4 HR Trends for 2023

What does 2023 have in store for the workforce? Here are 4 trends to look out for:  

1. Homelike workspaces 

The widespread shift to remote work – and employers’ subsequent attempts to bring people back to the office – has led to a design rethink. 

Expect to see more homelike or coffee shop settings with features such as plants, couches and soft seating arrangements. Workspaces will also allow people to work from different areas – for example, at a desk, at a shared table, or even outdoors – in much the same way as they would at home. 

2. Metaverse adoption 

One of the greatest potential uses for the metaverse is its ability to onboard, train, and upskill people. Therefore, it’s expected that HR will be an early adopter of the technology. 

In a PwC survey, 82% of respondents expect the metaverse to be part of their business activities within three years, with onboarding and training expected to be its biggest use.  

3. A clampdown on remote work? 

Some experts think there may be a clampdown on remote work in 2023 – especially if there’s a recession. This is because employees want to “be seen” in the office and help ensure job stability. 

However, remote work can help companies save money by reducing real estate costs. If a recession does occur, more firms may choose to cull their office space rather than their people. 

A lot has changed since the onset of the pandemic and remote work is now widely accepted. Either way, workers with experience and in-demand skills will continue to have the upper hand. 

4. Quiet hiring 

The latest ‘quiet’ buzzword is ‘quiet hiring’, which may replace ‘quiet quitting’ in 2023. 

Quiet quitting is based on the idea that workers are doing the bare minimum, rather than going above and beyond. This is often associated with unhappiness in their work environment. 

In contrast, quiet hiring rewards those people who do go above and beyond by giving them better job opportunities and promotions. 

This internal mobility could become a trend in 2023, especially for companies that struggle to recruit new talent.