Workplace trends to keep your eye on in the new year

Jonathan Webb

Guest Columnist

November 29, 2023

Over the course of our work, we routinely speak with customers and research partners about what’s on tap for the coming year when it comes to the workplace.

One could think we’d see the same focal points come up time and again, but we live in interesting times, and we speak with some pretty interesting folks.

Following are some workplace trends that may be able to help you keep pace as we enter the new year:

Gen Z is moving in
Those born between 1997 and 2012 are coming of age and are expected to make up 30% of the workforce by 2030.

In addition to having grown up with technology, Gen Z individuals are full of fresh ideas and are motivated to make the world a better place.  

They have a drive to learn and develop multiple skill sets and generally work well with a collaborative management style.

A positive work environment is important to Gen Zers, which allows them to connect, collaborate and co-create with their peers – both in-person and digitally.

Creating an environment that encourages authenticity, personal interaction and mutual respect can help set you up for success.   

Mentoring, coaching become a priority
As large portions of the workforce approach retirement and younger workers begin to get their feet wet, mentorship and coaching programs are becoming vitally important.

They can help bridge the transition and pass valuable knowledge to the next generation.  

What’s most interesting in this newest iteration of mentorship, however, is that it works both ways.

While younger workers are learning what they need to know from those with the most experience, they’re also sharing valuable technological acumen with the older generation. Mentoring has become a two-way street, with both parties able to give and receive valuable knowledge. 

Engagement remains a priority
Employee engagement is closely tied to how valuable an employee feels to their employer and how connected they feel with their peers.

Employee engagement still tops the list when it comes to workplace priorities.

The use of accommodating, comfortable environments that acknowledge the humanness of the workforce and convey a sense of respect and appreciation will be on the rise. 

With the evolution from in-person to remote and now to hybrid work, employers are still seeking the most effective strategies to balance personal work preferences with strategies that improve productivity and corporate cohesiveness. Watch for new iterations of hybrid work policies along with newly imagined workspaces over the coming year as employers search for just the right balance.

Wellness programs evolve, get more creative
Changes in workplace priorities and company cultures have led to a substantial shift in corporate wellness programs.

A new era has entered where both physical and mental health have become increasingly intertwined and important. 
 
In response, employee well-being programs will get more creative as will the spaces in which they take place.

Employers will take a more holistic approach to wellness, incorporating ideas that promote physical, emotional, social, career and financial well-being, creating a “culture of health.”

Watch for improvements that: 

Encourage movement and engagementAccommodate different work styles Create opportunities for unplanned conversationsMake outdoor environments more accessible during the workdayCreate spaces for training and professional development Help combat workplace stress and mental burnout
The trends here are by no means exhaustive, but they cover key insights to keep your eye on.

When you think about it, the rapid pace of technological evolution has forever changed the way we work and the spaces we occupy.

Keeping an eye on what’s on the horizon can help your organization keep pace with and embrace the best parts of that change.