May 2022
While advancements in WFH technology have made working during lockdowns possible, they have also made it harder for employees to take sick days. Research has shown that remote and hybrid workers often have weaker social bonds, making them less likely to disclose their illness to colleagues and supervisors and leading to increased pressure to continue working while unwell. (Financial Times)
Working from home has transformed the nature of white collar employment, but it looks like some of these changes might now be coming to blue collar and service industry jobs as well. Most of these advancements are being driven by technology, but many also rely on companies offering their workers increased autonomy. (Computerworld)
Phased retirement programs are on the rise, allowing older workers to cut back on hours gradually while still retaining some pay and benefits. This trend is great for both companies and retiring Boomers, many of whom are eager to pass on their institutional knowledge – but also struggle to leave careers that are central to their identities. (The Wall Street Journal)
The pandemic and the rise of hybrid work have prompted many organizations to explore “office hoteling software,” platforms that employees can use to reserve desk space in advance (similar to booking a hotel room). These space management features can alleviate overcrowding (and promote social distancing), and are particularly helpful for coordinating employees with staggered schedules throughout the week. (Digiday)
With remote work opening doors to a global workforce, companies are prioritizing multilingual skills in new hires more than ever before. Interpreters and translators are in high demand as well, but bringing multilingual employees in-house is critical for organizations looking to expand their talent pools around the world. (WorkLife)
Over half of American workers say that they are likely to seek out job offers from other companies in order to get raises at their current firms. Managers would be better off encouraging transparency and regular salary discussions off the bat – while certainly an effective strategy in the midst of a tight labor market, salary matching negotiations can damage relationships between employees and their supervisors and harm retention. (Bloomberg)
Despite many bosses demanding that employees return to the office, a recent study shows that 35% of non-executives are now commuting into the office each day, compared to only 19% of executives. Moreover, only 21% of knowledge workers (executives and non-executives alike) say they want to work in the office full-time, indicating that many of these employees would prefer to follow in their boss’ WFH footsteps. (Future Forum)
Two-year skilled trades programs are booming while enrollment at four-year colleges and community colleges continues to fall. Much of the recent growth in the skilled trades has happened since the pandemic started, and those students who are still attending more traditional institutions are increasingly diverting their efforts to programs with strong job prospects and good pay. (NPR)