The future won’t exactly be a return to normalcy, but it also won’t look like 2020. The changes industries have undergone over the past year will still remain prevalent far into the future, particular in terms of the workplace.
While it is still unclear which aspects the global workforce will carry moving forward, we can predict what the future of work won’t look like.
Although many companies have recently shifted to a fully remote workforce, employees have expressed the desire to come back into the office for socialization and mental health benefits.
That’s why it is likely that organizations will lean into a more hybrid approach moving forward, allowing employees a chance to work both from home and in the office.
Additionally, while discussions about diversity and inclusion came to the forefront in 2020, the conversation is here to stay and will not be addressed simply by making donations. Long-term commitments and investments will be necessary to instill real change.
“Now, more than ever, it is about considering the diversity dimension in every business decision,” said John Renfro, former CHRO of Disney and HP. “How is it valuable for product, for design? How can diversity help you compete and win in the marketplace?”
Politics was once seen as a topic to avoid in the workplace, but ignoring the reality of our polarized society is no longer feasible.
Companies need to understand that the line between personal identity and work identity are blurred, and it is the responsibility of business leaders to understand and listen to their employees point of view.
