The workplace has undergone significant changes in recent years due to the increasing demand for digital technology, resulting in the adoption of new work models and technology. However, studies predict that the workplace will continue to evolve in the next ten years, as workers make the return to the office. Business leaders expect their employees to continue working from home, but companies will need to innovate their workforce to keep up with emerging trends. The following are five signs that the future of work is changing:
1. More upskilling for employees: Learning new skills is crucial in the digital economy, and employees will need to get more creative, critical and learn more digital skills to manage complex problems.
2. Robots will be our co-workers: Companies will begin to employ smart machines, software and avatars to assist employees, and workers can be trained to handle virtual helpers.
3. Working days will shorten: The typical 40-hour, five-day week may get shortened in the future, as businesses have found it easier to retain workers through four-day week schedules.
4. Hybrid working will be the norm: Remote working setups have become the new normal, and businesses will embrace the hybrid work model by incorporating both remote and in-person workers.
5. Office spaces will be reimagined: Physical working spaces will be reimagined to be at the centre of social interaction in the workforce or to leverage businesses.
Overall, these changes in the workplace are a clear indication that the future of work is shifting towards a more digital and flexible workforce. Companies will need to adapt to this changing environment by retooling their operations, upskilling their employees and reimagining physical working spaces.