The 5 workplace trends for 2017 that you need to know

Out with the old, in with the new. These are the big workplace trends for 2017.

Few people predicted the world-changing events that took place in 2016. And we have yet to see how these changes will play out over the next year and years to come, which should make us cautious about future predictions! But there are some clear trends taking place in workplaces globally which we feel safe putting our money on. Here are our predictions for 5 big workplace trends for 2017.

Custom benefits and perks

The standard benefits package is dying a slow death. Companies are realising that, in order to attract the best talent, they need to tailor their employee benefits packages to the individual. We’ll see more HR departments crafting unique packages and adding on special perks and big bonuses to bring in top talent in 2017.

Continuous performance reviews

Thanks to new technology and digital platforms for appraisal systems, we’ll see more annual performance reviews replaced by continuous reviews. Already millennials are receiving feedback regularly as opposed to once or twice a year. This is good news, especially since 25% of employees do not feel that annual reviews help their performance. Instead of monthly objectives sitting separate from annual reviews, the continuous system brings everything together and has the potential to significantly boost productivity.

Augmented and virtual reality

We’re not talking about Pokémon Go on your lunch break. With augmented and virtual reality experiences on the rise, we expect businesses – particularly HR departments – to adopt much of this technology in 2017. Want to give your prospective employees a feel for what it’s like in the office? AR is a cost effective solution. Need to train your global teams in a new method? AR/VR is more engaging and less expensive than hiring a trainer to go to each location.

Consulting and freelance market

The last year saw increases in co-working spaces and collaborative digital tools, all making it easier for people to work remotely and more flexibly. In 2017, we’re going to see more people leaving their ‘safe’ full-time jobs to go it alone, even leaving their industry altogether.

War for talent

The average tenure for employees is less than five years, and if you’re talking about millennials, it’s more like two years. The majority of full-time employees are either actively looking for a new job or open to opportunities, which means the war for talent is heating up. In an effort to retain their talent, companies will focus more on the employee experience in 2017. Things like employee engagement, well-being, company culture and values will all be high-priority.

How can we help?

We build relationships to support your business and career aspirations. Whether you’re looking to recruit a great team or find your dream job, we can help. Contact us for a confidential discussion today.