Worker expectations have changed, and candidates are increasingly seeking out jobs that allow for some level of remote work and a better work/life balance.
Employers must adapt to new trends that continue to rattle the world of work if they are to stay competitive in the future. In this article, we look at some of the most impactful trends that you should keep an eye on as we head towards 2023. Read on for our expert insights!
Employee expectations are changing
The pandemic forced entire industries to start working from home, and while these changes were uncomfortable and alien to many, workers appear to have taken a liking to remote work models. A staggering 80% of Canadians who started working remotely during the pandemic would like to continue doing so at least half of the time once the pandemic is over.
For young workers, remote work is a must-have when looking for employment. Reports show that 56% of Gen Z workers are considering a shift to remote work in the next year. Couple this with the fact that 1 in 10 permanent workers in Canada are considering leaving their current job, and employers can see the importance of understanding employee expectations if they want to hold on to top talent.
Work/life balance
Employees are also changing their priorities when it comes to their work/life balance. 24% of people who quit their jobs did so because due to personal well-being or mental health reasons. This is hardly surprising if we consider that almost half of workers think their employer is not doing enough to support their well-being and 45% say they work after business hours.
Despite these alarming figures, employers may not be on the same page as their workers. 74% say they’ve implemented changes to increase employee satisfaction and well-being. If organizations are serious about retaining talent and maintaining a productive workforce, they need to establish a dialogue with their workforce to better understand their needs.
Teamwork in a remote world
Remote work has given birth to an endless list of collaboration tools and team software designed to bring colleagues closer together. While these might take some getting used to, employees seem to be more than happy with remote collaboration. Surveys reveal that 85% of workers are satisfied with their remote collaboration setup. This could mean increased productivity and higher retention rates for employers – factors that are likely to give them a significant advantage over competitors that don’t embrace remote or hybrid work models.
Organizations might even be able to cut operational costs thanks to remote work! Three-quarters of employers say they’ve been able to restructure their lease costs and 80% have repurposed their office space.
An increasingly competitive labour market
If Canadian workers continue to favour remote job opportunities and flexible work arrangements, employers may be forced to drastically change their employment offering. Canada is currently experiencing a serious talent shortage that is putting pressure on an already highly competitive labour market.
Canada’s drop in labour force participation is one of the factors contributing to this talent crisis. With 214,200 workers and 564,000 new jobs expected to be added to the market each year, there’s a considerable worker shortage that needs to be dealt with.
Remote workers may be the answer to this growing problem. US companies are leading the way with nearshore outsourcing to deal with a lack of domestic workers to fuel their growth. Mexico and other Latin American countries offer talented remote workers that can fill high-demand roles in tech, customer service and other expanding sectors.
Data security and remote workers
The greater flexibility of remote work appears to have some critical disadvantages that IT professionals are worried about. A pre-pandemic survey showed that 90% of tech leaders believed that remote workers posed a data security risk, with 85% of companies reporting that cybersecurity has become more important compared to before the pandemic.
Company-wide remote work may increase the likelihood of cyber-attacks on company data as employees connect to more insecure internet networks and rely more heavily on cloud technology. With a rise in AI technology, hackers are able to carry out widescale attacks to bypass security filters that may not be as robust outside of the office. Organizations must invest in data security training and technology like VPNs if they are to fully leverage a remote workforce in a way that doesn’t put sensitive company information at risk.
Reinforcing company culture
Company culture is fundamental to maintaining a unified and productive workforce. Two-thirds of CEOs report that effectively maintaining their organizational culture is the top challenge they currently face with their workforce. Providing adequate training and onboarding to new hires while offering safe spaces for communication are great ways to reinforce your company culture. Leveraging communication platforms and fostering bonds between remote workers should be a priority for any employer concerned with a weakened company culture in a remote world.
For more insights and trends affecting the world of work, make sure to visit the Adecco Canada blog. If you’re an employer who needs assistance in navigating the remote world of work, our seasoned workforce solutions experts can help. Contact us today to learn more about our services!