Winning Workplace 2022: Flexible, Digital, Humane
Strategic planning is about identifying priorities. Meaningful change will not happen if you spread your focus too broadly. You will get the most reward for your investments – in terms of time, resources and people – by narrowing your wish list down to no more than three company-wide priorities. So what should they be?
In a recent LinkedIn post, New York Times best-selling author Dan Schawbel identified The Top 10 Workplace Trends for 2022 based on interviews with hundreds of CEOs and workplace professionals, as well as surveys and research studies.
The 10 trends can be grouped into three themes that characterize the winning workplace 2022. Letting these three focus areas guide your strategy will put you on the right path!
1. Flexible
The pandemic led to a worldwide work-from-home experiment for office workers – and there will be no 180-degree reversal to pre-pandemic office life. The genie is out of the bottle. The question for most organizations is not whether to give people workplace flexibility but how to make the most of it.
Hybrid work is a chance to redefine your culture. Seize the moment.
Business Insider UK Read SummaryAfter Embracing Remote Work in 2020, Companies Face Conflicts Making It Permanent
Venture Beat Read SummaryFour Principles to Ensure Hybrid Work Is Productive Work
MIT Sloan Management Review Read SummaryGiving people flexibility as to when and where they want to work is one thing. Ensuring that flexible work arrangements produce fair outcomes is another. Especially in a hybrid work environment, companies must find effective ways to make sure all-remote team members don’t miss out on career development and promotion opportunities.
2. Digital
The role of digital technology in the workplace will only grow. Investing in the right tools and teaching people the skills to use them effectively is a prerequisite business viability.
With the increased automation of individual processes, streamlining processes across the business without human intervention – also known as hyperautomation – will be the next logical step. Cloud-based room systems and employee management apps also count among the top technologies organizations will want to embrace.
3. Humane
Over 15 million Americans left their jobs since April 2021, and labor availability is a main concern that keeps many a leader up at night. Keeping employees happy means being responsive to their needs – which is why establishing regular feedback mechanisms and adjusting policies to meet employees’ needs will be key.
Increasing base salaries and adding perks is only a starting point. Employee expectations have grown beyond basic health benefits to include support in the areas of mental health, well-being and work-life balance. They also expect employers to invest in their skill development and learning.
Moreover, people want to work for companies with whose mission and values they can identify.
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Digital HR Leaders Podcast hosted by David Gree… Read SummaryTo attract and keep talent, a values-based culture and a commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues are now a must-have.
As you are planning for 2022 and beyond, flexible, digital and humane are guiding principles you can fine-tune as circumstances change. At a time as disruptive as the one we live in, they will sure keep you on course.