5 Ways Work Will Change In The Future & Why They Matter Now

The workplace has shifted drastically over the last decade and will continue to change as new technology emerges and a new generation of Millennial minds enter the workforce. The Millennial worker has a different set of expectations when it comes to the work environment, and technological trends are changing the way business is conducted day-to-day. These new dynamics have provided some insight on the future of work. Here are a few things you can expect to see in the workplace of the future.

#1 More Remote Options

Over the past years, there’s a growing number of digital nomads and young professionals, primarily from Europe and the United States, that live a nomadic lifestyle. New technology has made working from home more feasible than ever. Online chat and meeting forums have risen in popularity and created the opportunity for remote workers to remain engaged and connected. In addition, a recent study found that remote workers report being happier, more productive, and feeling more appreciated by their employer.

In March 2010, the European Commission launched the Europe 2020 strategy to create a way to overcome the structural weaknesses in Europe’s economy and improve the competitiveness and productivity. The promotion of flexible working conditions is one of the implementations of the employment strategies. The opportunity to work from home is becoming a major selling point for many job applicants and may be the deciding factor for some candidates. This work from home option is thought to stimulate labor participation and boost employee productivity. It is catching the eye of many startups and modern organizations. Employers are recognizing the value of this option and are moving away from traditional office hours and a concrete office setting. You’ll see this trend continue to expand in the future.

#2 Bigger Age Gaps

The average age for retirement currently trends around 65, but experts suggest this might soon change. Advanced medicine has increased the average life expectancy for people across the globe. As people live longer, individuals find it more difficult to make their savings stretch far enough to retire at this time. Therefore, people are starting to stay in the workforce for longer periods of time.

This change in the workplace can create unique dynamics in the office as the age gap widens. Younger and more Millennial thinkers mesh with a more experienced population of workers and work habits and philosophies differ. Employers will need to become adept at dealing with these scenarios and will need to foster a work environment and collaborative projects that facilitate open communication and learning. Employers will also need to invest in training for managers so they can appropriately handle these diverse scenarios.

#3 Workplace Monitoring

Stress in the workplace has become a significant health risk. Stress has been correlated with hypertension, chronic headaches, and other disorders and can dramatically impair other areas of life. Unfortunately, the nature of today’s fast-paced world has made work-life balance nearly impossible. Work demands are increasing and employees are expected to do more work with fewer resources. According to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work’s report, approximately 22 percent of workers from the EU report experiencing stress on the job with over half of surveyed participants saying they need help learning techniques for stress management. This work stress situation is even worse in the United States and Australia and is believed to be spreading around the globe to any place with a fast-paced working environment.

Clearly, workplace stress can have huge health risks and can lead to reduced performance and job satisfaction. This can ultimately impact a company’s bottom line and ability to retain good employees. That’s why employers are starting to take note of their employee’s physical and emotional state at work and their ability to produce on key metrics. Workplace tracking technologies are emerging as a great way to monitor workplace health and will continue to trend in the future.

#4 Picky Job Applicants

In the future, employers can expect a more picky pool of job applicants. The Millennial generation is beginning to permeate the workforce, and they are especially sensitive to work environment. They look for modern cultures that provide meaningful work and opportunities to learn and grow. Employers may feel the pressure of a more competitive process as job seekers in this category search for an employer whose mission and goals closely align with their personal values and career ambitions. In short, employers will have to offer more than just a decent salary. You’ll see a trend in employee engagement as employers seek to provide a more attractive workplace package for potential employees.

#5 Elimination Of The Corporate Ladder

The future of the workplace will see the elimination of the traditional corporate ladder. In past generations, the trend has been to get hired out of school and remain with a company for an entire career. Today, employees tend to stay with a company for an average of 4.6 years, and Millennials tend to turnover even faster.

In addition, technology has made specialization more prominent. Technology changes quickly, and the detailed nature of each new system plays a part in crafting today’s workforce trends. There is no longer a one size fits all approach, and workers are trying to keep up their skills and expertise by going back to school to learn the details of each new technology trend. They are then applying this knowledge via lateral movements and focusing on the expansion of their portfolio rather than upward movement.

Final Thought

These are just a few of the many ways the current workforce is expected to change in the near future. Technology and a new workforce attitude will force organizations to adapt and uncover creative approaches to these new and changing dynamics. Employers will need to take steps now to prepare for these upcoming shifts.

 

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