It is expected that 2022 will see workplace trends that will change the way people work and how and where they work. While most of these trends have started being a part of the workplace even before the pandemic, the pace of their adoption by organizations across the globe saw a significant rise during the pandemic. And now, these changes are expected to be a part of the workplace in the long run.
It would be an understatement to conclude that the workplace has seen a shift in the last two years. It has been a transformation of sorts for many organizations. And only those that have embraced these workplace trends with open arms have been able to do well during and post pandemic. Organizations that don’t prepare well to deal with the challenges and make the most of the opportunities brought up by the pandemic will find it very difficult to make things work. Several workplace trends will be an integral part of the workplace in 2022.
Employee health and well-being will not only remain benefits. The future of work is expected to be focused primarily on employees. Organizations that move in this direction will not have any trouble navigating the new-normal challenges. It is an opportunity for organizations to help their employees in their professional lives and personal lives. And employers need to understand that employee well-being is not just their physical health. It also includes their mental, emotional, financial, and social well-being. And not just the employees, employers need to make sure that they don’t forget about the family of their employees.
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Employees who deal with health or well-being issues in their families are less likely to be entirely focused on work. Organizations can provide a complete well-being package to the employees and their families. Those packages could include resources for helping working parents, health and well-being apps, job sharing for different roles, and others. The pandemic has lasted more than anyone could have initially thought it would. And that increases the importance of focusing on employee well-being by providing organizational benefits and creating better experiences for employees and their families.
Diversity and inclusion will continue to be a prominent workplace trend, not only in 2022 but also in the coming years. Organizations have started giving DEI the attention that it deserves. And those that haven’t yet brought this work philosophy into their hiring and operations are planning to do it sooner rather than later. That is why the majority of organizations across the world are expected to invest more in DEI initiatives this year.
Organizations need to understand that their DEI journey will be different from others. They can’t expect to follow the DEI approach of another organization entirely. It all needs to start with finding out the current status of DEI in the organization. Based on the findings, the next step will be to decide the goals and the expected time an organization will take to achieve those. Discussing DEI initiatives and their outcome with employees is crucial to making progress. With remote work becoming more commonplace than ever, it presents organizations an excellent opportunity to build teams based on DEI principles.
The hybrid work model is the future of work. Most employees prefer working the hybrid way. And that was what a recent survey conducted by Accenture found out. More than 80% of the participants said they would like mixed work if given a chance, in the survey. The same survey also revealed that more than 60% of organizations already have a working model that enables workers to work from anywhere. Both employers and employees now agree that it is all about getting the work done. Where, when, and how are peripheral questions that need to be given any importance.
And the freedom of working from just about anywhere is also a benefit that organizations can use to attract top talent in their industry. And this is where defining hybrid work practices comes into the picture. Organizations need to communicate to employees how they will collaborate, brainstorm, and share in this model. And they should also ensure that employees have the right tools to make work from anywhere successful. Organizations have to present a clear plan stating how to deal fairly and equitably with all its employees, irrespective of their location and work hours.
Hiring on the basis of skills. Many might argue that this was always the case. However, they fail to understand that there was previously no other technology that left the mark that artificial intelligence has on the job market. It has automated several jobs and created new ones requiring new skills to perform. In 2022 and years to come, there will be other job roles based on specific skills needed to perform jobs that were non-existent before the emergence of AI and other such technologies. That is why more companies have started to give more importance to the skill-set of candidates and not their credentials and qualifications. Hiring based on candidate skills gives employers a larger talent pool to choose from. It also provides better career mobility to employees and prepares them well for specific job functions and industries.
It is essential to be aware of the workplace trends for 2022 to better prepare for them. And even if some companies don’t identify with some of the trends, they will have an excellent opportunity to create a unique employer brand for attracting and retaining talent.
References:
- 4 Workplace Trends in 2022 according to Glassdoor | Glassdoor | Jill Cotton | 8 December 2021
- Top Ten HR Trends For The 2022 Workplace | Forbes | Jeanne Meister | Jan 5, 2022
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