Recent Trends in Workplace Change (DP IB Business Management)
Revision Note
Written by: Lisa Eades
Reviewed by: Steve Vorster
Recent Trends in Workplace Change
Both internal and external factors have contributed to a range of developments in the working arrangements adopted by businesses around the world
External factors include the desire amongst workers to achieve a better work-life balance and rapid technological developments
Internal factors differ from business to business and may include changes in organisational structure, business objectives and attitude to meeting stakeholders' needs
Diagram: changes in the working environment
Changes in Working Patterns
For many years, employees were locked into a system of working from the office for the hours of 9-5
Recently, a number of factors have changed the working patterns of many employees
Reasons for Changes in Working Patterns
New Trend | Explanation |
---|---|
Remote, Hybrid and Flexible Working |
|
Gig Economy and Freelancing |
|
Emphasis on Work-Life Balance |
|
Changes in occupations |
|
Changes in Working Preferences
Workers are increasingly moving away from the traditional pattern of a full time, continuous career with the same employer
There are numerous ways in which employees are making changes to their working patterns
Diagram: changes to working patterns
Job sharing involves two or more employees work at different times to complete the tasks required for one job
Work is typically shared on a weekly basis, with job sharers communicating regularly to ensure tasks are not missed
This provides employees with flexibility whilst the employer benefits from the task being completed
Employees may take a career break where they decide to stop working for a period of time before returning to work in the same career
New parents often take career breaks until children are old enough to commence formal education
A sabbatical is a formalised career break, frequently used by employees to study or engage in other developmental activity such as travel
Downshifting involves a senior employee relinquishing their position to move to a lower-paid position with fewer responsibilities
Downshifting may occur when individuals change career or as workers approach retirement
Changes to Working Practices
The nature of work routines has changes significantly in recent years
Full-time roles with permanent contracts are in decline
A range of alternative work routines are growing in popularity
Diagram: changes to working routines
Teleworking involves working at home or from any other location away from the traditional workplace
Advances in communications technologies have allowed workers to work anywhere with a reliable internet connection
Worker may attend a workplace from time to time for meetings or other essential purposes
Flexitime allows employees to work a specific amount of hours of work at times of their own choosing
Workers can fit work tasks around their other responsibilities such as childcare
Part-time work is where employers work for fewer hours than those expected in a full time role
Employees on temporary contracts work for a business for a specific period of time, often through an employment agency
There are increased calls for businesses to offer the opportunity for employees to fulfil hours of work over four days of the week, rather than five
Between 2015 and 2019, Iceland ran a large 4-day workweek pilots with close to 2,500 people participating
The trial was considered an overwhelming success among researchers, with employees reporting improved well-being, work-life balance and productivity
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