These Are the Workplace Trends That Give Us Hope

​The workplace has changed significantly over the past few years—and the good news is that it’s become more employee-friendly. In order to attract the talent they need, employers have started to think about their employees in a different way. As a result, they’re focused on creating a better workplace experience, according to Fast Company. Here are six positive workplace trends that give us hope:

1. A better work-life balance:
   Employees are no longer expected to answer their emails after leaving work for the day or to habitually work overtime in the evenings. Employers have realized that they get higher output and better quality work when the always-on mentality is replaced by one that emphasizes a good work-life balance. In fact, organizations that offer flexible work arrangements and unlimited PTO understand that happy employees are more likely to be motivated, creative, and accountable. 
   
   
2. More flexible work arrangements:
   Thanks to Telemeeting apps like Zoom and Google Meet, as well as collaboration software like Slack and Microsoft Teams, employees no longer have to be in the office all of the time. This provides them with more flexibility in terms of both location and hours—plus, it helps reduce stress and frustration caused by long commutes.
   
   
3. Pay transparency:
   A growing number of hiring managers are sharing salary ranges with job applicants, and many more are planning to do so over the next five years. Interestingly, when there’s a transparent, objective formula for salary, promotions, and raises, it helps companies establish a more equitable workplace.
   
   
4. More focus on diversity and inclusion:
   Diverse teams are more creative and productive—and that helps companies’ bottom lines. It’s no surprise then that businesses have started to recruit more diverse workforces and adapt their retention efforts to bolster inclusivity in the workplace.
   
   
5. More emphasis on skills:
   There’s been a shift from past experience to skills—both skills that a worker already possesses and abilities that they can learn. And with the rapid advancements in technology, employers are also looking for talent with technical and soft skills who can be trained to fill more advanced positions.
   
   
6. Work with a purpose:
   Employees want their work to be meaningful and contribute to the greater good. In fact, 90 percent of career professionals would take a pay cut of 23 percent in order to have work that’s always meaningful, according to a BetterUp Labs survey. In addition, people who find their work meaningful also report being more satisfied at work.
   
   

In general, there’s been a shift in attitude regarding work. Instead of seeing the workplace as something that’s determined completely by the employer, it’s now also shaped by the preferences and needs of the employee. And that in turn, can contribute to happier workers, more creative and productive teams, and an increased bottom line.