What trends await us in the workplace in 2024
Last week we talked about tech trends and it wouldn’t be fair to stay just on that. So this week we will cover new trends that will rise in the workplace in the following year. But before that, I want to make a short recap of everything that we have gone through in the workplace in the past 2 years. I think by giving us this brief we will be able to see how much things have changed.
Past years
I will start from the obvious, the ones that we are all aware of, remote work and flexible working time became a must at one point. Furthermore, since we are working in tech we are also probably aware that artificial intelligence and automation took place. Technological developments have allowed machines to perform duties that were previously completed by people. We learned how to become faster with some tasks while at the same time reducing cost. It is almost ironic that all of it started happening in the same year when the crisis appeared and many people lost their jobs. You probably heard the famous saying: “AI will replace us and we will lose our jobs because of it.” - but I think that we realized that the workforce and employees are extremely important and that it won’t replace us that easily.
According to that, this year we put more emphasis on emotional intelligence, creativity, and problem-solving skills, that humans have. Consequently, the workforce became diverse and companies started to look for top talent rather than someone who is in the same location. So remote work got a bit different meaning than in the beginning. You see how we came full circle?
We are coming to the next year. What is going to change?
Remote, office, or 4-day work
Even though some employees prefer remote, some hybrid, others love the office. According to the KPMG CEO Outlook poll, 64% of global CEOs anticipate going back to work in offices full-time by 2026. But flexible work arrangements still seem important to many. And if you have been reading some stories on the side, you came across the information about the 4-day workweek. Early global trials conducted by 4dayweek.com revealed that switching from a five-day workweek resulted in a 68% decrease in staff burnout and a 36% boost in income. So all of this is open to discussion, and everyone has their own opinion. What do you think will happen?
Do you know the salary range when you are applying for a job position?
The next trend we will talk about is Salary Transparency. Is it because Gen-Z is entering the workplace and they are more open about the money? Or do Millennials just want to support each other's job search? Whatever the reason is, many employers are revealing salary ranges in job descriptions and I think this is the path to reducing pay gaps as well. That is why we have the Salary Explorer on Joberty - so you know if you are underpaid or not.
Generative AI in the workplace as well
As we mentioned Generative AI as a tech trend it is only logical that it will have an impact on the way we work as well. We resolved the dilemma that it wouldn’t easily replace us, but we didn’t discuss what it would actually do. A lot more investment will be put into understanding how AI can be integrated within businesses, and both employees and employers will need training to see how to retain people and also enhance the business. We all need to learn what are the limitations and where is the place for our creativity as well.
More learning
Hand in hand with the previous one goes Lifelong Learning and Skill Development.
As technology advances, upskilling and continuous learning are becoming more and more important. To assist staff members in learning new skills, employers are funding training and development initiatives. Companies will demand that workers participate in continuous training to stay current with developing technologies or retrain them, especially those that involve data and AI.
Digital Nomad Visa
The final trend that we will talk about is Freelancing and Gig Economy. This point somehow encompasses all of what we talked about because it supports the idea of remote work from anywhere as well as the possibility of personal and career growth and development. People say that sometimes it's good to travel because by getting to know new cultures we discover a lot about ourselves.
And digital nomads or freelancers have recognized just that. We can see a pattern that started showing up - workers who need a break from their daily workspaces and who are seeking adventure and tourist destinations that want to attract visitors - so what became a trend is a digital nomad visa. Even though it is a self-explanatory concept, on the link you can find what countries offer it and how can you get it. This can be your potential plan for 2024. Do you like to have a work routine in the same company or do you prefer jumping from one project to another for different clients?
The modern workplace keeps changing as 2024 draws near. These developments will continue to reshape the nature of work in the future, that is for sure. So now you see how tech trends and workplace trends complement each other. Let’s dive in together. What is your favorite trend out of these? Share your opinion with us.
