The emergence of Covid-19 and the response of governments across the world have radically changed the way we live and work. But while these changes are perceived as sudden, the truth is, the pandemic has simply accelerated trends already underway. Furthermore bringing the future of work into the present.

So, what can we expect in the years to come? Let’s have a look at how the pandemic is impacting the future of work and the major trends that will shape our new way of working.

Greater flexibility and remote work

Remote work has been one of the biggest changes that have turned our lives upside down during the pandemic.

The world was already embracing this change long before lockdown. With companies offering work-from-home arrangements, digital nomads working from their laptops while traveling the world, and the boom of co-working spaces. However, with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of people working from home skyrocketed.

According to LinkedIn, remote job postings have nearly tripled since March, as employers around the globe have been adapting to the new reality. Also, remote job searches have increased by 60%, and applications have more than doubled.

What we see now is that this new normal isn’t temporary:

  • Big tech companies like Apple, Facebook, and Twitter have indicated that work from home is here to stay and that much of their workforce won’t be returning to the office anytime soon.
  • In surveys last year, 80% of respondents confirmed they would turn down a job that didn’t offer flexible working options. 85% of businesses said they are more productive as a result of flexible working.

With that in mind, the real question is no longer “is remote work here to stay?” but rather, “what trends can we expect to see in this remote work world?”

Automation, AI, and the skills of tomorrow

According to the World Economic Forum, more than 1 billion jobs are likely to be transformed by technology in the next decade.

Automation and AI are set to streamline repetitive tasks and make some traditional jobs obsolete, but at the same time, new roles will emerge. We are already seeing this happen. Just think of the apps we use to shop, track orders, or simply stay informed. Well, stores need to keep them up and running at all hours.

This brings an unprecedented rise in new kinds of digital jobs, mainly roles at the forefront of the data and AI economy, new roles in engineering, cloud computing, and product development, as well as green economy jobs.

In this scenario, the demand for mathematics, computing, and data analysis will grow, as well as the need for human attributes like creativity, critical thinking, communication, and negotiation.

The pandemic not only has accelerated the pace of AI innovation but has also accelerated the need for certain skill sets, both hard and soft. From mastering new technologies to remotely managing business relationships and collaborating virtually with colleagues, the need for upskilling and reskilling employees is only growing.

A new report from MIT Technology Review, which explored the extent to which different jobs could be supported by AI, found that between 32 and 50 million US jobs could be increasingly assisted by technology to reduce health risks posed by human interaction and safeguard productivity in a time of crisis.

But as digital technology opens up new levels of efficiency, speed, and productivity, it also requires us to update the way we think, plan and collaborate: in the workplace of the future, everything will be more flexible, more digitized, and more intelligent, with workers expecting a higher level of autonomy.

Employee experience

Workers are not the only ones who need to worry about upgrading their skills. Companies, too, need to find new ways to appeal to a new generation of workers: Generation Z.

Born after 1996, Gen Z is the generational cohort following Millennials. As digital natives, they have never known a world without the internet and social media and are bringing both their technological experience and expectations to the workplace. But how is the relationship between employees and employers going to change?

In a global survey, most Gen Z respondents said it was important for them to work for a company that allowed them to make a difference and aligned with their social values. The pandemic has now reinforced their desire to help drive positive change in their communities and around the world.

In conclusion, companies that prioritize the gender pay gap, care about social concerns, such as climate change, and ensure all employees have more autonomy and an equal path to promotion can expect to have more success.

At UTOPIC0DE, we are on a mission to match tech companies with skilled tech talent, enabling them to make an impact through technology. For this reason, the future of work is a topic we really care about.

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