Top workplace trends for 2023
In 2023, some trends in the workplace will build on changes that began in previous years. Others are new workplace trends emerging due to economic, social and cultural factors. Here are the top 2023 workplace trends that may impact your business.
1. Hybrid work is likely to become the new norm
Even as offices reopen, many employees haven’t returned to fully on-site work, and data indicates many of them may never head to the office daily the way they used to. A 2022 Gallup Survey revealed steady growth in hybrid work arrangements, where employees split their time between home and the office. It found that 49% of remote-capable workers were engaging in hybrid work as of June, and 55% believed they would be following a hybrid schedule by late 2022 or early 2023.
Although hybrid work is on the rise, fully remote work is experiencing a slight decline. As of June, 3 in 10 remote-capable workers were fully remote, but only 2 in 10 believed they would be by early 2023. Surprisingly, employees are helping to drive this shift. Around 60% of respondents preferred hybrid working over fully remote and fully on-site scheduling, valuing the ability to work face-to-face with peers on a regular basis.
2. Increasing surveillance could be a controversial 2023 workplace trend
The shift to fully remote and hybrid work has made supervising employees more difficult. A recent survey conducted by ExpressVPN revealed that 74% of employers felt the move to remote work makes them feel less in control of their businesses, and 69% said they were uneasy about not being able to observe their employees in the workplace. These anxieties may lead employers to explore means of virtual employee surveillance, such as monitoring online chat and email messages and using AI-driven programs to track productivity. Nearly three-quarters of surveyed businesses already use some form of employee surveillance, and that number is likely to rise.
Although employee surveillance may give you peace of mind, you can’t ignore the potential negative impact on your team. Nearly half of employees would rather be paid less and not surveilled, and 56% said that knowing they’re being monitored or suspecting they are causes stress and anxiety. These findings point to a real need for businesses to strike a careful balance between collecting data on remote employee performance and maintaining employee morale.
Related: 11 Tips for Managing Remote Employees
3. Greater transparency likely to become the norm
On November 1, 2022, the NYC Human Rights Law requiring all businesses that operate in New York City to disclose the salary ranges for internal and external positions went into effect. To comply with the law, many large employers like Macy’s and Citigroup have posted salary ranges for positions nationwide, and other employers are likely to follow suit. This, combined with a tight labor market, will likely increase pressure on companies that don’t have a presence in New York City to disclose pay ranges. As a result, you can expect greater pay transparency to be one of the biggest 2023 workplace trends. This may naturally lead to a shrinking wage gap for women and minorities, as companies will now have to answer for disparities.
Read More: Pay Transparency: Benefits and Different Levels
4. The workweek will grow shorter at some companies
In September, news of a major UK study into the benefits of a 4-day week made headlines. Conducted by the nonprofit group 4 Day Work Week Global, the study revealed that employees were more productive working 4 days instead of 5 for the same amount of pay. The news has led to discussions about whether a shift to a shorter workweek may benefit both U.S. employers and employees.
A large number of U.S. employees express support for the idea. A survey conducted by Qualtrics revealed that 92% of respondents were in favor of their employers moving to a 4-day work week, and 81% said they would feel more loyal to their employers if they were given the option to work 4 days. With competition for attracting quality candidates running high, more employers are likely to give serious consideration to an abbreviated work week in 2023.
Read More: 4-Day Work Week Benefits
5. Companies will take more interest in mental well-being
Quiet quitting was a hotly debated topic in 2022, and research shows it was more than just a viral concept that spread on social media. A survey conducted by Gallup found that at least half of all people in the U.S. workforce are quiet quitters, those who do only their assigned job duties without going the extra mile.
The quiet quitting phenomenon is a wake-up call for employers. Many employees cite stress as a driving force behind disengagement. To curb quiet quitting, companies will need to do more to foster a positive work environment where every member of the team can feel relaxed and inspired to go above and beyond. This will likely make launching new mental health and wellness initiatives and expanding current programs key workplace trends in 2023.
Read More: Wellness at Work
6. Upskilling will be a priority
Even in the face of a potential recession, Indeed & Glassdoor’s Hiring and Workplace Trends Report 2023 found that a serious labor shortage remains in the United States and will likely continue to impact the workplace through 2023. Smaller pools of candidates and increased competition may mean many companies will need to turn inward to fill open positions, and upskilling is likely to become a top priority to prepare current employees to move up the ladder.
In 2023, companies may expand and create new tuition reimbursement programs to encourage employees to pursue advanced degrees and increase their hard technical skills. However, soft-skill development through employee coaching and mentoring will also be vital to help employees become better leaders. Not only can employers potentially benefit from a larger pool of internal candidates for job openings, but they may also see increases in worker retention as they invest more resources in employee development.
7. Company culture will become a deciding factor in the recruiting process
Another key finding of Indeed & Glassdoor’s Hiring and Workplace Trends Report 2023 is the growing importance of company culture. In a time when companies are vying to attract the highest-quality candidates, it’s more important than ever that they stand out. When compensation packages are comparable, employees are likely to reflect on which potential employer is a better match for their values and goals.
Moreover, corporate culture can become a key tool for employee retention. Because current team members are more likely to stay in a culture where they feel they belong, cultivating workplaces with a strong culture could lead to more opportunities to upskill and develop staying power in employees.
8. Sustainable initiatives to remain among the top ongoing trends in the workplace
In 2022, more than 25 weather disasters that led to costs of $1 billion or more occurred worldwide. From devastating Hurricane Ian to deadly heat waves in the United States and Europe, these disasters have made discussions of sustainability more urgent around the world.
Many companies have already launched sustainability initiatives and are striving to reach net-zero carbon emission goals over the decades to come. The increasing frequency of extreme weather occurrences puts more pressure on businesses to follow through with their pledges. As a result, a push for greener workplaces is likely to become a major workplace trend next year. You can expect more workplaces to institute green technologies, such as LED UVprinting and smart lighting and utility meters.
The push to become more sustainable may also contribute to other trends in the workplace. For example, hybrid work schedules and 4-day work weeks can help companies reduce energy usage to further their sustainability efforts.
