Workplaces have changed since 2020. Mainly driven by the need to be remote during the Covid pandemic, more people are continuing to work from home and organisations are still experimenting with hybrid working, trying to get the balance right.
Researchers at Microsoft and from around the world have been pulling together research to address the new challenges brought by the move away from offices, summarised in the Future of Work Report.
Last month we took a deeper dive into the report’s findings, starting with the impact of hybrid working on individuals and teams. This time we focus on what the report says about organisations and society. Here are three areas that could be critical to the future of your business.
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Opportunities from New Technology
Tech developments are rapidly improving work and as well as smoothing the issues with virtual working, they offer a way to encourage staff back to the office.
Augmented and virtual reality means businesses can offer ways to test new ideas and help with more effective and inclusive meetings. People can even start to experiment with radical changes like remotely monitoring pets who’ve become used to their owners being around the house more often.
However, the advantages of technological advances that support and enhance remote working should be balanced with privacy, especially around data and recording video sessions.
This is an evolving area, and one that business owners should stay curious about. Here are seven technologies to watch that will help remote work, summed up by Technopedia.
Relationships between Departments and People
Communication
One issue for business owners, leaders and managers is that communication in workplaces has become more siloed with increased remote working. There may be more intense connections within teams, but weaker connections across teams.
Building and maintaining relationships is harder remotely, especially between ‘weak ties’. As some theorists maintain that weak ties are where new information, innovation and diversity of thought come from, this could be a problem for organisations.
Loneliness
Workplace loneliness was a problem before the pandemic and continues to be one now with 59% of hybrid employees and 56% of remote employees saying they have fewer work ‘friendships’ since going remote (Microsoft WTI 2022).
Getting staff together
Some in-office days can help with both of these issues. Team lunches and socials might also work for you along with technology and systems that encourage people to talk together informally across the day.
In-person training at different venues can also help get people together as a group and can be effective for team bonding even when the training is shared with other organisations. VIP away days for the team at external conferencing centres also help teams build stronger connections.
The Importance of Looking Outward
Organisations will need to be prepared for ongoing disruptions beyond the pandemic. The report suggests that businesses would be wise to build in an ability to adapt and strengthen resilience, as the upheaval we’ve seen in the last few years may not be as unusual moving forward.
As well as preparing for the future and reacting to what’s happening around us, it could also be worth thinking about the role your organisation plays in society. Many workplaces are already connected to their communities and employees are placing increased importance on employers contributing to society, be it through giving to charity or reducing their environmental impact.
There is much to learn about the post-Covid work era. Microsoft’s report provides some answers but also raises questions. Will home working change the way people use office space? What can AI offer and how can hybrid work be more inclusive?
The future of work is uncertain, but full of opportunities the report maintains.
View the full Future of Work Report 2022 from Microsoft – Click Here.
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At Enjoy Benefits, we have great experience in helping companies of all sizes introduce benefits that are suitable for their workplace.
Benefits are easy to set up and ongoing administration is then run through a hub, allowing employees to manage their own benefits while the employer can see which benefits are proving popular and what level of take-up each has had.
If you would like an obligation-free chat to discuss which benefits might work for your business and your employees, please contact us by calling 0800 088 7315 or using our Contact Form.
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