While the Internet has allowed employees to collaborate remotely, while developments in artificial intelligence have prompted more automation in the workplace. How will these trends influence the workplace in 2017? Here are four key trends to stay on watch out for in 2017.
1. Automation will take over, but employees might keep their jobs
According to Glassdoor, the ongoing fear that automation will render many people jobless appears to be unlikely. Roles most likely to be affected by automation will be routine jobs that do not require much creative judgement or flexibility.
For example, these would be jobs that involve answering generic emails or scheduling meetings. To counter this, workers need to develop skills that are complementary to technologically advance, instead of working on the same tasks that machines could perform one day and be able to automate.
This is currently happening in Singapore where Robotic Process Automation (RPA) – the practice of using software to automate structured workflow is being implemented at the enterprise level. While humans would still be needed, the incoming trend is that business tasks will become increasingly codified.
2. HR will transform with the help of big data
HR will transform into “people science,” owing to the rise of big data. Thanks to all the data gleaned from staff and customer base, businesses will be able to make better decisions, have faster turnaround times on projects and cater better to customers.
These could include being able to track an employee’s progression stages throughout their journey with an enterprise, from onboarding to annual reviews. Being able to gather real-time feedback from staff is also another way to foster and retain happy workers.
See: Key Insights into Technology Trends Shaping the Modern Global Workplace
3. Employee Wellbeing will become a key priority
Improving the wellbeing of employees has been increasing in importance over the past few years. Studies show that cultivating good company culture, developing an attractive work environment and investing in the professional future of employees leads to more productivity, engagement and retention.
The Compass Index, an annual survey of 1,200 workers across Asia Pacific showed that 65.3 percent workers in China consider “career development” as the key motivator in their role, which further indicates that upward mobility is one of their top priorities. In Hong Kong, where a mix of C-suites and managers were surveyed, “work environment” was considered by 29 percent as the most important element at work, while “career development” came in at 26 percent.
4. Workers will look beyond compensation for satisfaction
Despite compensation being important to surveyed workers, high pay doesn’t move the meter much in terms of employee satisfaction. In its employer review survey, Glassdoor notes that “culture and values” were the number one important factor for respondents.
Today’s workers appear to be looking for more than just a paycheck, they want a place of work that resonates with their values. Compensation still carries weight though, as it is an indicator of opportunity for upward mobility at a company.
The Compass Index shows that surveyed workers are optimistic when it comes to their pay raise expectations. Respondents in the Philippines (65.6 percent), Hong Kong (43 percent), Singapore (38.8 percent) and Australia (34.4 percent) all replied hopefully when prompted for their thoughts on increased compensation this year.
Also read: Unveiling the Top 3 Human Capital Trends for 2017
