.jpg)
The world of work has undergone seismic shifts in recent years, and there is no sign that the changes will slow down. By 2034, millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha will comprise 80% of the workforce.
HR professionals have already seen that younger generations of employees have different needs, desires, and demands. And since 44% of HR leaders cite talent acquisition as their most common challenge, it’s clear that organizations must adapt in order to attract these workers.
Many hiring managers and business leaders are asking how to do this when the workforce seems to be shifting at the speed of light. To stay ahead of competitors and attract top talent, forward-looking business leaders must understand what employees need now and what they'll be looking for in the coming years.
Find out what you need to know about the future of work and how you can shape the employee experience to acquire talent, improve job satisfaction, and encourage employee engagement in the modern workplace.
Why does employee experience matter in the workplace?
One thing is certain: Gen Z has been quite vocal about what they need in the workplace. Many new workers are not afraid to provide robust employee feedback to their employers. They’re also not afraid to make their preferences known before even applying for a job.
Why does this matter to hiring professionals? In a tight labor market, employers are starting to get the message. If they want to attract and retain top talent, they must be willing to give something in return. In many cases, that means reshaping the modern office.
With an eye toward the future, many employers have begun to focus heavily on the employee experience. They pay attention to what candidates and employees see, hear, think, and feel about the company. These day-to-day experiences and trends have a significant impact on:
- Employee satisfaction
- Engagement
- Loyalty
- Productivity
- Performance
In turn, these elements can determine business success.
1. Remote and hybrid work 💻
In late 2024, analytics and advisory firm Gallup published research indicating that just over one-quarter of the current U.S. workforce with remote-capable jobs were working exclusively remotely. About 55% were hybrid workers and in the office only part-time.
While many CEOs have called for employees to return to the office in recent years, it seems that remote and hybrid work models are here to stay. If you're leading a workforce, you need to know how this trend will impact your company. For many, it means rethinking how corporate culture is built.
For many years, Gallup defined organizational culture as "how we do things around here." What happens when "here" is now spread across the globe? Face-to-face culture is now being recreated through virtual team-building experiences. These experiences are helping leaders:
- Provide training
- Foster inclusivity and camaraderie
- Ensure productivity
- Promote employee well-being
With team-building activities from Confetti, you can build a positive and productive culture in your remote workforce.
2. Moving toward AI and automation 🤖
Artificial intelligence is expanding at an unprecedented pace. In some ways, this is a positive trend: Using AI in innovative ways can increase productivity among your employees. It can also drive innovation and help your business maintain a competitive advantage in the market.
In hiring and HR, for example, AI can tackle operational challenges by automating routine tasks like onboarding paperwork, data entry, and knowledge base generation.
The most advanced artificial intelligence tools can now help with recruiting, conduct interviews, and track employee sentiment. In terms of shaping the employee experience and enhancing employee satisfaction, an AI tool can be configured so that it supports employees with immediate feedback and timely and personalized training. In turn, this can lead to higher job satisfaction and more engaged employees.
Strategically adapting AI tools can make workflows and HR processes more efficient. With increased efficiency comes new opportunities to leave low-level tasks behind and focus more on the strategic work that drives results.
3. The skills-based hiring takeover 🧠
According to recent reports, as many as one-third of companies are leaving behind degree requirements for salaried jobs in favor of skills-based hiring. These companies recognize the value that candidates without degrees bring to the table and have widened their talent pools to access the 62% of U.S. employees who don't currently have college degrees.
When adapting to this trend, business leaders need new ways to ensure their workforce has the skills they need to thrive and keep innovating. This is where digital learning platforms can be of service.
In the workforce of the future, these tools will provide businesses with a way to help employees quickly adapt their skills to changing needs without completing degree programs. Shaving years off of an employee's career trajectory can, in turn, help both them and the business accelerate faster.
4. Employee well-being and mental health 🧘
Today's workers worry a lot about employee burnout. Unfortunately, many companies now expect employees to do more with less, contributing to low morale and even lower retention rates. In a world where productivity is king, employees want to feel valued as people — not just for what they can do or produce for the business.
In the future, HR leaders will need to find ways to ensure employees can care for their own well-being. This may include strategies like increasing paid time off and offering free access to mindfulness apps.
Additionally, organizations must figure out how to encourage better work-life balance in the era of remote work, as it can be challenging for employees to fully unplug when the boundaries between work and home feel blurred.
5. Diversity, equity, and inclusion 🌎
Research shows that diversity is one of the most significant drivers of innovation across the board. The most diverse companies are 45% likelier to report growth in market share and 70% likelier to report capturing at least one new market.
In times past, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have been more about checking boxes than about making a tangible impact on employees and the company as a whole. In contrast, forward-looking leaders focus more on how these policies are making a difference in their employees' lives and helping them take the next step in achieving their career aspirations.
This means emphasizing equity in giving a diverse range of employees access to leadership positions. It also means preparing to navigate sociopolitical tensions surrounding DEI initiatives in the work environment.
DEI has the power to transform the modern workplace and the overall employee experience. However, it's crucial that you implement programs with strategy and sensitivity in mind.
6. Flexible working conditions to attract and retain talent 🤸
To facilitate greater employee well-being and work-life balance, flexible work options will be key. Potential employees want to know at the outset of the application process whether you offer remote work and flexible hours. Many are also seeking job-sharing opportunities that allow them to take on multiple roles in an area they're passionate about.
Technology will play a key role in your ability to offer this to employees. Cloud-based teleconferencing technology and training platforms, for example, will allow employees to better communicate, build trust, and remain productive as they enter the new era of work.
Let Confetti help you embrace the future of work
As the future of work becomes the new reality, Confetti is ready to deliver an exceptional employee experience. From virtual team-building activities to robust training, we can help you connect with job seekers, address skill gaps, and support employees throughout your distributed workforce.
Craft a corporate culture that will take your organization to the next level and beyond. Contact the Confetti team today to learn more about our DEI, wellness, and team-building experiences.
Want to learn more about this topic? Check out our webinar on the Future of Work featuring unique insights from HR experts.
