New Survey Confirms 2023 Was Chaos, Reveals Top Workforce Trends Of The Year

Among the numerous workplace buzzwords and trends that took off this year, such as coffee badging, a survey published by U.S. Dictionary suggests that the defining trend for employees in 2023 is “Chaotic Working.”  

The term was listed among other popular buzzwords and trends including “Shift Shock” and “Bare Minimum Mondays,” according to a report published by Business Manchester.  

Chaotic Working symbolizes today’s high-speed work environment, where employees constantly tackle a barrage of tasks. The completion of one task often leads to the immediate immergence of another. This type of workflow is said to have contributed to a chaotic, rule-bending workplace culture where employees are more inclined to focus on client demands rather than the disordered work environment that surrounds them. The term resonated with employees in the survey, and thus it was listed as the defining term of 2023.   

The term “Shift Shock” took second place on the list trendy buzzwords. Shift Shock reflects an individual’s initial expectation going into a new job versus the unexpected demands of the new position.   

“Bare Minimum Mondays” took the third spot on the list. It’s a term used by employees to define the slow start to their weekly routines. As The Daytona Beach News-Journal aptly puts it, “‘Bare Minimum Mondays’ is where ‘quiet quitting’ runs smack into, well, Monday.” 

Together with “Career Cushioning,” “Boomerang Employee,” and “Quiet Cutting,” the list suggests cultural changes in the workforce that tends to lean more towards flexible work environments. The popular terms define a workforce that’s becoming more adaptable, flexible, and geared towards stability in a fluctuating post-pandemic economy. 

Chaotic Working could drive companies to improve task management and focus on employee wellness, while Career Cushioning shows how many in the workforce are actively working to upskill and build networks in anticipation of dramatic changes in the labor market. Meanwhile, the emergence of “Boomerang Employees” suggests a relatively new approach to career trajectories — where returning to former employers has become increasingly common. 

In essence, these workplace trends signify more than temporary shifts; they reflect the workplace and forecast a 2024 where adaptability, lifelong learning, and resilience are increasingly valued for both employees and employers.