2022 was the year many companies finally made it back into the office. Some companies with strict policies saw a quick decline in employee engagement. While others accepted remote work and opened up opportunities for new hires across the country or the world.
After training hundreds of employees at different companies this year and building strategies for Future of Work, we’re sharing what we experienced in 2022 and the top 5 trends we’re predicting for 2023.
2022 In Review:
Top companies presented their Return-to-the-Office plans, some catching headlines. Netflix’s CEO strongly dislikes the work-from-home culture, insisting all employees come back to the office. Surprisingly, many large tech companies require employees to work from the office three days a week.
According to Future Forum, flexibility is highly desired, second only to compensation when it comes to workplace satisfaction. But flexibility is more than just location: employees want schedule flexibility, too. 80% of global desk-based workers say they want location flexibility, but 94% say they want schedule flexibility.
Companies like Spotify take flexibility seriously, allowing teams to work wherever and whenever they want as long as it’s legal and your team can sort out the time zones.
But Future Forum found even more benefits to flexible work: those workers with full schedule flexibility report 29% higher productivity than workers with no ability to shift their schedule. They also report a 53% greater ability to focus.
As Brent Hyder of Salesforce said, “The nine-to-five workday is dead, and the employee experience is more than ping-pong tables and snacks.”
Trend #1: Real Estate Shift
With 72% of CFOs planning to cut their real estate budget, we know hybrid and remote work are here to stay. In the past, companies have decreased real estate due to recessions, but today, it allows them to keep important hires who want flexibility while simultaneously lowering costs.
Office spaces are becoming more collaborative, with fewer designated desks for teammates. If a team plans to work together in person, they can reserve a conference room or table instead of separate desks.
Trend #2: Coworking as a 3rd Space
While the original iteration of WeWork may have failed, coworking spaces have become popular again to allow employees a chance to leave their houses without a long commute to the office. With flexible payment options, an employee can work alone for a few days a week, or a local team can work together without traveling to the office.
Trend #3: Employee Activism
With the rise of the Great Resignation, employers are taking employees’ needs seriously. They’re offering the flexibility and benefits that those new hires require or implementing them quickly to keep the employees they already have. Between sickness, childcare and teacher shortages, and a general feeling of burnout, employees are demanding respect for their personal time.
Employees also require answers from their companies about sustainability and inclusion. This shift has opened the doors for new hires in new locations that companies may not have considered in the past.
Trend #4: The Future of Work is Local
The Future of Work is happening at the community level. With so many people working where they live, or close to where they live, expect a massive revolution in the suburban lifestyle. Arts, entertainment, and dining life will become mobile and move from urban to suburban areas; creating a whole new startup category. Check out Wonder to get an idea of what we mean.
Trend #5: The Chief Learning Officer
As the world of work changes rapidly, the Chief Learning Officer has a more important role in the workplace. Instead of only coordinating large training sessions, they are responsible for developing a culture of learning within the workplace and embracing innovation.
According to the Harvard Business Review, “The need for organizations to become more adaptable means changing the goals of corporate learning. Instead of narrowly focusing on job- or compliance-related training for all but their high-potential leaders, organizations should cultivate every employee’s ability to explore, learn, and grow. The objective is not only to train people but also to position the company for success.”
Prepare for 2023 by Building a Happy Hybrid Team
At SWAY, we help companies build Happy Hybrid Teams through data-driven training that teaches each team how they work best. So make 2023 your best year yet by eliminating burnout and reaching new productivity levels with hybrid work that works for you.