Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began, businesses have been shutting down and most of the world has been facing an economic recession. As a result, there has been an increase in unemployment. As the world slowly recovers, we notice a rise in new trends in hiring, training and improvements in the workplace.
At CBL, we have compiled a list of the top 13 trends that employees should know in the workplace. In this way, you will be prepared for whatever you face in the corporate world.
Trends in Employee Training
“The only thing worse than training your employees and having them leave is not training them and having them stay.” – Henry Ford
There is now an excess supply of workers and less demand for the workforce. Therefore, there is a need for employees to hone new skills so that they may stand out to employers. Here are some trends in training you should know.
1) Soft-skills
One of the first trends in employee training that we noticed is the preference for soft skills compared to hard skills. Soft skills, such as empathy, emotional intelligence, creativity and communication, cannot be compared to degrees. However, soft talents also cannot be assessed through a résumé or an interview. Soon, Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be used to assess these skills in applicants.
2) Training Employees
Most trained employees are natural learners with a desire for constant self-development. They make happier and more engaged workers. More and more, employers are providing the best workplace culture to support these types of employees. If they don’t, the top talents will look elsewhere.
3) Rise of Employment
With companies providing training after recruitment, job seekers are getting more opportunities than ever before. However, while this may be good news for job seekers, it is not good news for recruiters as it makes the hiring process difficult.
4) Alternative Candidates
An alternative candidate is not the perfect candidate for the recruiter. Rather, it is the willing person who can be trained to learn the skills needed for the job. After all, the gap between job seekers’ skills and the skills that recruiters need is only widening.
5) Data Privacy Training
Even popular social media apps like Facebook are under fire because of privacy issues. This shows that despite all the technological advances, our data is still at risk. New technologies suggest that huge organizations will continuously need to work on protecting their data. For this reason, data privacy training has become crucial for employees.
6) Predictive Analytics
Predictive analytics allow employers to start recognizing their valuable employees. Also, employers are able to identify areas of growth and the employees or departments that are not performing well. They then make decisions like providing training to improve productivity.
Trends in Improving Working Conditions
7) Wage Growth
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, salary growth in the workforce has been the fastest in 9 years. The Conference Board also reports that businesses are expected to give the biggest raises in 2022 with an average of 3.9 percent. This is the fastest wage growth since 2008 and more firms are following the salary increase trend.
8) Work Flexibility
Work flexibility is becoming the norm and technology is partly involved in this change. For example, Dell has saved an average of $12 million annually through its flexible work program. This type of program also helps employees achieve a better work-life balance.
9) Protection Against Harassment
As an employer, it is your ethical and legal responsibility to protect your employees from all types of bullying and harassment. Employers are working more on policies and actions that overcome harassment and build a supportive culture in the workplace.
Trends in Hiring
10) Diversity in Hiring
Diversity has always been a trend. This is because workplace diversity is an asset for a company and its employees. In the age of globalization, it is not limited to gender, race and ethnicity. It also concerns educational background, religious and political beliefs, sexual orientation, culture and disability. As a matter of fact, 78% of businesses already believe in a diverse workforce. This employment trend will not slow down anytime soon.
11) Hiring Blindly
Any type of discrimination can lead to unconscious prejudice in interviews. To avoid this, the first wave of interviews are being done without hiring managers’ knowledge of this type of information. Rather, they only know about candidates’ skills and achievements.
12) Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Hiring Process
As AI becomes more popular in the hiring process, it’s more important than ever to tailor your application to the position and company for which you’re applying. This is important as keyword scanners, for example, are making the difference between moving an application to the next level or rejecting it.
13) Attracting Job Seekers
The job market is highly competitive, not only for job seekers but also for recruiters. According to LinkedIn, job seekers survey an organization’s reputation before applying for a job. Employees no longer work just for money; they want to prosper and be happy at work. Flexibility, vacations and bonuses are great ways to make your workplace more attractive.
Final Thoughts
In this article, we looked at the 13 trends that employees need to know in 2022. With the passage of time, it’s becoming evident that efficient management isn’t just about paying employees well. It’s about realizing their needs and treating them with fairness, dignity and respect. Employees are benefiting from improvements in their work culture and this is resulting in more innovation and productivity.
As change is inevitable, employees must learn to adapt and welcome the changes in the corporate world. At Coaching for Better Learning, you can get personalized expert services and support in your career growth. Our career coaches and well-researched resources will help you to make the right choice through personalized counseling and general guidance.
