2020 is quite literally around the corner. We will soon be in a new decade. There was never really an agreement on what to call the past decade (Teens? Tens?), but now we can look forward to the Roaring 20s once again. As we step into the new year and new decade, here’s some of our work trend predictions for 2020.
FLEXIBLE WORKING
A bit of a cheat here, as flexible working has been gaining traction for some time now, but 2020 is predicted to see an even bigger rise than before as the concept continues to make its way across the world. The regular, rigid 9 to 5 can often cause problems, and there’s an increasing demand from employers to give their workers more flexibility, particularly for those with who need to access healthcare regularly or have children. Remote working is also expected to pick up, for more or less the same reasons.
Flexible working allows anyone to put in their regular forty hours when it’s convenient for them. Flexible working can also mean the introduction of the 4 day work week – something that has been gaining political traction and ruffling feathers for some time, but has yet to come to fruition in most places.
CHANGING ENVIRONMENTS
More of Generation Z, and some of the younger millennials, will also be starting their careers, which will in turn have an impact on office life. Nowadays, young people are expecting more out of their work than their older counterparts. It’s not enough to have a job where you get your head down and work. Nowadays, the kids want more fulfilment out of their careers, and for companies to share the same vision, along with a strong work culture and flexible and remote benefits. The actual look and feel of an office is also becoming much more important when searching for a job. So companies really need to wake up and smell the coffee, and reassess what they can offer to the younger workforce. From a more inclusive, engaging environment, right down to the office interior, it’s predicted that the regular office is going to get a bit of a facelift in 2020.
MENTAL HEALTH
As mental health issues come ever more into desperately needed focus, it’s a fair assumption to make that workplaces will need to find more ways of becoming accommodating for this, especially as the need for understanding and care for people with mental health issues rises. From allowing mental health days, to work from home days, and providing a stronger support network for when things go south, employers will need to step up and be more inclusive of their workers who are struggling.
We’re excited to see what 2020 has in store for working and for Spaces, and we wish you a very Happy New Year.
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