has made lives easier for employees, today, they have a more harmonious relationship with technology.
And taking technology a step further, the evolution of robotics and artificial intelligence has allowed employees to let technology take care of all the repetitive and mundane tasks, leaving more time for the workforce to focus on innovative ideas and emotional intelligence. Hence, employees are now becoming increasingly used to the idea of technology, robotics, and AI in the workplace. We can look forward to continuing in the coming year.
7. Shorter Work Weeks
Since wellness is one of the top priorities for employees and organizations, and hybrid working policies are there to stay, we can expect shorter work weeks in the year to come. Today, there is more emphasis on work-life balance, with an increasing number of employees now prioritizing relationships and well-being over work.
So what seemed almost impossible in pre-COVID times is now becoming a reality that is also a strategy for organizations to attract and retain top Gen Z talent.
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8. Emphasis on Gender Equality
Gender equality has been a topic of interest for several decades. While there are improvements in how employers now treat individuals from different genders, the topic never seems to fade away. For years, several campaigns have been directed toward ensuring gender equality, especially in top leadership positions. However, we are still away from it.
Hence, in 2024, we can look forward to more organizational efforts to ensure gender equality in the workplace and at top leadership positions. We can predict that organizations will continue to promote more competent women in executive positions in 2024 and the future.
9. Digital Economy Will Continue to Rise
In modern times, when the number of freelancers and self-employed individuals is on the rise, we can look forward to a rising trend in 2024. Typically, the digital market comprises of service provider and the potential customer, but there is a third integral component of the digital market which is the platform that connects both potential customers and service providers.
With advances in technology and an increasing number of individuals choosing to be self-employed, we can expect the rising trend of the digital economy to continue in 2024.
Final Words
The workplace that we look forward to in the future will be shaped by trends that we already notice today. From the integration of smart technology to flexible workspaces with upgraded collaborative layouts and improved furniture and ergonomic workplace accessories, a lot is already on its way to an upgraded workplace. And we can use these trends to predict the future of workplaces in 2024 and beyond.
Want to learn more about how you can upgrade your workplace with flexible furniture? Get in touch with FlexiSpot, which is home to ergonomic office and home office furniture and accessories for a functional workplace of the future.
