As the new year approaches, professionals everywhere dive into business analytics and look ahead with ideas on how to improve their workplace and make it more profitable and productive.
As a younger generation moves into the workforce and middle management positions are now being promoted, you’re bound to see a progressive way of thinking that encourages inclusivity across the board.
This could look like giving employees more flexible hours or introducing more collaborative technology. Nonetheless, staying on top of the current happenings is essential and vital to keeping your business relevant.
In this post, we’ll delve into some of the upcoming workplace trends in 2023 and why they will help create a more welcoming place where employers and employees alike are satisfied.
Accessibility
In 2023, you’ll see employees having more hybrid flexibility in their work schedule (e.g., working from home) and employers providing the technology to support it.
“Digital accessibility” is a word you’ve probably heard thrown around in the workplace, but what exactly does it mean? The definition of digital accessibility can be defined by Georgetown Law as “the inclusive practice of removing barriers that prevent interaction with, or access to websites, digital tools, and technologies, by people with disabilities.”
This means that employers put their best foot forward to provide technology for people who may live with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disabilities. Having electronic resources and products to support all types of employees will be more likely to benefit everyone and push for diversity and inclusion.
Inclusivity
With that being said, digital accessibility, in turn, creates an inclusive workplace.
A company that strives to be more inclusive supports its employees by helping make the expectations asked for on paper in the interview process a reality.
This may look different for everyone — with disabilities ranging from someone who uses a wheelchair to someone with ADHD. Whatever the case, supporting employees with diverse abilities can improve company morale and increase brand awareness.
Each person will feel acknowledged and valued for their contributions, being afforded the opportunity to grow in their confidence and advance just like everyone else.
Automation
Many forward-thinking companies are now beginning to take advantage of various workplace automation systems. This refers to the systems used to perform tasks without direct human input. These tasks are typically the more repetitive and mundane, but their automation frees up time in the workplace to be spent on more crucial tasks.
Many software applications exist that can reduce the time it takes to complete repetitive tasks that also happen to be prone to human error. Even the smallest of companies are finding “new ways” of working — for example, implementing voice command systems to help record notes.
Presenting these new opportunities can help everyone make the best use of their time and be productive in other valuable ways. Reducing mundane, repetitive tasks around the office is bound to reduce employee frustrations and create a more high-yielding environment.
Sustainability
Sustainability is clearly on the rise, but you can expect to see even more businesses finding ways to decrease their environmental footprint this coming year. Many workplaces are now offering eco-friendly products and increasing recycling efforts.
Businesses are making strides from going paperless to working with more sustainable vendors and finding alternative energy sources. For example, many are utilizing cloud computing to fuel day-to-day operations and reduce energy usage. Making these sustainability efforts doesn’t just reduce costs and increase revenue, but it also makes your business more appealing to prospects of all kinds.
A unique trend that workplaces are picking up on across the globe is the idea of community gardening. Community gardens allow employees to grow local fruits and vegetables on company property — whether it be a rooftop garden or raised beds out back near a sitting area. Since all employees can have the opportunity to chip in on efforts like watering and weeding, everyone can feel a sense of inclusiveness and a common goal of making the world a greener place.
Culture
Finally, workplace culture is going to be the key to success in 2023. With more inclusive leaders come more diverse talents from all backgrounds.
However, with great expectations comes great responsibility, meaning that a company has to stay abreast of evolving tech trends to support a multicultural environment. You also must keep up with the networking and collaboration to go along with this diverse culture.
This means that leaders should think outside of the box to bring their employees together to increase team spirit and, in turn, productivity. Coming together with a like-minded purpose and creating positive employee experiences are going to be increasingly rooted in everyday workplace activities.
Participating in and scheduling regular one-on-one meetings, recognizing and rewarding valuable contributions, and providing a flexible work-life balance are just the start to helping employers and employees know each other on a more personal level.
How Will Your Workplace Evolve in 2023?
As you can see, many workplace trends are coming our way this new year, with many big companies already hitting the ground running in several of these areas.
You may not be able to implement each trend overnight. Still, we encourage you to start somewhere — whether that be making the technology in your office accessible and user-friendly or simply changing the paper products in the kitchen to a more sustainable option.
In the end, everyone in the workplace will benefit from a little reformation from time to time, so get creative, talk to your team, and make your workplace dreams a reality starting this new year.