Workplace Trends:

• Organizations know that to succeed in the future, they must gain an understanding of how the world is changing.

• The trends identified represent significant shifts for workforces and workplaces.

• Trends can be identified as Social, Political or Economic.

Trends May CausePeople to:

• Work in a number of jobs in different

industries.

• Work more flexible hours and be prepared to move to maintain employment.

• Change the way they work – fixed term contracts, working from home, etc.

Trends are Only Trends!

• They can be derailed by unforeseen events such as: - 9/11

- SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory

Syndrome)

- Economic Downturns

Trend #1 Technology

• It has caused the biggest change in

the workplace.• It will continue to change the workforce. • It has caused Globalization to become one of

the fastest growing trends. • Technology and Globalization have been and

continue to be the leading trends in the workplace.

New Jobs Created by Technology

• Web Masters • Internet Security Specialists• Computer Technicians• Online Banking, etc. • More jobs for smaller and mid-sized companies• More home-based businesses – Niche markets

can be targeted and orders can come from all over the world.

Points to Consider

• Technology will continue to take away many jobs that are routine and that require little skill.

• Working in a 24/7 business culture – workers may experience burn out and feel under appreciated.

• Older workers may need more technical training to keep from becoming dinosaurs.

Trend #2 The Global Economy

• This refers to an economy with unrestricted and free movement of goods, services and labor around the world.

The Global Economy and Jobs

• Quality Assurance Workers – to win over the competitors, products must be of the highest quality.

• People capable of communicating in more than one language will be highly valued. Trade has increased with Asia, especially China and India.

• Companies will recruit globally

Points to Consider

• There will be Cultural challenges.

• Hours of work may need to change because of the different time zones.

Trend #3 Demographic Shifts

• The Aging Population

• Immigration

The Aging Population

• Baby Boomers - These are people who were born between 1947 and 1966.

• They have dominated society, including the workplace, because they make up about 30% of the population.

• The first Boomers turned 60 in 2007 - Their retirement will have a huge impact on the workplace.

Jobs Created by Baby Boomers

• Services for the Elderly: Homemakers, Nurses, Activity Coordinators, Adult Daycare workers, Drivers, Personal Care workers, etc.

• Financial and Legal services• Jobs in the areas of travel and hobbies -

Boomers have money to spend.

Generally there will be more work for others - This large segment of society is in the process of retiring.

Points to Consider

• Employees may accommodate older workers - It is more economical to hire retired workers who are already trained and can work on a part-time, temporary or seasonal basis. Or

• Employees may want to get rid of older employees because of their technological ability.

Activity

Brainstorming Activity on Baby Boomers and ECHOES

Immigration

• To maintain our population and in turn our economy, immigration will continue.

• It is needed because the baby boomers are retiring and the birthrate has declined.

• Most of the immigrants now come from Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Jobs Created due to Immigration

• ESL teachers - To improve the English of new immigrants

Points to Consider

• The workplace will be more culturally diverse and will require tolerance, understanding and sensitivity on the part of all workers.

Thus these are qualities that employees will look for in future workers.

Tend #4Restructuring the Workplace

• A focus on the Team Approach and a less hierarchical workplace.

• Teams will have more responsibility for decision-making, problem-solving and maintaining budgets.

• Middle managers will no longer be required. They will be let go or used as coaches of the team, rather than an authority figure.

Jobs Created by Teaming

• Team coaches

Points to Consider

• Reduced level of supervision

• More common work areas with wireless internet

• Cubicles will be eliminated.

Trend #5 Job Flexibility

A. Different Hours of Employment

B. Hot Desking: - Working from home- Working on the road

Different Hours of Employment

• Open 24/7: example: Grocery Stores - This allows people to work when it suits their family or study schedule.

• Four-Day Work Weeks (3-day weekends)

- This would help with the rising cost of fuel.

- Not everyone needs to work 40 hours to be effective.

Hot Desking

• Temporarily using physical space - available for anyone within an organization to work at on a flexible basis. It might mean that a desk and PC is available or it could be in the form of connection points for a laptop, etc.

• This space could be used by those who work on the road or those who work at home.

• This space might be used as a Virtual Workplace.

Video

• ABC News:

The Future of the Workplace: No Office (2:39)

http://vodpod.com/watch/1258146-future-of-the-workplace

Points to Consider

• Employers are able to recruit from a wider range of people - Distance from work is not an issue.

• How do you control work hours?• How do you keep workers focused and

productive?• What communication system do you use?• Privacy Issues!

To Make It Work

• Workers must recognize that they have a job that must get done on time and

• Employees must trust that the workers will get the job done.

Trend #6 Growth of the Contingent

Workforce • Most companies outsource some of their

work - More efficient for companies and

- Gives them the ability to hire only when they have work available.

• Workers are paid only for what they do, not for the time spent on the job.

Workers must:

• Feel secure in their skills.

• Manage their money and time well – There will be times of unemployment.

• Have an entrepreneurial spirit - to see the next opportunity.

• Take courses to remain competitive.

Points to Consider

• No benefits

• No job security

• You can work when you want and accept the type of work you want.

Trend #7 Expectations of Generation Y

• Also called the ECHO generation - Born between 1979 and 1995. - Make up about 25% of the population.

• Do not understand “punching the clock ”• Want shorter work days• Expect flexibility and not as a perk• May find it hard getting along with 3

generations working in the same office

Videos

• Generation Next – The Workplace(2:31)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_jB1Q0K5BI

• CBC Doc Zone: Hyper Parents & Coddled Kids (35 minutes)

http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/doczone/2010/hyperparents/index.html

Other Trends

• Environmentalism

- ‘Green Companies’

• Healthy Lifestyle- Gyms, Yoga, Diets

Activity 7

• Megatrends Option 2:

The Hybrid Approach

(Handout: pages 69-72)

Sources:

1) Major trends in the workplace (January 2004) by Anne McDonaghwww.weacanada.ca/files/articles/54.pdf

2) Changes in the Workplace (Mind your Business – 24 October 2005)www.bized.co.uk › Current Topics › Mind your Business

3) The Corporate Crystal Ball: Future Workplace Trends (Yahoo! HotJobs) by Caroline Potterhotjobs.yahoo.com › Career Tools › Career Articles

4) Workplace Trends: Today’s Decisions, Tomorrow’s Successes (Sept.2008) by Emily V. Troianowww.catalyst.org/.../workplace-trends-todays-decisions-tomorrows-successes