As the world turns so does the workplace environment. Your out-of-date 1980s style cubicles and furniture featuring soft pastels aren’t as welcoming or productive as they used to be. That’s why it’s time to start reimagining your office and how you do business internally.
STS Staffing has noticed a shift happening in big and small businesses this past year. And it’s more than just the furniture.
We want to give you a “boots on the ground” perspective of the culture shift we’re seeing across the country so you’re not losing employees to “cooler” (i.e. more modern) companies.
Here are our notable 2018 workplace trends that aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
1. Casual Work Environments
The workforce trend in recent years that really fires us up is the acceptance of an office game room with craft beer on tap. Just as we were adjusting to a Casual Friday dress code, here comes an idea that seems to be beyond the bounds of reason (play time and free beer at work?).
And yet, studies show that the casual atmosphere reduces stress, stimulates creativity, results in more team cohesion and makes for a happy workplace environment. Hiring reasonable people who know they are at work to produce results and not play beer pong all day largely negates the criticism of the office lounge as something akin to giving matches to pyromaniacs.
End result? Happier workers = higher productivity = more profitability.
2. Social Media Recruiting Strategy
It will come as no surprise that leveraging social media platforms to either passively or proactively recruit candidates for open jobs is a trend that will continue to grow in usage and sophistication.
In addition to your aunt posting pics of her cats on Facebook, you’ll also see more postings for available jobs. After all, if you want to recruit lots of people, then go where lots of people go.
3. Higher Pay and Better Benefits
This seems almost too silly to mention in an economy with around 4% unemployment, but it’s notable because it is the truest expression of good old supply and demand.
In working with our clients to fill open positions, we are continually asked about finding people in the midst of the current labor shortage. In the nicest way possible, we counsel our clients to pay more, and they get it.
Providing better benefits speaks for itself, but the trend toward government mandated benefits — i.e., minimum wages, living wages, paid time off, sick leave, etc. — have been on the rise, particularly in states like California and individually in cities and municipalities as well.
Unfortunately, the government imposing itself on your business drives the cost of doing business up, and that cost will presumably be passed along to the consumer. Many of whom vote.
4. Healthcare Related Jobs
Notable because, hey, we’re all getting older, right? Beyond that, however, we have seen a marked trend toward growth in managed care facilities and other medical institutions.
Beyond a growing need for skilled doctors and nurses, consider other jobs that go into helping those in nursing homes or “over 50” communities with a healthcare component. Those drawn to “people helping people” professions will enjoy full employment and opportunities for career growth in the coming years.
5. Continued Growth of Temporary & Contingent Staffing
We could also add “Gig Economy” here where people work on their own as independent contractors in various fields.
It’s estimated that about 10% of the workforce at any given time is working as a temporary, contract, or contingent worker. Some predictions show that a 25% increase could be the case by 2025, and we don’t disagree.
So, why is this? There are many factors from the standpoint of workers and employers, but the short version for employers is “Outsourcing Risk.” Consider the cost of benefits, insurance (to include workers compensation coverage), providing payroll, payment of employment-related taxes, adhering to and administering state and local regulations, etc., and you get a feel for why an employer would be committed to outsourcing a portion of its employee population.
For more information on this topic, and to discuss how STS Staffing can assist your organization with cost reduction, please contact us. We’d be happy to meet you in your employee lounge for a lively game of foosball.
