The workplace is evolving – here’s what you should do if you want to keep up
The workplace is an ever-evolving environment and, according to a new report, companies will have to make some big changes if they want to keep prospective employees interested.
Financial protection specialist Unum partnered with trend forecasting firm The Future Laboratory to identify exactly what the average workplace will look like in 15 years’ time and results show there’ll be a serious shift in employee attitude which employers will have to accommodate.
“The workplace is changing, becoming increasingly people-centric, so organizations competing for talent will need to be more supportive of their staff than ever before,” says Peter O’Donnell, chief executive of Unum. “Employers need to start talking now to adapt effectively to its evolution or they face significant financial repercussions,” he warns.
The report found that an increasing number of workers are rejecting the “busy, hyper-connected, digital lifestyle” that has been widely considered the status quo in recent years, choosing instead to pursue “personal fulfilment and wellbeing.”
The study suggests organizations cultivate a workplace that is “mindful, tranquil, sublime and that nurtures health and performance of the mind.”
According to researchers, there are four prevalent workplace trends that employers must adapt to:
The downfall of ‘workaholism’
Traditional structures will be abolished – flexible working hours and environments will be the norm and teams will be encouraged to mix and share ideas freely.
Employers should begin establishing an environment in which ‘workaholism’ is unwelcome and even prohibited.
The rise of ‘daydreaming’
“Employees and employers should realize the power of daydreaming and give people the time, space and tools to imagine more,” the report says.
The workplace of 2030 will have realized the financial benefits of “embracing the art of daydreaming” and will provide employees with downtime to develop creative solutions to productivity issues.
The downfall of masculinity
The report sees the workplace of 2030 as a much more gender-neutral environment – traits typically considered masculine, such as aggression, analytical sills, decisiveness and pride, will no longer hold high value.
Companies will have to tailor their culture to one that openly welcomes women and the perspectives they bring.
The rise and rise of ‘returnment’
The workplace of 2030 will replace retirement with ‘returnment’ to enable older workers to remain in suitable employment, should they wish.
“There is a clear need for businesses to augment how they care for the mind as well as the body to enable their staff to work better and for longer,” says Tom Savigar, chief strategy officer at The Future Laboratory.
Financial protection specialist Unum partnered with trend forecasting firm The Future Laboratory to identify exactly what the average workplace will look like in 15 years’ time and results show there’ll be a serious shift in employee attitude which employers will have to accommodate.
“The workplace is changing, becoming increasingly people-centric, so organizations competing for talent will need to be more supportive of their staff than ever before,” says Peter O’Donnell, chief executive of Unum. “Employers need to start talking now to adapt effectively to its evolution or they face significant financial repercussions,” he warns.
The report found that an increasing number of workers are rejecting the “busy, hyper-connected, digital lifestyle” that has been widely considered the status quo in recent years, choosing instead to pursue “personal fulfilment and wellbeing.”
The study suggests organizations cultivate a workplace that is “mindful, tranquil, sublime and that nurtures health and performance of the mind.”
According to researchers, there are four prevalent workplace trends that employers must adapt to:
The downfall of ‘workaholism’
Traditional structures will be abolished – flexible working hours and environments will be the norm and teams will be encouraged to mix and share ideas freely.
Employers should begin establishing an environment in which ‘workaholism’ is unwelcome and even prohibited.
The rise of ‘daydreaming’
“Employees and employers should realize the power of daydreaming and give people the time, space and tools to imagine more,” the report says.
The workplace of 2030 will have realized the financial benefits of “embracing the art of daydreaming” and will provide employees with downtime to develop creative solutions to productivity issues.
The downfall of masculinity
The report sees the workplace of 2030 as a much more gender-neutral environment – traits typically considered masculine, such as aggression, analytical sills, decisiveness and pride, will no longer hold high value.
Companies will have to tailor their culture to one that openly welcomes women and the perspectives they bring.
The rise and rise of ‘returnment’
The workplace of 2030 will replace retirement with ‘returnment’ to enable older workers to remain in suitable employment, should they wish.
“There is a clear need for businesses to augment how they care for the mind as well as the body to enable their staff to work better and for longer,” says Tom Savigar, chief strategy officer at The Future Laboratory.
