2020 & 2021 have had a significant impact on the way we work. For many of us, working from home has become the new normal. And it’s definitely taken some adjusting. Here we’ve provided an insight into what the future of remote work looks like, and the trends that are emerging.
TREND #1: Remote Work Becomes Permanent
Many big corporates across Australia and the globe have done a complete reset after the experience of COVID in 2020. And this reset is squarely focused on the workplace and where their workforce will operate from.
With productivity proving remote working actually works, some of the globes biggest brands are adopting a permanent work-from-home (WFH) policy. With the right technology infrastructure, and communications channels and protocols in place, the WFH phenomenon of 2020 is here to stay.
And the big tech brands are leading the way.
The global offices for Twitter and Facebook have both adopted permanent WFH strategies, where collaboration and team engagement rely heavily on the company’s tech offering. And it’s a plan that looks to be working.
TREND #2: Workers are Happy to WFH
The working from home trend has been largely welcomed by most corners of the Australian workforce. Flexibility of working schedules, location and a better lifestyle option are seen as the new perks of working in 2021.
Employees, while being happy about the new WFH scenario, expect autonomy. What this is proving is that when workers are in their most desired physical location, they’re at their happiest and most productive.
A recent Gitlab study of white-collar professionals around the globe, showed that:
- 74% of respondents said they are ‘somewhat’ to ‘very’ likely to remain with their employer, because of their support of remote work
- 47% of respondents said access to outdoor space and nature was a priority now, for their preferred working environment
- 22% take advantage of the opportunity to work from different locations
- Only 1% indicated they would like to go back to the office
TREND #3: Remote Work calls for Deeper Worker Engagement
How workers get recognised by their peers and superiors takes on a new dimension in the context of remote working.
Remote work relies heavily on virtual channels such as email, IM, Zoom and collaboration tools for talent to convey their engagement. And for business leaders to recognise it.
Unlike an office setting where forging relationships is easier for workers, and recognising engaging behaviours is simpler for managers, remote work makes this more difficult to achieve. So, a concerted effort is required from all parties.
Output, motivation, bringing enthusiasm and involvement in online meetings, will all play to the worker’s advantage in helping managers recognise future company leaders, while everyone works from home.
TREND #4: Cybersecurity Becomes a Bigger Priority
Organisations need to think more strategically about cybersecurity investments, and how to protect workers, company equipment, company data, IP and sensitive information.
Remote work has deemed cybersecurity a far bigger priority than before the pandemic, according the Cisco’s ‘Future of Secure Remote Work’ Report. The major focus now, is on how data is being accessed and effectively secured.
New investments in IT infrastructure are a key remote work trend for 2021. So as companies reduce workplace overheads, their spend in IT escalates.
Discuss the Future of Remote Working With CXC
Now that we’re well into the second quarter of calendar 2021, it’s critical for employers and stay on top of the changing labour market trends. And remote work is possibly the biggest change we’ve all had to embrace. If you would like to discuss these, or other workplace trends with me, please contact me here.
