EMPLOYEES of the future will be career-loyal rather than company-loyal and will work both hard and smart a new research report has suggested
EMPLOYEES OF the future will be career-loyal rather than company-loyal and will work both hard and smart, a new research report has suggested.
Produced by recruitment firm OfficeTeam, Future 2020 The Evolution of the Workplace and the Skills Needed to Succeed, summarised extensive research and interviews with leading futurists and trend watchers.
Among the findings was that technology aided streamlining would be the ultimate function of offices in 15 years time. “Wireless technologies will enable a flexible mindset meaning people will be less tied to the office and will be able to set up shop at any location and in an instant,” the report said. “Wireless technology will also enable companies to streamline functions and services in a concerted drive towards efficiency and profitability.”
The results suggest that organisations failing to invest or keep pace with technological developments will be left behind. “It is a short term cost versus long term cost savings. Technology can increase a company’s performance and profitability through streamlining and working more efficiently,” Nicole Gorton, Director, OfficeTeam Sydney said.
The rise of career loyal workers is also expected to have a significant impact. “As the 'instant office' becomes more prominent in the workplace the style of employment will change,” Gorton said. “Employees will become loyal to teams and managers as opposed to the company. Furthermore, it will potentially lead to a more contractual-based work force.”
However, employees will be expected to working longer hours and to be available at all times, including holidays. “There is already an expectation, driven by the fast pace of local and international business, that employees should work to late night deadlines and do business across other time zones,” she said. “As technology becomes more sophisticated and business transactions more global, the distinction between work and personal life will become more blurred.”
Less segregation between work and personal life in future is not all bad news despite the topical issue of work/life balance. “This represents society going forward due to technology, and therefore having the ‘instant office’ allows flexibility,” Gorton said.
