10 Remote Work Trends You Should Expect in 2023
Updated: 12 January 2023
The remote work trends for 2020 showed how the pandemic brought a major upheaval in the economy as businesses adjusted to a remote working environment. Presently, trends continue to emerge as most employees find normalcy in telecommuting. 2023 brings a whole new roster of work-from-home trends we need to meet head-on. Take a look at these trends for 2023 and the future of remote work:
1. More attention to employee happiness and well-being
Employers have noticed a growth in employee contentment and loyalty as flexible work setups become more widely accepted and practiced. A study showed that remote employees excel due to more flexibility, less office distraction, and better control over home life.
Still, remote workers might suffer due to the lack of a sense of belonging at work. Burnout and other mental health issues will also be key factors for leaving work. This is why a lot of employers and corporations are now focusing on their employee’s mental health. The demand for healthcare will surely rise in 2023 and beyond.
2. High demand for conferencing services
Because remote employees have fewer in-person interactions, companies engage all their staff online through large conference calls. A reliable and innovative conferencing provider can transform the home office experience–making it feel more like an office setup and allowing employees to easily communicate with their coworkers.
3. More inclusive practices in recruiting
Virtual interviews and onboarding will also become the best recruiting practice in the corporate world. The benefits of remote work have allowed recruiters and HR professionals to prefer and advocate for online interviews and remote onboarding processes.
This will also lead to an improvement when it comes to diversity and inclusion in recruiting. Remote work has shown us that it is possible to function and do exceptional work anywhere in the world. HR professionals will start to see the significance of hiring talented people of all abilities regardless of their location, implementing inclusive processes and policies, and more.
4. Hybrid work model as a compromise
A combination of on-site and remote work will continue to be a priority and a norm. Many employees prefer a remote setup, while others might want to return to their offices. As a result, many businesses have implemented a hybrid approach to offer flexibility to employees. This arrangement also contributes to health and safety as it lessens the staff’s probability of getting exposed to Covid-19.
5. The heightened need for cybersecurity
Cisco’s Future of Secure Remote Work Report showed that 85% of respondents believe cybersecurity is more important today than ever before. Cybersecurity will be an even higher priority so anticipate tremendous investment in securing IT infrastructure. Employers will also see the need to increase awareness and attention of their employees when it comes to cybersecurity, no matter the department they are in.
6. Revision of company policies and employee evaluation
Since remote work options are more likely to stay, companies need to determine how to support this setup for the long term. Many firms that have begun embracing remote working opportunities are applying new policies such as covering internet costs, providing equipment for employees, and altering employee benefits.
Human resource departments will also need to reconsider their performance evaluation practices. Meanwhile, managers and supervisors might feel the need to track employee productivity. A recent survey by Digital.com found that 60% of companies are using monitoring software to track the activity and productivity of their remote employees. All of which can affect employee routines and performance evaluations.
7. Upskilling and reskilling of employees
The abrupt shift to working from home heightened the need for upskilling. Nearly 54% of employees around the world should have learned new skills in 2022. Employees need to hone the skill sets that will help them adjust faster to the latest changes caused by the pandemic.
It’s also worth noting that studies show that 94% of workers would stay with their company if it helped them update their skills and invest in their careers. Gen Z and millennial employees, in particular, consider this a crucial factor in their employment and retention.
8. More work opportunities and freelance work
The high demand for remote jobs also led to the rise of remote freelance work, with millions of people seeking this kind of setup. Employers are looking for those who are more than comfortable and familiar with remote work, while small businesses are looking to hire skilled people to help them further their business virtually.
9. Enhancing company culture
The benefits of remote work are undoubtedly significant; however, there is also the matter of upholding company culture. Companies need to adjust to the remote or hybrid setup and find ways to enhance the culture and cultivate a positive work environment for everyone. This can include weekly meetings, giving awards and recognition, lunch-outs, and more.
10. A dip into the metaverse
Employers, of course, will continue to innovate how we collaborate in the workplace. AI, or virtual reality, might be utilized for the remote or hybrid setup–from the onboarding process to training, virtual meetings, virtual hangouts, team games, communication, and more. Since the metaverse is slowly gaining traction, it wouldn’t be a surprise if it also impacts remote work.
Remote work or hybrid work models will continue for many years to come. Consider these work-from-home trends to help you fine-tune your organizational strategies and work routine, whether you’re a business owner or an employee.