Top 4 Workplace Trends To Expect In 2022

Embrace the lessons learned and adapt to the changing landscape of work

It goes without saying that the last 24 months have fundamentally changed the way we work. Despite some expectations, working from home did not have a negative impact on productivity. On the contrary, employees learned to work in a completely different way – they adapted, collaborated and innovated, and in many cases, production increased. As a result, remote and hybrid working are here to stay. 
 

As companies formalize their new work environments and continue adopting new practices amid the ongoing pandemic, several key trends will emerge in 2022: 

Flexibility Will be Paramount

Employers have had to be flexible since the start of the pandemic. While in some ways the dust is starting to settle, we’re still navigating the uncertainty that comes with new and potential future variants. Additionally, companies around the globe are facing labor shortages. To regain their footing, companies need to embrace what has become table stakes for employees and that is making flexibility the new norm. 

At Voya, a portion of our employees has always worked remotely. Today, more than 95% of our employees are either full-time remote or hybrid. While the majority of our workforce has evolved to remote or hybrid, our employee engagement and satisfaction scores have reached all-time highs, in large part to our commitment to flexibility and employee feedback.

While many companies are transitioning to a hybrid work model, that doesn’t necessarily mean that hybrid is synonymous with flexibility. Employees working from home can’t compartmentalize their work and personal lives – those lines are forever blurred. Embracing flexibility will mean taking a more human-focused approach, understanding that everyone works differently and exhibiting empathy when personal issues arise during the workday. 

Work styles and work preferences are different for everyone and there won’t be one-size-fits all. Many companies, including Voya, are allowing hybrid employees the flexibility to choose which days they want to be in the office. The companies that will survive and thrive, will put their employees first and be flexible and open to what works best for them.

Less Space Is More

In the new working model, work is no longer a place you go, it’s what you do. With the shift to remote and hybrid working, companies are scaling back their real estate footprint to reduce costs. They’re being purposeful about the office space they’ll maintain to provide a better employee experience. Gone are the days when employees would go to the office, sit in a cubicle for the day with little interaction with others and then return home. Offices are transforming to be a place that fosters creativity, collaboration and connectivity.   

An Increased Focus on Health and Well-being 

When companies transitioned to remote working, a common misconception was that remote workers don’t have as much accountability and productivity would suffer. Ironically, many companies have experienced the opposite. Employees have a hard time powering off and unplugging from the workday in a remote environment. And, many remote employees are sharing workspace with spouses or partners, while parents are juggling childcare responsibilities, which can take a toll on mental health.

According to the U.S. Labor Department, a record 4.3 million workers left their jobs in August. One of the ways companies can combat the labor shortage and stem the tide of departures is a greater focus on employee health and well-being. Expect more companies to be bolstering their benefits to provide access to counseling and mental health resources and other wellness initiatives to help employees prioritize their health.  

Connecting with Purpose

As a result of the pandemic and the racial and social unrest we witnessed in 2020, companies have been self-reflecting – looking in the mirror and asking, what are we doing to bring about change, not just in the business community, but within the world at large?

At Voya, we were certainly doing that. We were also asking, what is our “why” and what void would exist if we, as an organization, were not here? 

Following months of work with our leaders and with feedback from our employees, we finalized our purpose statement, which is “Together we fight for everyone’s opportunity for a better financial future.” 

Just as companies are defining their “why,” employees are doing the same. They want to feel connected to their work, their company and each other. Individualism has been replaced with a need to be part of something bigger. Hence, employees are seeking out purpose-driven organizations. 

The companies that will have an edge are those whose purpose statements not only serve as a blueprint for strategic decision-making, but also underpin the company culture and serve as a rallying cry that unites employees behind a common goal.  

As we embark on 2022, a successful future requires a willingness to embrace both the lessons learned over the last two years and the need to continue adapting to an ever-changing landscape. These trends incorporate those lessons, while enabling leaders to be intentional in their efforts to create a culture where employees in our new world can thrive.

Kevin Silva is Chief Human Resources Officer at Voya Financial. Connect Kevin Silva