Between the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the Great Resignation, business owners, managers and leaders have had to deal with a lot in 2021. These same issues will continue to impact and cause change in the workplace in the coming year. 

If these past years have proved anything, it’s that it is very difficult to foresee what will happen in the future. But we can still make confident predictions about what trends will take hold in the workplace in 2022. 

Here are some of the workplace trends you will likely see in 2022:

Hybrid and Remote Work Made Permanent 

At the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, everyone thought the move to remote work was a minor detour. Most predicted we would be back in the office in a matter of months. We now know those predictions proved false and many businesses are still working remote today. 

With employee and health top of mind, many businesses are moving to make hybrid or remote work permanent for the foreseeable future. According to a study by WeWork, 79% of leaders are instituting a hybrid model for those employees whose jobs allow them to work remotely.  

Employee Recruitment and Retention 

As the Great Resignation continues, businesses are focusing on how to attract and retain top talent in the coming year. 

The pandemic led many employees to reevaluate their careers and work/life balance. The challenge for businesses is deciding how to adapt to the changing employment landscape. While it’s still important to offer competitive compensation and benefits, businesses should reevaluate their recruitment strategies to determine what else they could offer to attract and retain their workforce. 

No More Trendy Perks 

Before the pandemic caused massive upheaval in the workplace, businesses were constantly looking for ways to make their offices more comfortable and inviting. From beer on tap to ping pong tables to napping rooms, organizations were coming up with unique ways to entice employees to spend more time in the office. 

Obviously, things have changed dramatically. As businesses move to a hybrid or remote work model, the trendy perks of the past will no longer work to retain employees. Offering things like more parental leave, increased vacation days and flexible schedules will do more to retain talent in 2022. 

Emphasis on Upskilling the Workforce 

The move to hybrid models has accelerated the need for companies to increase the skill sets of their employees. Many employees may need to boost their tech skills as companies move everything to the cloud to accommodate remote work. Some may need increased cross-training to cover gaps in the workforce as businesses grapple with the ongoing talent shortage. Whatever additional skills employees might need, it is imperative that businesses begin offering opportunities for their workforce to build their skills. 

Get Help With Your Recruitment Strategies

It’s clear that intense competition for talent will only continue in 2022. The problem is, many businesses lack the time or resources needed to effectively recruit and hire talent. That’s why many companies choose to work with Burchard & Associates. We help companies in the St. Louis area find, recruit and hire top accounting and finance talent. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.