2020 witnessed a lot of changes, particularly in the workplace. These changes have quickly become competitive, which means that employees are now demanding more from employers.

Several trends have overtaken the workplace, and most of them are dictated by benefits and perks for employees. We urge all employers to spare a few minutes to read up on what requests to expect this year from their employees.

Let’s touch on the top five workplace trends we expect to see in the new year.

The return to the physical office setting

The workplace evolved from physical to remote in a matter of weeks. So much so that it’s easy to assume it’ll be this way for a long, long time. However, the reality is that teams function and flow best when in a collaborative, shared workspace that involves, yes, human interaction. In other words- the office setting isn’t going anywhere.

As the year goes on, we’ll see more companies easing their way back into the physical office space where they can facilitate face-to-face discussions, brainstorming sessions, and general in-person interactions, while still ensuring safety for their workers.

One of the biggest changes to the workplace we can expect to see is more digitalization of office procedures. So, even though the physical office setting is returning, it’s coming back with new digitalization strategies that will ensure it stands the test of time.

Pet insurance benefits for employees

Many people consider pets an essential part of their lives because they provide companionship and joy. Moreover, most people regard their pets as additional family members!

With everyone spending most of their time at home this year, the country experienced a surge in pet ownership. This has pushed companies to include pet benefits as a part of an employee’s voluntary benefit options.

Ranging from pet healthcare to even pet bereavement days, people are making it known that their pets are a priority in their lives, and companies are listening.

Focus on mental health, burnout, and general employee wellbeing

If general employee wellbeing wasn’t a significant focus for your organization in the past, 2021 is the year you should make mental health a company priority.

Employee health concern has now moved from just the physical sphere, like injuries and illnesses, to supporting workers’ mental health. Post pandemic, this shift is particularly important because of the pandemic’s impact on the emotional and mental health of many workers.

As the new year begins, employers must make strategic plans to help prevent burnout and stress among their workers, such as redesigning workspaces, schedules, and support facilities to fit their workers’ mental health needs. Now’s the time to encourage proactive conversations among your workers to support their well-being, special needs, and overall wellness.

Greater emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion

2020 was the year that had the most outpouring on racial and inequality concerns in recent years. From the Black Lives Matter movement to women inclusion, companies have been compelled to take a stand and improve their workplaces by educating their employees and improving their methods of inclusion.

Several companies have publicly made statements vowing to remain committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and others stating to reevaluate and make a change. In addition, a number have hosted diversity and inclusion conversations to help navigate these issues within their companies. We’ve even seen companies go as far as to create new positions to specifically focus on these issues in the workplaces, such as a ‘Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer.’

Make plans in 2021 to address any existing workplace bias and embrace diversity within your workplace. Furthermore, create efforts to foster inclusion in leadership ranks, recruitment, and generally to prevent discrimination at different levels.

Continued training for employees

The workplace is continually changing, and employees need to stay up-to-date with these changes. One way to keep your employees updated is by continuously training and up-skilling employees. Especially with the continuation of remote and hybrid working styles, employees need to be appropriately educated on how to adopt the new tools for remote working and make the best use out of them.

Training employees, particularly those newly joining the workforce, can significantly influence business. It nurtures them into top talents that’ll quickly become useful for your organization and that you’ll likely want to retain long-term. Although training may temporarily take time out of your work schedule, in the long run, training your employees will increase their overall productivity and engagement level.

Conclusion

2020 was an unexpected year for everyone, and the business world wasn’t left out. These trends have shaped the workplace in the last year, and they’ll remain relevant in this new year. Maximize the advantages of these trends to take your business to the next level.