The future of work is here
The future of workplace wellness is here. It’s transformational, and it’s driven by a conscious social and health imperative. We’re already seeing a brain drain, with skills shortages across many industries in WA. Employer competition is hotting up. This means that toxic work cultures must be replaced by regenerative business practices and ideals. Because, standing out as a workplace of choice is now more crucial for businesses, big and small, to attract and retain talent.
Organisations that value wellbeing and social capital ahead of profit will be a significant drawcard for future employees. People want to do meaningful work, and they want to turn up to a place that feels good.
The virtual age has made working for yourself easier than ever before. But that comes with its challenges, and people crave community — the value of water cooler conversations is not to be underestimated. Strong team cultures will encourage greater employee retention and less presenteeism. Of course, being paid a good wage matters, too but healthy workplaces deeply understand the emotional and psychological needs of their people, and they make it a priority.
So what does workplace wellness look like going forward?
Well, I can tell you, branded cupcakes and fruit platters are so 2019. These tidbits are the no-frills version of corporate culture.
Wellbeing is hardly a new concept though. Former UK prime minister David Cameron advocated for creating a whole economy built on happiness. During his presentation at the 2010 Google Zeitgeist Europe conference, Cameron spoke about the future of work: “Wellbeing can’t be measured by money or traded in markets. It’s about the beauty of our surroundings, the quality of our culture, and, above all, the strength of our relationships.”
Employees are demanding greater work flexibility. Holistic health, safety, and wellbeing programs will be a mainstay. Social innovation will flow through all domains of businesses, and replace traditional corporate social responsibility programs.
Working from home has finally arrived — and it’s about time. Last week the US division of consulting firm PwC announced it would be giving employees the choice to work from home, indefinitely. Many Aussie companies are following, favouring permanently relocating to employee’s homes rather than a central office. Some are even paying extra for staff to maintain their home offices. WA-founded Canva has now also implemented new work-from-anywhere arrangements for their global team. Staff will only need to show up to an office eight times a year. This means that the eight-hour workday is almost dead in the water. Adaptable work schedules are no longer just a company perk.
More options for job sharing, part-time work, and flexibility around children and other caring responsibilities, as well as the personal desires of employees, will help them thrive. With teams spread out across the country and world, it’ll also be imperative for firms to rally the troops in new ways. Corporate conferences and retreats that bring people together will become one of the biggest growth trends in the future of employee engagement.
Programs that combine wellness activities, meditation and mindfulness practices, culture and nature-based immersions, strategic workshops, and inspirational speaking engagements will set businesses apart. And on top of all this employees and customers, are favouring businesses that look after the environment as well as their people. They are compelled to work and buy from businesses who lead with the future, for the future, in mind. The final tip for business is this: put your people first, include them in key decisions, make wellbeing part of your company culture, and plan for the future — or risk being left behind.
This article was first published in The West Australian in Renée Gardiner’s weekly column in Agenda, 16 October 2021.