The idea of an office has changed greatly since the Covid-19 pandemic. What people want from their work is no longer as simple as it used to be as our priorities have shifted and our needs with them.
New workplace trends for 2023 and beyond are requiring employers to adapt quickly and consider how their workplace functions from the ground up.
In this article, we have looked at what workplace trends might dominate the coming years and offered some recommendations for how businesses can make changes to stay on top of what their employees want and need.
Hybrid work has become the new normal
Office work has traditionally followed a standard 9-5 pattern which offers no flexibility or potential to fit your job around your life. However, the Covid-19 pandemic showed everyone involved that it is quite possible to work more flexibly without seeing any negative effects on productivity. Indeed, in many cases, people worked more effectively when given more control over their time.
Hybrid working provides a whole range of advantages to employers and employees alike. Embracing flexibility has become the new normal and employers should act accordingly. Some people like to work in offices, some people like to work at home. Some people prefer 9-5 hours, some prefer more flexibility to suit their individual circumstances.
By adopting a hybrid working style, employers can serve every type of employee while increasing job satisfaction, becoming more productive and keeping the best staff.
Multi-functional workspaces
Part of embracing hybrid work is finding the right space to maximise its potential. Accordingly, the second workplace trend to keep an eye on in 2023 and beyond is the move towards multi-functional workspaces.
Long banks of static benches are on the way out; flexible desk arrangements are in. The evolution of office design means that a modern, multi-functional office must be many different things at the same time.
Desk layouts which can be changed at will to suit different tasks are in demand. The ability to shift office layouts at short notice is a form of hotdesking which encourages creativity and collaboration – the things touted as major benefits of having an office.
At the same time, it is beneficial to have quieter, private spaces for people to work in when greater concentration is required. Providing these spaces alongside the aforementioned open, flexible spaces will be a great benefit to your employees.
Finally, operating a multi-functional office and adopting a hybrid working style means that you will need meeting rooms equipped with the latest telecommunications equipment for meetings and virtual team building.
If modern work patterns are trending towards flexibility, then the spaces people occupy should as well. Renting a serviced office which is equipped to encourage collaboration and productivity no matter where your employees are based will be a popular business trend in 2023 and beyond.
Focus on mental health and wellbeing at work
Considering our mental health has never been more important, and that includes when we are at work.
The World Health Organisations states that: “Everyone has the right to work and all workers have the right to a safe and healthy working environment. Work can be a protective factor for mental health, but it can also contribute to worsening mental health. Work-related mental health conditions are preventable. Much can also be done to protect and promote mental health at work and support people with mental health conditions to participate fully and equitably in work.”
With this in mind, one of the most important workplace trends in 2023 will be employers taking steps to protect and improve the mental health of their staff. A major way to do this is to get your workplace right.
Areas to look at include finding an office which is bright, well ventilated and can be heated and cooled properly to ensure employees are comfortable. You can also provide spaces for relaxation such as break out rooms, lounges and cafes. Employees working in a hybrid fashion will place more value on an office which makes them feel at home.
You can also consider external factors and how they impact the mental health of your employees. An office close to transport links will cut down peoples’ commute, and one close to green spaces and good shops can make their downtime much more enjoyable and stress free.
Almost two thirds of workers say they are stressed on a daily basis due to their jobs – a situation which will clearly have a negative effect on their mental health. By choosing the right office and providing a comfortable, convenient workplace, you can make work a more positive experience with health and wellbeing at its heart.
Workplace trends in 2023 and beyond are changing work as we know it forever. It is necessary for businesses to keep up and change along with the times. Savvy business owners will invest time and money into getting their workplaces right and choosing an office which promotes flexibility, is multi-functional and is a positive factor in the health and wellbeing of employees.
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