Workplace Trends I'm Watching Now

As more employees are returning to the office, I’ve been paying closer attention to different trends in the workplace. One of the biggest things I’ve noticed is that there is a marked gap between what employees are hoping to come back to, in terms of the workplace, and what organizations are doing to meet that.?

There is a broad sense of recognition that the office should be the destination of choice for work, but there also needs to be enough “sizzle” that it encourages employees to actually want to be back. This is in stark contrast to pre-pandemic work culture, when you were simply expected to show up and get your work done.?

Today, there is more of an emphasis on organizational culture and what that means for employees.?

Employee expectations in the workplace

The shift to a hybrid workforce allows employees some freedoms to choose where, when, and how they work. On the other hand, the shift to hybrid also puts some pressure on organizations to provide their employees with the space that they both want and need during their days in the office.?

But what do employees want upon their return to the office, after many of them have worked from home for nearly two years? More than just a place to work, it turns out. Employees today are seeking out feelings of connectedness with their colleagues, as well as working environments that are as comfortable as what they grew accustomed to at home. Relaxation spaces, healthy food services, and outdoor areas also top their list of what they are looking for in the office, according to a recent survey of office employees in the Regenerative Workplace Report from JLL.?

Cultivating the workplace of the future for DEI

As a member of the DEI Committee of CoreNET Global New York City Chapter, I spend a lot of time researching and learning about the various elements that go into DEI. One element that has particularly interested me recently about the workplace of the future is neurodiversity in the workplace and how we can create cultures and spaces that not only accommodate for, but also encourage greater neurodiversity in the workplace.?

Employers everywhere are beginning to face a major demographic shift, a dramatic increase of neurodiverse employees in the workplace today, made up of employees with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, Tourette’s syndrome, and other learning and mental health differences. I’ve noticed a number of more progressive organizations, such as Microsoft, have begun to address this by purposefully designing workspaces that are welcoming to and inclusive of neurodiverse employees.?

Most people are eager to get back into the office to socialize, learn, and be a part of the organizational culture. For the past two years, we’ve had to do the best we can to connect with our colleagues through Zoom or Teams, or another virtual platform. Now, there is an awakening of sorts going on —?a realization that going into the office isn’t such a bad thing. This is a “reset button” opportunity for employers, allowing people to think more dynamically about what makes the office a destination (other than free food, of course).?

Smart organizations will capitalize on this opportunity, taking the time to listen to what their employees want, and then building a physical space and organizational culture that support these wants.?

Other trends to consider?

Another trend that I’m really interested in is the metaverse and how it can be applied in the workplace. As an example, JLL is using virtual reality headsets to help with training employees in various roles. This allows trainees to experiment and make mistakes in a virtual environment, rather than in the real world where they could possibly get hurt or cause damage. Utilizing this type of technology affords colleagues the ability to collaborate in a VR/3D experience now — for instance, if the person to your left at the virtual table is speaking, you’ll hear his or her voice out of the left speaker, for a more immersive and life-like experience.?

By creating a holistic setting that combines what employees are looking for in the office with an inclusive environment and the latest in technology, employees will be more productive and more satisfied — and more likely to stay with their employer longer.?

Thanks for reading! Are there any trends that you are watching in the workplace in 2022? I’d love to hear about them. Comment below or share to keep the conversation going.?