Only the industrial revolution changed the world of work in the same way as the pandemic of the last two years. We traded offices for our kitchens and living rooms, and most meetings have been virtual since then.
But what will trends for 2022 be? What do employees want and how do companies respond to the developments?
Flexibility
Highly qualified employees, in particular, will continue to demand the flexibility they have recently acquired, and companies are well advised to grant it. It is not only about spatial flexibility here, but also time flexibility, because the classic standard solution of "9 to 5" no longer works to any real degree of satisfaction these days. It is time to consider the individual needs of the employees in order to then find a solution that suits both parties. For many companies, this also means that the often inflexible regulations must be adapted.
Hybrid working
Similarly, home office working will give way to hybrid working over time. Because employees are also demanding greater flexibility when it comes to their place of work. Forrester data from the summer of 2021 reveals that 49% of employees would prefer to continue working from home. Hybrid working is the perfect solution: you can choose whether to work in the office or work at home.
For managers this means they will have to continue to guide and manage their employees remotely in future. In the case of distance leadership, it is important to place trust in employees and resist the urge to micro-manage.
Innovative office concepts
New office concepts will also be needed to make working and the overall environment more pleasant. Two almost opposing trends can be identified here. On the one hand, meeting boxes and "telephone booths" that are designed to reduce noise in open-plan offices because conversation no longer dissipates into the office. The employees outside the box enjoy a quieter environment that promotes better concentration, while the employees inside the boxes have more privacy and can conduct confidential conversations discreetly.
On the other hand, after spending a year and a half working from home, people long for social interaction. A day spent in the office can also be a welcome opportunity to meet together in real life rather than in video calls as well as exchange ideas and make new contacts – after all, we are social beings and need to interact with others. Common rooms or stair seating of a sufficient size can be used to provide the necessary space for social life in the office.
Employee well-being
The well-being of employees is extremely important, especially in very stressful times when stress-related symptoms build up, and not just for altruistic reasons, since the success of a company depends on the well-being of everyone involved.
As a result, topics such as striking a good work-life balance, stress management and burnout prevention will be high on the priority list for the next year. This is the only way to guarantee the health of specialists and managers in the long term.
Employee turnover
Anyone who cannot offer such conditions to existing employees or potential new recruits will be affected even more severely by an increase in employee turnover. After a long and prolonged pandemic, many employees yearn for a breath of fresh air and new professional challenges. Then there are those who have put off changing jobs due to the pandemic.
These are now going to come upon companies that, after radical staff cuts, are facing a recovering economy with an increasing number of orders and are looking for qualified employees. Anyone wanting to win the battle to recruit the cleverest minds and the strongest performers must offer more than just a fruit basket and free coffee.
Diversity and inclusion
The perennial issues of diversity and inclusion will remain at the forefront in 2022.
These topics also include accessibility at the workplace so that people with physical disabilities can have a normal working life. In recent years, there has been a trend of employers changing the working environment to accommodate disabled employees and make sure they are not excluded or disadvantaged from the outset, instead of providing them with equipment to overcome barriers.
Business trips
Many business activities have been suspended over the last couple of years, including business trips. However, they are now on the comeback trail! Although business travel in 2022 will not return to pre-pandemic levels, the looming return of conferences, industry events and trade fairs will still give many people a reason to book train or plane tickets. Once more, Forrester data shows that 36% of employees will start making business trips again this year.