If you thought the business world has been on a big learning curve since the disruption of Covid-19, then strap yourselves in. As we look ahead to 2024, societal and business changes show no sign of slowing down. The onset of AI, a focus on automation, and changing work patterns can drastically change how we think of work in 2024.

Let’s take a look at some of the emerging workplace trends and some predictions for 2024.

Hybrid workplaces

Arguably, one of the biggest shifts in the business landscape over the past few years has been the increase in remote work and hybrid workplaces. Remote work is where employees work from home all or some of the time. Hybrid workplaces occur when a company allows some people to work from home while also having staff in the office. Employees may work at the office a couple of times a week or on a rotating basis.

Hybrid workplaces look different for every business, but we certainly expect changes to continue in this space. For example, as rent increases and we move away from needing in-person services, businesses may close physical locations or downsize to smaller co-working spaces or serviced offices.

AI integration

If remote and hybrid work isn’t the biggest change for the business world, then the rise of artificial intelligence certainly is. AI has been around for a while now, and it’s slowly been creeping into workplaces all over the world. From intelligent chatbots to automated data processing, AI is becoming more commonplace.

Undoubtedly, this new age of automation will result in people losing their jobs, but the extent simply can’t yet be known. However, smart businesses will begin leveraging AI to work alongside humans. We can expect fewer mundane, repetitive tasks for employees, leaving them more available to do the types of work that machines aren’t good at.

Focus on learning and development

With new technology comes an increased need for learning and development. The rise of AI has essentially supercharged a technological revolution for businesses, and workers need to learn how to cope in this new environment. For example, warehouse workers who have done everything manually for their entire careers will now need upskilling to work alongside advanced computer systems.

While AI doesn’t necessarily mean job losses on a mass scale, it will certainly impact employment rates to an extent. So, many workers may find themselves needing to reskill or upskill to keep their knowledge up to date.

A focus on employee well-being

This is a concept that never really goes away in modern workplaces. Workers are increasingly looking for good working conditions, even at the expense of salary and other entitlements. New generations of workers are far less likely to remain in a job long-term if their needs aren’t being met, so the importance of retaining top talent is a big issue for employers.

Happy, engaged workers are more loyal and typically perform better, so it makes sense for employers to focus heavily on employee well-being in the future. However, this isn’t without its challenges, considering the rise of remote work and hybrid workplaces. Leaders need to develop new systems for staying connected with staff in an increasingly digital world.

The gig economy

When the term ‘gig economy’ first came into the common vernacular, it referred mostly to ride-sharing services such as Uber, or, at a stretch, freelancers performing work through online platforms like Airtasker. But today, the gig economy stretches far and wide as many individuals feel they get more satisfaction working for themselves.

As this trend continues to grow, employers have a challenge retaining and attracting top talent. More professionals are working freelance, which presents the risk of a diminished talent pool for full-time salaried positions. Again, this reinforces the importance of focusing on employee well-being, benefits, working conditions and other perks to keep the best people in the market.

Want to take control of your workplace’s future?

One of the best ways to minimise disruption to your business is by employing the right people. Finding motivated, skilled, enthusiastic and experienced sales team members should be at the top of everybody’s priority list for 2024. With the right teams, you can achieve great success through periods of change and even emerge on the other side as an industry leader. Contact Salexo today for all your recruitment and consulting needs.