Do the right thing: workplace trends in 2013


Business solutions expert Sodexo has released its 2013 report on key trends affecting the workplace.  The report combines insight from clients, academia, trade organisations, social media monitoring, literature reviews and surveys.  Physical resources and facilities, people and technology all combine to impact the effectiveness of the workplace and effective management of all three can improve performance and productivity.  The report identifies 12 key workplace trends, including:

  • Thriving in the cloud
  • The development of 21st century mentoring
  • New recruitment models
  • The importance of inclusion
A new era of recruitment - facilitated by social mediaThere have been radical changes in the way organisations engage with prospective employees in the last five years.  A recent study found that 92% of US companies use social media in their recruitment efforts.  70% of employers report having successfully hired a candidate through social media (up from 58% in 2010).  Social media also creates a two-way conversation between employers and potential employees, who can gain a more complete picture of their potential employer using ratings sites and other similar services.Flexible workplaces - ‘Integration 2.0'The needs of the 21st century workforce are more complex and dynamic.  Progressive organisations are looking to provide dynamic life/work ‘ecosystems' that provide flexible work options and contribute to the effectiveness - and wellbeing - of the workforce.  An example is in the development of more social space in workplaces and more multipurpose spaces that can flex to meet different demands.Do the right thing - the importance of valuesThe report notes that 35% of the US workforce claims to have been bullied at work - and emphasises how this can prevent people from excelling at work - hurting the bottom line of organisations as well as having damaging psychological effects on staff.86% of millennials entering the workforce now say they would consider leaving an employer whose values fell short of their expectations.  The report states that all four generations in the workforce see corporate social responsibility as a potential motivating factor at work.Harvard Business Review has also been discussing the importance of corporate social responsibility and its impact on profitability and sustainability.  Author Eric McNulty sees the role of business leaders as to be clear in setting and communicating their purpose and their values and being clear about how their business model can ensure financial viability.  This clarity is essential if ‘its leaders and followers are to know what is the right thing to do'.

Connect with InfoToday Europe



Newsletters

Most Popular