Over the past year, the working landscape has continued to evolve as the overwhelming majority of businesses continue to embrace hybrid working for the long-term.
From the rise of the work-from-anywhere trend to a greater emphasis on sustainability, we reflect on the five major trends that have reshaped the workplace in 2023.
5 transformative trends reshaping the world of work
1. Prioritising worker wellbeing
In the post-pandemic hybrid working landscape, employees have significantly different priorities and expectations. The once prevalent ‘hustle culture’ has increasingly given way to a greater focus on achieving a strong work-life balance. The ability to work locally as part of the hybrid model enables employees to spend more time with family and friends, rather than commuting long-distances five-days a week. An IWG study published earlier this year revealed that hybrid workers are exercising more, sleeping longer, and eating better than they were before the pandemic. This improved wellbeing not only enhances their quality of life, but also boosts job performance and productivity — a win-win for businesses.
2. The rise of working from anywhere
With hybrid working now the global norm, more and more workers are taking advantage of the ability to work from anywhere. Today, remote workers comprise everything from digital nomads to ‘flexcationers’ and ‘workationers’ — all they need is a strong internet connection. The trend is also being driven forward by forward-thinking companies such as Spotify and Airbnb, who are increasingly empowering their employees to work from wherever they are most productive by implementing ‘WFA’ policies.
It’s an increasingly popular trend among employees; IWG research revealed that three in five hybrid workers took a workation last year. It benefits businesses too, by boosting employee satisfaction and productivity. According to Accenture, 63% of high-growth firms have embraced ‘productivity anywhere’ models of working, while Spotify also found that the time needed to fill a role decreased from an average of 48 days to 42.
3. The shift to the suburbs
Now that five-day commutes into city centres are no longer a must, the flexibility of the hybrid model is causing many to re-evaluate where they want to base themselves. For those looking for a calmer, more relaxed way of life, this often takes them out of big cities into the suburbs, smaller towns or even the countryside.
“There should be no surprise at this,” says Mark Dixon,IWG’s Founder and CEO. “Now that ties to a single workplace have been loosened, employees are seizing the opportunity to move to places where their quality of life is improved, thanks to better amenities, proximity to family and friends, and an all-round better environment.”
The trend is here to stay. A recent landmark report by IWG and Arup revealed that outbound migration from cities is on the rise in both the UK and US, with strong evidence that suburbs and small towns have higher levels of economic activity than before 2020. To meet the strong demand for high-quality professional workspaces in the heart of these communities, IWG has launched a major programme of expansion to add up to 1000 locations to its global network over the next year, with the majority in suburban and rural areas.
4. Greener ways of working
Reducing carbon emissions is an urgent priority, and businesses are increasingly recognising their moral imperative to act. Embracing the hybrid work model is one effective response. This year, IWG collaborated with Arup to independently verify the impact of the hybrid model on work-related carbon emissions. The analysis demonstrated the immense potential of the hybrid model to significantly reduce carbon emissions through improved commuting options and building efficiency – the impact per person was found to be able to drive a staggering 70% reduction in carbon emissions.
5. Emphasis on resilience
In an era defined by rapid change and unforeseen challenges, building resilience has become a key focus for businesses. A robust recovery plan is now a cornerstone of business strategy, ensuring uninterrupted operations through any crisis. Regus’s Workplace Recovery plans exemplify this preparedness, offering businesses fully furnished and serviced workspaces within just four hours of a crisis. This makes sure that organisations can maintain seamless operations, minimising disruptions and delays.
2023: A year of transformation
This year has brought significant changes to the working landscape. As we have seen, business leaders are increasingly focused on how to enrich the experience, health and wellbeing of their employees, while finding new ways to increase resilience, efficiency and sustainability. All of these evolving trends are underpinned by the growth of hybrid working, which is empowering millions of people around the world to work how and where they feel most fulfilled and productive. These benefits are set to continue into next year and beyond, as more and more businesses embrace the model for the long-term, increasing productivity and profits, while also supporting people and the planet.
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