In recent years, workplaces have dramatically changed, and organizations around the world have adopted new ways of doing things. From learning to be more human-centric, bringing a stronger focus on empathy and well-being at work, to learning more about development and digital transformation. Needless to say, there’s a lot in store when it comes to emerging workplace trends, but some are more prevalent and essential for business success and output. Here are the top workplace trends you should look out for and adopt in 2022.
Though some organizations had a hybrid work model before the pandemic, COVID-19 forced most organizations globally to adopt hybrid work, where employees can continue to work remotely as well as from the office; and it looks like it’s here to stay. By adopting hybrid work, you empower your employees while keeping them engaged. Instead of paying too much attention to the place of work, the entire focus is on delivering better business results while ensuring employee wellness. The shift to hybrid work is becoming a massive transformation now and in the coming years, and most organizations should be ready to get behind it.
Organizations have also been focusing more on work-life balance and the mental health of their people. Prioritizing employee wellness has become a game-changer for employers and their employees, especially as the pandemic and other factors continue leading to more stress and burnout. Employers are now more proactive than ever to make employee wellness a foremost priority. As organizations come to realize how important the well-being of their employees is to their business, more begin investing in wellness programs and encourage work-life balance.
Soft skills, also referred to as “power skills,” tend to be looked over but are some of the most crucial skills to have in this day and age. In fact, a survey reveals that many of the top skills that needed upskilling within many teams and organizations were soft skills. Some of these skills include; management and leadership, critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. Organizations’ focus on these skills will continue to grow, and leadership models and the skills leaders need will be reassessed to ensure success.
Automation has undoubtedly transformed the workplace in countless ways. It has improved and expedited many internal processes within organizations while ensuring consistent output and even increasing employee engagement. Utilizing automation alleviates your employees from repetitive mundane tasks, freeing up their time to focus on more innovative and fulfilling work. Automation helps companies grow the bottom line and has proven to be an essential asset that’s gradually becoming a necessity in every business.
The modern-day workplace is constantly evolving; many skills that were sought after for a job in previous years may not even be applicable in 2022. These rapid changes have pushed businesses and employers to focus on reskilling and upskilling their existing workforce even more. According to a World Economic Forum report, about 40% of the global workforce will need reskilling in the next few years. As companies struggle to fill open roles, closing skill gaps and retraining existing employees to fill internal positions has become one of the best solutions.
Employees are the core of any organization. There’s always been a need to focus on employee experience to increase engagement and productivity within an organization. Constantly working to provide a good employee experience motivates your team to give 100% and work passionately towards achieving common organizational goals. In 2022, competition in all the major industries will only continue to grow, and if you don’t focus on providing a positive employee experience, you’re at risk of losing valuable talent.