Having a laptop, mobile phone and access to the internet is often enough for most knowledge workers to be able to do their work when and where they want and to be able to contact their colleagues via the telephone, a video call or by collaboration using platforms such as Microsoft Teams. Technological progress makes this possible and easier, but labor market trends certainly affect how fast this progress occurs. Therefore, we will cover three significant ones in this blog.
1. More people will work as a freelancer or flex worker
Where we used to be massively employed by one organization, nowadays more and more people work as freelancers or flex workers. IDC predicts that as many as 45% of all people working in 2025 will be self-employed. There are two main reasons for this. On the one hand, work within organizations is becoming increasingly project-based, with many organizations hiring specialists for the duration of a project. On the other hand, more and more people find a better work-life balance important and thus, they want the freedom to work where and whenever they want. This means that companies must not only ensure that employees work well together in the office, but also remotely.
2. War for Talent as an extra incentive to innovate
In general, but especially within the IT sector, it is almost impossible to bind new talents to your organization. This "war for talent" ensures that organizations must distinguish themselves as an employer. The competition is huge and without a strong employer brand you can no longer survive these days. Providing an office location with spaces, facilities and technology that suit the needs of employees and visitors contributes to your corporate image, making it easier to recruit new employees. You could say that the “war for talent” increases the need for organizations to innovate, with a positive effect on the way in which employees can work together.
3. Generation-Z enters the labor market
It has been some time since generation Y, better known as the millennials, entered the job market. A new generation Z (born between 1995 and 2010) is ready to take over and the first pioneering companies have already opened their doors. For this group of young people, things like a smartphone and access to the internet are just as obvious as cycling. Are companies sufficiently prepared for their wishes and expectations? Companies that dare to look ahead are wise to start working on this!
