My predictions for the world of work in 2024 ??

Hello! And welcome back to my newsletter. I write about the future of work, flexible working, startups, and DEI. If you’ve been forwarded this newsletter, join over 21,000 people and subscribe here .?

I realise we’re already a little way into the year but I promise this first edition of my newsletter in 2024 is worth the wait.

This week I’m sharing our very first Flexible Working Report and making some pretty bold predictions for the future of work in 2024.?

It’s one of the best I've read on the future of work (I know I'm biased but our team have done a stellar job) and you can get hold of it here for free !?

This week I’ll be covering:?

?? The future of work report - access it for free

?? My five predictions for 2024?

?? Chart of the week, showing flexible working and diversity are intrinsically linked

Behind the scenes of the report???

At Flexa we sit on a lot of unique data. A lot.?Like millions of data points.

This gives us a really special insight into the way work is changing. We’re able to track candidate preference changes in close to real time and compare this data to the changing working environments of companies who are onboarding to Flexa.?

We dug through all of this, read everything we could get our hands on, and spoke to some incredible experts.

All of this comes together in the report, which you can download for free here . I hope you enjoy the read!?

My five predictions for 2024???

?? Prediction 1: Bad managers will no longer have anywhere to hide

It’s easy to be a passable manager when you can look over someone’s shoulder all day and rely on natural in-person interactions to build trust and confidence. But in remote, hybrid and flexible setups, this advantage no longer exists. 2024 is the year of intentional management - and it will show up a lot of people.

??? Prediction 2: Hiring will become more like marketing

The very best talent cares about more than just salary and titles. Companies will therefore need to lead with their EVP (Employee Value Proposition) front and centre to ensure they attract the right talent for them.

?? Prediction 3: Tension will brew between individualism and collectivity

Choice and freedom are becoming paramount to employees. With this comes a challenge for employers in maintaining a real sense of their unique company culture and values between employees who are working in disparate places, times and manners.

?? Prediction 4: HR and People teams will continue to step up strategically

In just a few short years, the People function within a business has seen the scope of their roles expand dramatically. No longer just in charge of hiring and firing; these individuals are responsible for so much more, and will continue to adapt, just as they have throughout the pandemic and beyond, becoming strategic business partners for good.

?? Prediction 5: Flexibility will expand beyond knowledge workers, or it will struggle to grow

Just because a job can’t be done from home doesn’t mean that it can’t be enhanced with some level of flexibility. Continuing to challenge preconceptions about who flexibility is ‘for’ will be essential in order to empower as many workers as possible to choose how they balance work and life, and ultimately to ensure the future of flexible work for all.

Chart of the week: flexibility and diversity cannot exist without each other ??

We’ve known for a long time that flexible environments are appealing to a diverse audience. Our own audience growth continues to prove this to be true.?

Over the last year the number of candidates of colour on Flexa increased by a massive 33%, candidates with disabilities increased by 4%, and LGBTQ+ candidates increased by 25%.?

A surprising measure of diversity for us is the increase in male candidates on Flexa in the last year – increasing by 20%. This is, unconventionally, a big win.?

More men seeking out flexible working arrangements helps displace the myth that flexible working is just for women who ‘can’t cope’ and hopefully, eventually, helps to combat the burden placed on women to do the vast majority of caring and household responsibilities.?

If flexible working is for everyone, then so are chores.?

How to work with me ??

I am a flexible working and future of work expert, but I also talk regularly about personal and employer brand building. There are a few ways we can work together:

• I've spoken at events and conferences all around the world, so if you'd like me to speak at your next event or conference, let me know!
• Bring me in to run a workshop session with your employees around employee advocacy and personal branding
• Educate your talent team about employer branding with my employer branding run-down sessions
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If you’re interested in any of these, please drop me an email on [email protected] or DM me via LinkedIn.