If there is one thing that will inherently remain constant in any given environment, it is change. This is because the needs of the workforce keep changing every so often, thus pushing for the necessary changes.
What might have been considered befitting for the workplace this year may continue or be done away with next year. Here’s a forecast of the possible changes in the work environment;
- Human-Centered Models
It is now more apparent than ever that more employees want their employers to show more compassion. This means they want to be seen as people, not just as a company’s workforce. Employers are expected to put in place measures to detect important aspects of their employees, such as fatigue levels and desire to stay at the company.
Companies that adopt a human-centered workplace model will be better placed to note significant changes in an employee’s behavior towards their job. With this information, the company can find solutions to the issues and adopt measures to curb future occurrences. There is also the benefit of reduced staff turnover and especially reducing the now infamous quiet quitting.
- Artificial Intelligence
Whether the work environment is ready for artificial intelligence or not, it is here and demands attention. There has been a shift for employers as they seek a workforce that can adopt different aspects of AI to do their jobs better.
One of the tools pegged to be widely used is generative artificial intelligence. This is because companies that have adopted generative AI have seen a drastic improvement in efficiency in any industry.
The other aspect of generative AI that is getting people into a frenzy is the issue of replacing humans in the workplace. AI will undoubtedly be used in place of humans in some industries due to its proven efficiency and results. However, for a majority of industries, it will take a collaborative approach between humans and AI to get the job done. Generally, people who can use AI will be more of a threat than the intelligence tools. The work environment can only improve with the collaboration of AI and human creativity.
- The Gig Economy
Freelance work and side hustles are two terms that will solidify their presence in 2024. More people have embraced the idea of the gig economy and gotten specialized skills to match its demands. This trend will see more people crave less traditional jobs and career diversification.
Employers have also noted the benefits of hiring specialized workers, thus heavily influencing this economic model. The gig economy offers top-notch services for a fraction of the cost, proving it beneficial for the work environment.
- Remote Working
There might have been a time when remote working was a concept reserved for a few, but that quickly changed during the pandemic. So, will remote working be a concept that will go on strongly into the coming year? The short answer is no; remote working will continue, albeit now it will be a hybrid approach.
The hybrid approach encourages employees to work less remotely and rather dedicate a bigger percentage of their work life to the office. The number of hours to be dedicated to remote working will vary from one industry to the next due to the different requirements of each. The most notable remote working trends will be;
- A surge in remote internships
- Increase measures in data security
- Reskilling and upskilling remote workers
- Improved virtual collaboration tools
- Hidden Workforce
For a long time, human resource managers have mostly considered and recruited employees from regular job seekers. However, with studies indicating an all-time low unemployment rate, talent and skill will be sought from other quarters, such as the hidden workforce.
Hidden or forgotten workforce refers to people who are not considered to join the work environment, including individuals without degrees, retirees, and ex-inmates. While some of them may already be in active employment, they are usually casual workers paid on an hourly basis. The probable move in the coming year will be to make them full-time employees.
This hidden workforce will also warrant the implementation of the right conditions to enable them to work comfortably. For instance, special measures will be implemented to create a better working environment for disabled people and people with long-term health problems.
- Continuous Learning
Business practices never remain constant, and with such demands, employees need to have skills relevant to the time. That is why the employed are constantly in pursuit of skill advancement. Luckily, one can further their skills through online platforms where different levels of education are offered. The evolution of technology and AI has also heavily influenced the need for lifelong learning to keep up with the times.
- Emotional Intelligence
Technical skills are a pivotal component for the success of any work environment, but currently, so is emotional intelligence. Employers are starting to correlate the need to empathize with their employees for their and the company’s sake. Mental health has been a big conversation this year and will only get bigger next year.
Employees are cashing in on mental health days to unwind and work out any emotional anguish. This trend fosters better and deeper connections among the employees and with their employers. Creating support structures for mental well-being within the office will also be more apparent in 2024. Some support structures include creating spaces for rest, library areas, and even napping zones. Employers seeking to better understand their employees’ mental and emotional needs have reported better staff retention and productivity.
- Crisis Preparedness
The work environment is yet to fully recover from the crisis it experienced during the 2020 pandemic. Companies prefer to be ready to face any situation, no matter how unpredictable. Employers are investing time and resources into resilience and crisis readiness programs to help their employees better cope with crises when they arise.
The work environment is changing, and the great thing is that employers and employees are dedicated to making the necessary changes.