Our 2019 workplace predictions may be called, The Employee Strikes Back. Low unemployment provides employees options for where they work and smart employers will focus on employee retention.
In the past, a new title or a pay bump was all you needed to get the job done. But the game is changing.
Nowadays, businesses may no longer be able to afford a salary boost and employees may be interested in benefits outside their paycheck. So folks will have to get creative to maintain harmony.
Consider our 2019 workplace predictions and whether they can be applied to your organization:
2019 Workplace Predictions: Unplug Employees
For many years, extra time equaled extra work. Armed with mobile devices, work hours became blurred and the workweek invaded weekends and vacations.
Smart leaders will realize there is a huge benefit to making sure employees go home on time. You may discover that when you take away the option of working late or constantly, the same work gets done.
As a TV news reporter, when I had a deadline, I had to get my stories done by that time. While I might have enjoyed taking longer, the deadline forced me to get the job done.
By following this practice, you also won’t have to replace employees who are fed up with never being able to unplug. Think of employee time on the job as a resource that should be spent wisely. Set and police time spent on work. The boundaries are important to maintain.
2019 Workplace Predictions: Strategic Training Will Grow
The right training can save a business time and money, as well as boost employee engagement and retention. In the past, some saw training as a reward for an employee. He or she would be sent to a conference and no one minded if more time was spent at the pool, than in sessions.
Now, people recognize the opportunity to get better can help their career, in their current position or down the road.
Employers will be smart to spend more on training but it will likely come with a catch. They’ll want their team members to make a case for the investment and then demonstrate the return on investment.
The days of employees just saying, “I learned a lot at the conference,” are probably over. Those who can communicate the need and show the positive outcomes of more learning will prosper.
2019 Workplace Predictions: Employee Onboarding Evolves
Leaders will start developing employee training programs before they’re needed. Often, a new employee’s introduction to the business comes at a time when there’s a staffing deficit, from the departed employee, and knowledge of the vacant position is uncertain. This limits the new hire’s success and productivity.
Current employees will work with their supervisors to design a training program, which will help a new employee succeed and contribute faster.
While some employees may feel weird designing a training program for their replacement, the process will also future proof a position.
Unexpectedly, a family emergency, an illness, or some other issue may take an employee out of the business for an extended time. While no one likes to think of this happening, does it not make sense to have a backup or insurance plan for the job?
This technique is also a way to build consistency for those organizations where multiple people perform the same jobs.
If you enjoyed these predictions, you may also enjoy my guest predictions for the printing industry.
