Workplace Trends for 2021

Mental Health

When employees suffer workplace stress they often turn towards technology before people for support. Behaviour that is on the rise, due to many now working from home, unable to access traditional methods of support. To facilitate this, businesses will need to explore wellness technology apps like Headspace and Calm.

Work Flexibility

As working from home becomes the new norm, employees will expect employers to give them more flexible work hours, or a hybrid work approach where they come into the office for a few days, and work remotely the rest.

Decentralisation

Employees will be keen to relocate as part of their remote working arrangements, to take advantage of reduced travel costs and housing prices in outer suburbs. As a result, there will be more pressure on companies to explore a decentralised workplace.

Health and Safety

Due to the pandemic, job seekers will evaluate job offers by the safety of the work environment, over opportunities like professional growth. Employees will expect companies to keep their facilities clean and maintain safe working conditions.

Re-skilling

Covid-19 has disrupted the global economy, causing the skills gap to widen. In 2021, retraining and upskilling workers will become even more desirable for employees, as business markets continue to shift and investments in new technology and automation grows.

Digital Transformation

Covid-19 has led to years’ worth of digital transformation in just months. While there has been a resistance to these technologies in the past, employees will be expecting companies to adapt and implement digital strategies faster than ever before.

The Casual Workforce

Before Covid, casual workers were seen as somewhat disposable. Now, these workers are seen as necessary for cities to run. As we move into 2021, casual workers will expect to be treated more like full-time workers in terms of benefits and the value added to the business.