4 Emerging flexible working trends: What is in store for 2022?

As we progress into an increasingly digitized world, the concept of flexibility has taken center stage across industries. Much of the shock, and drastic overhaul, to the traditional work trends came at the hands of the pandemic but there is no denying that change was afoot. The modern workplace could not adhere to age-old standards and its limitations, especially since newer technological capabilities pushed companies to think outside the brick-and-mortar box. 

Given how work is conducted today, we are at an interesting crossroad. Do companies embrace complete flexibility, adopting remote-first strategies? Or is a hybrid approach better suited to the competitive landscape? Both have their merits, but it would seem that flexibility, in the form of remote working models, are in popular demand. As the numbers stand, one report found that 99% of people prefer to work remotely forever, while another report found that 77% of workers felt they were more productive in the WFH setting. 

Flexible work comes across as a win-win solution and it is very likely that this trend will not be phased out any time soon — or ever. The question is what’s in store for 2022? Here are some possible trends to expect. 

WFX: A likely mainstay for years to come

The concept of WFX suggests work from anywhere, so long as there is access to the internet. Stemming from the WFH model, WFX redefines the limits of remote work. Employees are all-in for such a model as it has the inherent benefit of flexibility and opens doors that were otherwise closed due to a lack of remote working possibilities. But WFX readiness isn’t at the acceptable levels from an HR standpoint. Even today, many struggle when handling all-virtual teams, as scattered network facilities, poor infrastructure, and inexperience act as roadblocks. Perhaps a sea change of these basic facilities will be the catalyst for global adoption. 

Asynchronous communication will be more popular

Historically, work was synchronous with communication, making the latter a key factor in productivity. But, as async workloads came to the fore, it wasn’t long before communication was untethered from the model, giving employees the flexibility to prioritize as they saw fit. This concept is best noticed with GitHub’s ‘we measure results, not hours’ policy. As remote working happens across different time zones, work gets done all the same without having collaboration take a hit. 

The upgraded home office – A soon-to-be standard

The pandemic forced companies to rethink their physical footprint, and many have ditched the idea of the office. As a result, the spotlight shifted to the next best thing— the home office. In early 2020, this may have looked like a well-lit space with a desk, good internet connectivity, and ergonomic tech. Going forward, companies are likely to pay more attention as they adopt either the hybrid or permanent remote work model. This means better infrastructure to enable work and ensure minimal downtime. Many companies are offering perks at shared working spaces, even ‘hotel desks’ to support the shift. 

Decentralization of the brick-and-mortar standard

Following the Hub and Spoke Model, flexible working in 2022 will not need an ‘office’. Digitally interlinked ecosystems are now doing away with the concept of these well-defined spaces, requiring companies to restructure accordingly. It is very likely that dedicated physical spaces for employees will get phased out and these spots will transform to serve as dedicated hubs for a wide range of company tasks. These may include hosting meetings, engaging in brainstorming sessions, celebrating milestones, and other such activities without the overarching burden of mandates. 

The virtual office is on the rise as well, altering the status quo on how administrative work gets done. These provide businesses with permanent digital real estate, replete with all the supportive services you would assume are needed otherwise, just in a more flexible medium. 

As the world inches closer to the end of the pandemic, it is important to know the trends that will define what the future will look like. As it stands, flexible work is here to stay and it is best that companies embrace the benefits on offer. Among the most important is the unrestricted access to a diverse talent pool, enabling seamless global expansion. For a strategic and efficient way to leverage remote teams, partner with Talent500. Access a network of the top IT professionals and build global workforces that deliver. Schedule a consultation today and stay ahead of the curve.

Resources

• https://hbr.org/2022/01/11-trends-that-will-shape-work-in-2022-and-beyond
• https://hrexecutive.com/b eyond-the-great-resignation-7-trends-that-will-shape-work-in-2022/
• https://www.jaga.com.au/2022-flexible-workplace-trends
• https://hbr.org/2014/01/to-raise-productivity-let-more-employees-work-from-home
• https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210217-is-it-bad-to-you-work-from-your-bed-for-a-year
• https://www.ltts.com/blog/work-anywhere-wfx-looking-beyond-pandemic#:~:text=WFX%20shatters%20the%20constraints%20of,or%20even%20a%20farm%2Dhouse.
• https://buffer.com/resources/asynchronous-communication/
• https://www.rolandberger.com/en/Insights/Publications/The-home-office-becomes-the-new-normal.html