5 Workplace Trends in 2022

This is a historical overview of five workplace trends discussed in 2022. Dated later research provides retrospective evidence, not a current-year forecast.

‍Flexible Workspace

During the pandemic, some employees were forced to work from home; preferences and job suitability vary.

Companies Perspective 

Companies can choose to go entirely remote or combine some days in the office with some days working from home. In the future, the way businesses use office space may alter. While the hybrid approach may increase productivity, it may also assist employees in finding the right balance between work and life. Additionally, this may lessen stress and burnout, depending on tasks, coverage, preferences and coordination. Companies may achieve a healthy mix between collaboration and creativity.

Hybrid work gained ground in 2022, according to Statistics Canada's archived January 2024 research.

This article historically promoted one platform that brings scheduling and team collaboration to your palms. The current homepage focuses on AI recruiting assistance; confirm present product fit.

Virtual Communication

Virtual team communication has become integral while working from home and supports remote coordination. Maintaining a connection with your team has become difficult, and technology advancements have influenced how collaboration, engagement, and communication have altered.

Companies Perspective

In 2022, you effectively needed to start sharing your work in digital tools, making your progress visible. Although many tools are available, it is crucial to use the one that best meets the needs of your employees and organization. While synchronous and asynchronous communication is used in businesses, use live discussion for decisions needing exchange and written updates for progress sharing. Agree coverage and response expectations.

Focus on Employee Wellness

The past year has demonstrated the importance of maintaining physical and mental health; we have witnessed enormous developments impacting every industry. Supporting employees' mental health matters. Workplace obligations and expectations can be a cause of stress for individuals.

Companies Perspective

Companies must adhere to a culture that values employees' mental and physical well-being. Wellness provision varies. Employees who are happy and healthy can create an enjoyable environment to work with. WHO recommends organizational interventions and manager training. Address workload, job control, harassment and support; perks are no substitute.

Some companies have increased the wellness services that they provide to their employees. Some offer mindful training, while others offer healthcare packages that include mental health. These companies now emphasize work-life balance and mental health as one of their goals. For example, ask: “What workload or support changes would help you?”

Digital Tools

Due to the pandemic, the shift to a digital workplace increased the value of learning and gaining knowledge for knowing basics in software skills, which has created advancements in the digitalization of how companies run.

Companies Perspective

Complete remote or hybrid companies need digital tools to connect and collaborate. Here are the following:

• Collaboration tools, an important element in the modern workspace, can support shared updates. 
• Creating a reliable way for employees to accomplish their tasks through shared task lists may save time. 

The digital workspace focuses on giving access to user-friendly tools that can make working remotely and hybrid easier. Modern technology may improve the workspace, and tools like Microsoft Teams and Slack are examples to evaluate. Check access, permissions, accessibility and user support. 

Digital tools help organize the work calendars of employees. Seeing the team's availability and who is in the office each day is a general tool need, not a verified current Litespace feature. 

Book your space with desk booking when you visit your office using a suitable tool; do not assume current Litespace support. 

Four-Day Work Week

The traditional five-day workweek remains part of the modern workplace. The five-day workweek is a fantastic example that has been used for years. However, digital transformation and technological developments do not alone justify shorter work hours. A shorter work week may be effective, but not for every employer. The transition may have beneficial effects on productivity and well-being.

Companies Perspective

Companies seek to investigate innovative working methods, rethink work, and prioritize team wellness. A four-day workweek may provide a more flexible work schedule. A few companies have already tried this new work model, with reported benefits. 

Cambridge's February 2023 report covers a voluntary UK pilot at 61 organizations, June–December 2022: fewer weekly hours with unchanged pay, not the same hours compressed into four days. Reported benefits in well-being and retention were accompanied by some staff's concerns about intensifying workloads and reduced informal interaction. The pilot included two months of preparation, work redesign and varied schedules, including staggered coverage.

• Depending on the industry and their work, businesses might not adopt the four-day work model, but work hours could be reduced. Review a pilot's service/on-site coverage, workload, output and quality, employee experience and costs; then continue, adapt or stop it.
• While adapting to new changes and trends might be challenging, long-term solutions may emerge. Evaluate automation and digitalization changes rather than assuming them. 
• These workplace trends may offer opportunities for employees and employers where suitable.

This article's historical invitation was: Litespace will help you succeed. Confirm present fit; this is not a success guarantee.

Key Learnings

Some employees worked from home due to the pandemic; flexibility was one of five 2022 themes to evaluate. A remote team can benefit from effective virtual team communication, and technological improvements have revolutionized communication, engagement, and cooperation. Support mental health at work, as job demands can be stressful. The transition to a digital workplace has raised the value of education and knowledge acquisition, resulting in advances in digitalization. A shorter week is an option where coverage and work design permit.