Much has changed within the workplace over the last several years as companies have become increasingly dispersed, more dependent on ever-changing technology, and are adapting to new, dynamic work environments. Because of this, we will continue to see more trends emerge throughout 2023, particularly in the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) space.
Workplace “trends” has become somewhat of a buzzword, so how can we define it? The trends we will see in 2023 are shifts in the way of doing business that we should expect to see based around current changes to the workplace and company culture. Often we see trends appear in the form of identifiable patterns, such as datasets surrounding employee satisfaction, retention rates, etc.
Here are the top five workplace trends businesses should be aware of in 2023 and how they translate into building an effective DEI strategy.
The first question to consider is what makes for a truly great employee experience. This is the perfect opportunity for business owners and HR leaders to set aside time to hear what their employees have to say, which can come in the form of surveys, focus groups, round-table discussions, and more.
Some of the top areas employees across the country have reported as highly important for a current or prospective company include prioritizing appropriate work-life balance, support for growth and promotion within the company, and implementing workplace wellness programs for mental health support. In fact, 77% of workers believe a wellness program will have a significantly positive impact on company culture.
Learning and development (L&D) programs are seeing drastic changes and adaptation requirements due to remote and hybrid work environments, which has a large impact on the processes of onboarding, training, and coaching. A few of the top L&D trends to expect in 2023 include:
DEI is all about creating fairness and a sense of belonging for all employees, no matter their background, demographics, etc. When employees feel a sense of belonging at work, it increases satisfaction, performance, and overall productivity. Consider these factors when addressing your DEI goals:
Prioritizing DEI initiatives should not fall on one person — instead, organizations should ensure they are bringing in multiple people or groups to tackle these projects. It’s important to make it easy for employees to participate in DEI initiatives, whether it by on a council or as a volunteer to assist as needed. Circa’s whitepaper, How to Embed & Operationalize DEI in Your Organization, is a great guide to help take your DEI initiatives to the next level.
Doing more with less requires creativity, but employers can show up for their team without drastically upping spending. Consider things such as:
The past few years have revealed that employees expect flexibility and personalization when, where, and how they work — and now, how they learn.
Especially in the wake of The Great Resignation of 2021 and the “quiet quitting” movement, organizations should be placing a strong emphasis on supporting current employees. Lattice’s people strategy report found that 84% of HR teams are investing more in employee retention than they have previously, and 61% are prioritizing it over talent acquisition.
A wave of recent layoffs has caused distress and lower confidence in existing employees and can result in disengagement and productivity loss. It’s critical to continue to remind employees how much they matter, how much value they bring to the company, and that they are being prioritized all throughout the employee lifecycle.
As we continue through 2023 and beyond, these trends will remain paramount. At Circa, we help organizations build a strong company culture, prioritize DEI, and accelerate their success. Learn how we can help today!
