Workplace Trends for 2023
The workplace is continuing to change in 2023. Here are some of the biggest trends that will impact you are your workplace.
Workplace mental well-being is continuing to grow in popularity as we slowly squeeze our way out of the pandemic. According to a survey by Gympass, an employee well-being platform, 48% of employees said that their well-being declined in 2022. And 28% described themselves as miserable at work! The reasons are many and include a fear of recession, job stability and balancing work/personal life. Organizations are aware and some are already reacting by offering mental health coverage to employees. This is important on three levels.
1-It helps with retention and can be a deciding factor in attracting new hires.
2- It shows all staff that your company cares about individuals.
3- It can grow productivity and workplace satisfaction in ways that are apparent and not so easy to see.
2023 is going to continue to be the year of the worker and this trend it is employees leverage over their employer. This comes as little surprise, but it’s good to know, whatever your position in a company. Workers will continue to have the upper hand when it comes to pay, and I see this continuing into 2024. Benefits, remote work and vacation days will also be important and even negotiated with management to retain talent. Remember, one size does not fit all. We need to look at individual needs and make sure that management is trained to listen well and look at those that report to them as one person first and part of the team second.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers shared in a recent survey that respondents plan to hire 14.7% new graduates in 2023 than they did the previous year. But there’s more. Generation Z has entered the workplace and may not have earned a four-year degree yet. Instead, they may want to enter the workplace, attend school online or nights/weekends. Companies and organizations will do well to consider this massive pool of 85 million young talented adults (and younger) or risk losing them to other organizations that understand the importance of post high school education flexibility when hiring 18-25-year-olds.
As I see it, armed with this information and knowledge, both employee and employer are better able to see new trends and decide what they are willing to pay, willing to accept as salary and if remote and hybrid work are a good organizational fit (note: tech and finance are already insisting on in-office work forcing staff to decide if they want to stay or look for work elsewhere).
Watching you is also a 2023 activity that will continue to grow as remote work continues. This means monitoring software will allow companies to watch your work, when you work and how much you work. A fair trade off that covers everyone and make organizations feel that they have control. AKA productivity paranoia will continue to be in place and grow as more companies pay big bucks to install this. Yes, we hired you, vetted you, but trust, well, that another discussion!
Hey, I know how much money I make, but not necessarily what is it based on? How your job is rewarded will help you gain clarity and communications regarding how you are paid. Pay transparency is going to be discussed more in 2023 and will create openness, tension, better pay equity between men and women. Employees will benefit from better information that mirrors pay transparency laws put in place to that directly affect 20% of U.S. workers and this number is growing. People share. People talk. We’ll know more and be better able to justify our salary, negotiate if needed and make important career decisions.
2023 is upon us. The workplace is adjusting, continuing to adapt to change and is focused on increasing employee retention in a myriad of ways that can grow business, strengthen communications and level up DEI initiatives. I remain optimistic and think this year is going to be a good one!
Shared your thoughts and comments about your view of 2023.
