5 Workplace Culture Trends for 2022

 
05/19/2022


Photo from Pexels

By Sierra Powell,

 
Within the past few years, there have been major changes and shifts that transformed the way people experienced life. From a highly contentious political landscape to a global pandemic, it's impossible for these events to directly impact the workplace. Knowing this, consider some of the ways that workplace culture will continue to shift in 2022.


1. Hybrid/Remote Workplaces

The pandemic ushered in mandatory shelter-in-place measures. As a result, companies were forced to work remotely. However, this forced shift also showcased how efficient and productive people can remain when they're working from home. With this revelation, a lot of people decided to either work remotely or find a different job that would allow it. Additionally, as more companies instituted mandatory vaccinations, many employees didn't like that. For those who don't want to endure forced vaccinations, the remote model works well. For those who prefer the option to work from home, the hybrid solution works too.


2. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Emphasis

As racial injustices, inequality and a lack of diversity became center stage in 2020, more companies promised to institute more protocols and mandates surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I). More people want to see and know that the workplace culture is inclusive in many ways. From the board of directors to the company politics, more employees are looking for effective DE&I programs that are continuously upheld at all levels of the company. For companies that are unsure of how to move forward in this effort, contacting an HR consultant will be a beneficial strategy to consider.


3. Wellness Focus

The mental health conversation continues to evolve as more people gain access to mental health tools such as therapy and mindfulness courses. Instead of solely focusing on making sure each employee has health insurance, wellness will become a mainstay in the workplace cultures across the country. Wellness covers everything from mental health resources to work-life balance incentives for employees. From childcare stipends to gym discounts, companies are prioritizing the well-being of their employees.


4. Shorter Work Weeks

As inflation continues to lend itself to the reality of a future recession, companies are struggling to find ways to increase pay in a way that beats inflation. Instead of fighting to provide competitive pay amid inflation, companies are offering shorter work weeks with the same rate of pay. Even though the employees won't receive a pay increase, they're gaining time back because they're working fewer hours without a pay cut. More companies will shift to a 32-hour workweek. In turn, this will allow employees to enjoy longer weekends.


5. Professional Development

As more people continue to work from home, the demand for technology will continue to rise. For some companies, there's a desire for better tech programs that lead to seamless virtual connections between employees. The connectivity will help employees to feel immersed in the workplace culture even though they're working from home. As a result, the demand for tech-savvy talent will continue to rise. From software developers to code builders, companies will invest in their current employees to improve their tech skills.
Even outside of the tech industry, employers will invest in their employees by helping them gain new skills that will build the company. Though many companies prioritized this process, it will remain a workplace trend for those companies that want to remain competitive in 2022.
Take time to sit down and look at your career. With these shifts in mind, consider how your career will be impacted. Consider your overall career goals and how to use this time to pivot, shift and soar. Despite the changing global landscape, there are plenty of opportunities to nurture your career into a well-oiled machine. With these trends in mind, learn how to use them to your advantage as you plan and move forward.


Back To News



SBE Northeast
 


Louisiana Business JournalArchive