Future workplace trends

A premier outplacement consulting firm in the United States, Challenger, Gray & Christmas, have looked into the future to forecast what you can expect from the corporate world in the years to come. Some forward-looking and relatively new notions have been enumerated here. Curious? Read on to find out how and where you work today may be different than tomorrow.

1. Four-Day Workweeks

The rising costs of fuel and other commodities are driving some companies to allow their employees the opportunity to perform all their tasks in a fewer days (well,that would mean more weekends, yahoo!). As per observation by the outplacement firm, about 23% of companies are now offering a condensed workweek, typically consisting of four 10-hour days. With the latest productivity-enhancing tools, this scheme would work well as some employees are able to get their work done in a shorter period.

2. Shape Up or Pay Up

As more and more people are becoming health-conscious, the likely trend in the future is that expect employers to take serious interest in their employees health and well-being though mandatory corporate wellness programs. As the outplacement firm predicts, office equipment such as Steelcase's WalkStations, which allow workers to walk on treadmills while at their computers, will catch on worldwide. Moreso, expect health-oriented company policies to be introduced that will penalized unhealthy behaviors of employees. In fact, few companies in the United States have adopted such policies that requires employees who allow health risks, such as tobacco use, obesity or high cholesterol, to go unchecked will pay more for their company health insurance.

3. Company-Sponsored Degree Program

The outplacement firm believes that large corporations will begin to create their own degree programs with precise coursework centered around their company culture and goals, eliminating the need for extensive on-the-job training, and saving both the company and the employees thousands of dollars.

4. Worldwide Recruitment

The expansion of the global economy will likely lead to a global talent pool where companies will aggressively pursue the best available workers, regardless of where they reside. In fact, corporations in Europe and Asia have already increased their efforts to recruit foreign talent. (Yet another reason to keep your passport current.)

5. Borderless Office

In order to maximize employee interaction and teamwork, many companies will eliminate the isolating cubicle and redesign their workspace to feature common areas, conference rooms, and tables, as opposed to individual desks. With the wireless technology, this concept would gain ground as employees can now work in different locations in the office with their laptops. Such would increase opportunities for telecommuting.

6. Working Offsite

The image of a hulking headquarters building will fade as fast as old newspapers in the years to come, according to the outplacement firm. In an effort to cut real-estate costs, become more eco-friendly, and attract the growing number of employees who want increased work-life balance, more and more companies will adopt a "work wherever you want, whenever you want" policy. Some companies are already embracing this forward-thinking notion, including AT&T, Best Buy, and Sun Microsystems, the latter of which estimates that it saved US$400-million in real estate costs over a six-year period. (But such concept have long been practiced in some marketing companies, investment houses and brokerage firms in the Philippines.)

7. Free Agency

The move to hiring temporary and contractual employees, freelancers and consultants is beneficial for both companies and workers, as stated by the outplacement firm. Companies will save money (e.i., overtimes, de minimis benefits, insurance premiums, retirement pays, etc.) and can add support on an as-needed basis, while free agents will enjoy flexibility in terms of time management and project assignment and higher earning potential. According to market research firm EPIC-MRA, about one-third of the United States workforce will be comprised of free agents by 2012. (This free agency concept has been a long-time practiced in the sporting world, but now expect white-collar workers to follow such lead.)