From remote work to AI and automation tools, the workplace experienced plenty of transformation in 2021. While the COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in shaping work environments, we can expect several shifts to continue into 2022, as employers continue to recognize the importance of workplace culture and the need for tools that protect it. With one in four people quitting their jobs this year during the height of what is called the “Great Resignation,” employers should take notice of what workplace trends are necessary to implement in 2022 to cultivate a work culture that is set up for success.
We’ve rounded up five trends from 2021 that we can expect to see continue to flourish as we move into 2022.
1. Increased demands will drive the need for new HR tools and services.
While certain frontline industries continued working on-site through the pandemic, many organizations abruptly shifted to a decentralized workplace. In fact, only 7% of employees worked completely remote prior to the onset of COVID-19, and by January 2021, 79% of full-time employees reported working remotely. Due to this massive shift from the traditional centralized workspace, HR teams and leadership were left to source different tools and resources to manage a dispersed staff and maintain a positive workplace culture. As we look to 2022, we can expect this continued shift to increase the need for tech-enabled HR solutions. HR departments and leadership want to ensure elements run smoothly, and they will look for tools that are able to meet the increased demands put on their teams.
2. Focusing on employee mental health is more than a benefit.
Understanding the benefits of emphasizing employee well-being, as well as negative effects of issues such as employee burnout and workplace stress is crucial for organizations. In fact, the World Health Organization added ‘burnout’ as an occupational phenomenon in 2019, which increased overall awareness of the issue. As we learned in 2021, organizations are compelled to do more than just acknowledge the issue. They must also act on it by investing money in employee well-being programs and initiatives, which will continue to be a top priority for HR leaders in 2022.
3. Workplace culture and DE&I initiatives are now top priorities and top investments.
“In 2022, companies will budget and approve greater spend on three key areas to attract talent, keep talent and create a better work environment for all: Culture, ESG and DE&I,” says Work Shield founder and CEO Jared Pope.
With this investment in creating diverse and positive work cultures, employers want improved data and analytics that display a solid ROI. Organizations are being held accountable by shareholders, boards and governing entities to document their commitment to ESG, DE&I and mitigating toxicity in the workplace. Having access to critical data, as well as key trends for their organization, can be a valuable asset as organizations assess their workplace culture.
4. Success is in a combination of the human touch and technology.
Automation has many benefits, but human connection is key. In fact, a lack of connection causes a void in teams, and being heard extends beyond a chat-bot, email or even the beloved Zoom call. “Employees want easy-to-use, quick technology to raise an incident or issue, but they also want to know that someone (not something) is actually listening to them. It is in that moment that they can know and understand that their issue is truly heard, and that they will be ensured a clear path to resolution,” Pope continued.
5. Efficient, quick solutions are necessary to manage workplace issues.
With the many changes in the workplace during 2021, employers are interested in real-time data and analytics regarding workplace culture in order to quickly pivot and adapt to changing circumstances. Combining both the professional human touch with technology allows for an efficient resolution. This is especially important in a time of “cancel culture” where timely responses are crucial for an organization’s culture, reputation and bottom line.
“The days of taking 25-35 days to respond to a culture incident are over. If it is not handled within a week, ensure you have a good PR team to manage the fallout,” Pope emphasized.
As organizations learn to adapt to the changes presented in 2021, it’s imperative to quickly adopt new tools and technologies to ensure all employees are valued and heard as we head into 2022. Partnering with Work Shield will help your business stay on track with the latest workforce trends while creating a positive culture of trust where toxicity is not tolerated.
Travis Foster
Travis heads up Work Shield's legal department and is known to be something of a jack of all trades - he is an experienced entrepreneur, as well as an attorney with a mechanical engineering background who designed and managed projects in both the energy and public utilities industries. Travis also contributes his wealth of capital knowledge and growth strategies for businesses to the Work Shield and JKB Consulting Group team.
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