5 Workspace Trends to Watch Out for In 2022!

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Divya Sitlani
Divya Sitlani is the Client Relationship Manager at The Address. If you ever happen to visit The Address' Ahmedabad offices, do not miss to stop by and say Hi to her.

Workplace norms have evolved drastically in ways we couldn’t have imagined a few years back. 

Keeping up with the changes, especially with the ongoing pandemic, can feel exhausting and frustrating – not to mention the high-stakes involved in managing a diverse workforce. 

In this post, we will see what the upcoming years hold for the workspace domain? 

We have enlisted five workplace trends that companies will be following in 2022 and the years that follow. These trends will help you plan and prepare for the continuously-evolving future ahead.

Top Trends in the Modern Workspace

#1: Rise of a Hybrid Work Culture

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Pre-pandemic, the priority was to enhance the usual-then physical corporate culture. The pandemic shifted the emphasis in the direction of remote work. Since the deadly virus is still active, everyone is concerned about what the future holds.

Will the corporate office re-open, or will the remote culture thrive?

The answer is a hybrid work culture that offers the ‘best of both worlds’ will rise.

The flexible working model has already helped businesses generate a higher ROI. Research at Microsoft reveals that more than 70 percent of the employees are happy with the hybrid model

During the outbreak of COVID-19, tools like Zoom, Slack, and Google Meet, came to the rescue. They enabled everyone to be on the same page by offering seamless communication. But, to take collaboration to the next level, companies will implement more advanced and personalised tools. 

You will also witness the development of social zones in the corporate offices. The aim will be to enhance social relationships at work. HR professionals will proactively adopt these practices to bridge the communication gap between in-house and remote workers. 

Organisations like Apple, Adobe, and Citigroup have already announced such plans. It indicates that the hybrid models aren’t going anywhere. They are going to be the new face of the corporate culture. As a business owner, you should also plan your transition to a hybrid working model. It will empower your team by providing working flexibility and independence.

#2: Massive Growth in the Coworking Domain

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The Coworking Space Global Market Report 2021 revealed that the coworking market will surpass $13.03 billion by the end of 2025.

Coworking workspaces offer top-notch amenities, flexible working culture, and reduce overhead costs. They provide like-minded professionals with opportunities to network and enhance their career growth.

Further, shared workspaces are a cost-efficient option to embrace hybrid work models.

At present, thousands of SMBs and large-scale industries are turning to coworking workspaces. Coworking is helping them to manage their finances by curtailing long-term lease commitments. For instance, Pinterest paid around $89.5 million to end its office lease and opted for the coworking culture. 

It is just the beginning.

According to Forbes, coworking will be favourable in 2022 as the hybrid model will be in full swing. The companies will need affordable yet well-equipped workspaces. 

Are you one of them?

To gain a competitive edge and be successful, you should leverage the power of coworking. The Address can help you design creative coworking spaces for teams of all sizes. Get in touch with The Address team for a value-adding coworking setup.

#3: Emphasis on Healthcare Offerings

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Over the past two years, the pandemic created havoc for working professionals. Whether they went to the office or worked from home, their health suffered a lot. 

While the vaccination drive and hybrid work culture ensure physical safety, their mental health concerns were unaddressed.

Considering the situation, companies have created policies that include mental healthcare offerings. 

Some companies have started to conduct mental health awareness sessions and rejuvenation therapies. Brands like LinkedIn and JPMorgan Chase have allowed their team to take time off. Despite these strategies, 94 percent of professionals suffer from anxiety and stress. 

With the pandemic far from over, companies will continue their efforts. They will implement solid healthcare policies in 2022. You might see a specialised health zone with a team of psychologists in the workspace

As a business owner, you must also focus on redefining your workspace culture. Boost your team’s well-being by incorporating healthcare provisions. You may not see the immediate impact, but it will pay off in the long term. 

#4: DE&I Focused Job Openings

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Racial injustice in the workspace is intolerable. Prioritising equality is a must.

Companies are focusing on strengthening their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies. But still, they need actionable plans to make it a success. So, this trend will continue further as we move to 2022. 

You can expect companies to offer DE&I-focused job openings to support the initiative.

What’s more?

Research revealed that 79 percent of companies might assign resources to create a diverse workforce. In 2022, you can expect companies to roll out inclusive and fair policies and build DEI departments.

If you haven’t been paying attention to DEI parameters, it’s the right time to take the noble initiative.

#5: Incorporation of ESG Measures 

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Around 78 percent of executives believe in working for a higher cause. They think that addressing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues can create a better organisational value. 

The reason?

The ongoing pandemic, climatic changes, and other issues have highlighted its importance. Most consumers and professionals especially, millennials, want to contribute to society. They keep a tab on how firms respond to environmental and social issues. Most of them even leave their jobs if the firm is insensitive towards societal change. All they want is to work towards creating a better future.

To help move the needle on ESG issues, businesses – small, mid, or large will link their employee pay to ESG metrics. 

Apple has already implemented an ESG bonus modifier to their incentive scheme. 

From 2022 onwards, you might see four in five companies incorporating ESG measures

That’s not all. 

You can also expect companies to embrace sustainable and green office designs. For instance, they may replace the traditional stuff with renewable resources. These steps will play a vital role in creating green improvements.

Your actions reflect your company’s vision and mission. As an entrepreneur, you should also push the envelope and embrace the ESG measures for a better future.

Conclusion

No one knows when the world will be out of the pandemic phase. In these challenging times, the only way to move forward is to work with a positive mindset.

As a business owner, keep the shared five workspace trends for 2022 in mind as you continue your entrepreneurial journey. These trends will guide you in understanding the perspective of the market leaders. By acknowledging the market trends, you can make informed decisions. We are sure that it will help you improve your ROI irrespective of the situation. 

So, be confident and take your venture to greater heights.