A survey by EPOS shows, one in two workers miss personal contact with colleagues due to working from home a lot.
Employees increasingly expect their employers to pay attention to their well-being, both physically and mentally. Less than half of workers are satisfied with their current work-life balance (43%), and nearly a third (30%) say they plan to change careers to improve their overall happiness. Half of workers say they miss time with colleagues in person now that they can work remotely. This trend is the highest among Gen Z and Millennials (80%) who enjoy using physical office spaces to learn, grow and settle into their work communities.
Future trends
These are some of the key findings of the report “The Workplace of the Future,” which is based on a survey commissioned by audio and video manufacturer EPOS from Foresight Factory. With it, EPOS aims to gain insight into current and emerging trends that are shaping the future of work, as well as the technological solutions that will allow companies to develop a hybrid strategy for a long-term productive workforce. Indeed, three years after the pandemic, companies must deal with serious crises to remain productive and profitable. In addition, they are struggling more than ever to efficiently organize hybrid work practices and adapt their business practices to meet the needs of their employees.
Other key findings include:
- Employees prioritize their well-being
More than half of workers around the world (53%) say they prioritize their well-being, both physical and mental, more than before the pandemic. As a result, they increasingly expect their employers to be part of their health ecosystems: 38% of workers want their employers to support their staff by giving them time off for mental health needs. Another 30% of workers want companies to set aside hours for employees when they can engage in mental and physical well-being. - Avoiding burnout and pursuing happiness are key drivers
Employee burnout is a persistent problem, and 36% of workers worldwide say they have experienced burnout in the past 12 months due to “working too hard,” a feeling that is highest among Gen Z (40%) and Millennials (42%). As the gap between employers and employees over remote work widens, so does dissatisfaction. Less than half of workers are satisfied with their current work-life balance (43%), and nearly a third (30%) say they plan to change careers to improve their overall happiness. - Access to a physical office is vital
Employees want to avoid feeling isolated and want companies to provide both physical and virtual opportunities for connection and collaboration. Half of workers say they miss time with colleagues in person now that they can work remotely. This trend is greatest among Gen Z and Millennials (80%), who like to use physical office spaces to learn, grow and settle into their work communities. - Employees will leave if they don’t learn
Employees are expected to quickly improve existing skills or gain new ones. On the other hand, 60% of workers of all ages also want to continue learning, and 44% say they want to advance and become more skilled within their current job. If they cannot learn and grow within a job, they will leave to achieve their career goals. - Substandard technology solutions can lead to cognitive overload
Employers should also consciously equip employees with solutions that reduce the risk of cognitive fatigue. EPOS research has shown that in noisy environments, the brain works harder to focus on the main sound source, requiring 35% more cognitive effort to listen. Over time, this can lead to cognitive overload and brain fatigue, affecting employee stress levels, information recall and performance.
World was never more complex
“The world of work has never been more complex than it is today,” says Jeppe Dalberg-Larsen, President at EPOS. “Business leaders investing in the future of their company and the future of their employees need to think deliberately about their hybrid strategies. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. While we have seen in recent years how technology has revolutionized modern work, it is no substitute for leadership and culture. Leaders today face new challenges and must put their people at the center of creating a work community that keeps employees engaged long-term.”
“Each company requires a unique and customized plan that takes into account all aspects of business, people and culture. Business leaders must align with the issues, challenges and interests that most concern their employees and make the necessary changes to thrive as a team,” reads the advice of Marta Vilella, Client Partner at Foresight Factory.
Methodology of the report
On behalf of EPOS, and to supplement the trend data, Foresight Factory contacted several leading companies to gain insight into their perspectives and observations of the current market. This focused on companies from the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Germany. These authentic first-hand experiences further shed light on the most pressing issues at the forefront of hybrid discussions. It also reaffirms, once again, that companies must deliberately align their policies with the future of their workplace, especially when there are so many and constantly changing factors undermining an employee’s loyalty.
For more information and access to the report, please visit here.