Individual Choice

The pandemic made flexible work a reality for many employees, causing a paradigm shift in how people balance their work and personal lives. They want more choices about when, where and how they do their jobs, without work-from-home becoming endless work. And they value things like personal fulfillment, learning and growth over simple career advancement.

TREND 5

Not a Life Filled With Work,
but a Life Fulfilled

The pandemic demonstrated that a career is only one dimension of a rich and fulfilling life. Now people of all ages and genders are seeking employers who acknowledge and actively support a more healthy work/life balance.

A majority of UK workers (77%) say the pandemic has affected how they think about work.
32% of current UK workers would take another role in the next month if it offered a better blend of work and lifestyle.
61% of employees think asynchronous work creates a better work/life balance and 42% believe it is the future of work.
64% of the workforce would consider looking for a new job if they were required to return to the office full-time.

TREND 6

Women Want
Work to Work
For Them

Millions of women left the workforce during the pandemic and many still have not returned as old ways of working feel less compatible with new priorities for living.

Organisations need to reimagine when, where and how work gets done, offer pay equity, and advance reskilling, all of which will not only bring women back, but help ease the global talent crisis.

It’s clear that aligning business practices with the needs of women should be a top priority for employers worldwide.

Women want more flexible office hours (more important than fully remote), including fewer days in the office.
They desire more stability, with less fear of losing a job, while equality in the workplace—regardless of age, race or gender—is paramount.
Skills matter—women are looking for more opportunities to learn and grow.

TREND 7

Has the Five-Day Workweek Had Its Day?

Research indicates that moving to a four-day workweek can increase productivity, reduce overheads, boost well-being, attract and retain talent, and spur job creation.

Flexibility is important but needs to be equitably distributed across all categories—not just knowledge workers. From manual labourers to delivery drivers and warehouse employees, all need and deserve options, and they want employers that support their needs.

If there is a silver lining of COVID, it has to be that we rethink our priorities, right? That we may decide we don't want our jobs to be the centre of our lives, and we want to plan work around life as opposed to vice versa, which too many of us, particularly in the West, have done for too long.

Adam Grant, Professor of Management and Psychology, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

100 UK employers have already adopted a 4-day workweek.
95% of UK pilot 4-day workweek employers say productivity has improved or is the same

TREND 8

Turn Down the Heat to Reduce Burnout

Organisations that build their business models on the expectation that employees will go above and beyond, working nights, weekends and even holidays to advance goals or meet deadlines, may need to rethink that strategy given growing employee choice and lifestyle options.

The pandemic made it impossible to ignore what was already a growing mental health crisis. The task now is to move from awareness to action. It’s about helping people spot the warning signs of mental health challenges so that they can seek the help they need, make the changes they need to make, and live the lives they want.

Ariana Huffington, Founder and CEO, Thrive Global

UK workers feel that employers have all the power to determine where they work (66%).
Nearly a quarter (23%) of UK employees say they wish their manager would better understand the effort required to complete tasks.

TREND 9

Seeking Fulfillment,
Not Just Advancement

Workers are increasingly motivated by developing skills and experiences rather than seeking hierarchy and job titles. This often involves making lateral moves to find fulfillment and grow into more agile employees.

57% of employees are already pursuing training outside of work, because company training programs don't teach them relevant skills, don't advance their career development or simply don't help them stay competitive in the marketplace.
Organisations plan to offer the majority of workers (71%) some training or tools to develop their careers, most often in technical roles.
Women (67%) are less likely than men (75%) to have been retrained.
Only a third of workers are currently taking upskilling courses.

ManpowerGroup Nov. 2022 Consumer Study