As the old adage says, ‘change is the only constant thing.’
The world is constantly changing at a rapid pace, with innovative advances of information and technology allowing business leaders to discover and develop new methods to expand their business. As 2018 is here, it is time for employers to evaluate the effectiveness of the business strategy they implemented last year, then compile a draft plan of what they need to improve to achieve better outcomes this year.
Globalisation and technological advances will continue to reshape the modern working landscape and bring new workplace trends that will dominate the business world. Just like human civilisation, the workplace is undergoing a continuous evolution. The existence of the internet and sophisticated technology such as wearables and AI (artificial intelligence) do not only change the way employees do their jobs, but also change their expectations and viewpoint towards their jobs.
The ability to adapt and stay on top of the latest workplace trends is a must-have value if you want to retain your top performers while attracting potential talents to your organisation. Below, we share top 5 workplace trends you should embrace in 2018:
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Actively engaged and passionate employees are the lifeblood of highly performing company. No wonder, employee engagement strategy should be one of your top concerns to focus on this year. Among the methods to ensure that your employees are happy at work is by improving employee experience.
Instead of just expecting them to give their best for the sake of company’s success, you should understand that the key to employee’s high productivity is to create a pleasant working environment for them. Take a look and evaluate your current company culture, such as how your employees interact, how the communication between management and employees is run, as well as how the rewards for work achievement are given. After that, look for any loopholes or deficiencies that leave room for improvement, such that you can fix it and create better employee experience.
For one and another reasons, more employees are seeking for flexible work arrangements that offers them the option to work remotely. Given that modern technology such as video calls and teleconferences has made it stress-free for us to do remote work, it becomes easier for companies to allow their employees to work from home. Not only does it save time to avoid traffic jam during commute, such flexible perk will also help you hire the best talent for the job from different parts of the world without having to be constrained by geography.
Data will change everything, including the way your HR department manages the workforce. AI and machine learning will help you deal with time-consuming administrative tasks such as sorting candidates’ resumes or setting up an interview and test schedule. Not only that, the data collected on AI can be processed to make important strategic decisions that will directly bring impact on employee’s life.
Amidst today’s talent crunch, top talents have higher bargaining power and demands when they are looking for a job. To bring in the best candidates to your team, sometimes you have to put aside financial considerations and be more generous in providing employee benefits package. You should prioritise human-centered benefits that will not only help them do the job more efficiently, but also help them to have healthier lives and improve their wellbeings. For example, you can provide health insurance, gym voucher, yoga class after work, or even free nutritional-balance lunch at the office canteen.
High job demands and fast-paced lifestyles are among the most common reasons behind employee’s burnout and anxiety. On one hand, the existence of internet has made it easier to conduct work-related communication. However, such electronic devices also makes it difficult for us to get away from work even when we are not in the office. In this case, the boundary between personal and professional time becomes blur, which then results in the absence of work-life balance.
To address this issue, it is time for leaders to support for more work-life balance. Encourage your employees to leave their private matters when they are at work, and vice versa when they are at home, they have to leave everything related to work as well. Additionally, you should also lead by example by being professional, for example by coming and leaving the office on time.
Read also: Best 5 Recruiting Tools for HR Managers In 2018
