Recent Trends in Workplace Change (DP IB Business Management): Revision Note

Recent trends in workplace change

• Both internal and external factors have contributed to a range of developments in the working arrangements adopted by businesses around the world

  • External factors include the desire amongst workers to achieve a better work-life balance and rapid technological developments

  • Internal factors differ from business to business and may include changes in organisational structure, business objectives and attitude to meeting stakeholders' needs 

Changes in the working environment

Changes in working patterns

• For many years, employees were locked into a system of working from the office for the hours of 9-5

• Recently, a number of factors have changed the working patterns of many employees

Remote, hybrid and flexible working

• During the Covid pandemic, many organisations shifted to remote work to maintain business operations and protect employee health

  • Employees worked from home and many continue to do so even post-pandemic

• Flexible work arrangements such as flextime and compressed workweeks (e.g. completing full-time hours in four days) have become more widespread

• Many companies have adopted hybrid work models, where employees work remotely for part of the week and attend the office for meetings or collaborative tasks

• These changes give employees greater control over their schedules and working environment

Gig economy and freelancing

• A growing number of people are choosing freelance or contract work over traditional employment

• Digital platforms have made it easier to access freelance jobs and connect with clients globally

• Workers benefit from greater flexibility and autonomy, allowing them to choose projects and set their own working hours

Emphasis on work-life balance

• Employees are prioritising flexible working arrangements that allow them to better balance personal and professional responsibilities

• In response, many employers have introduced policies that support work-life balance

• These include wellness programmes, family-friendly policies and access to mental health resources

Changes in occupations

• Technological advancements have reduced the demand for certain roles, including telephone operators, word processors and travel agents

• At the same time, there is a growing need for workers in digital fields, particularly software programmers and digital marketers

Changes in working preferences

• Workers are increasingly moving away from the traditional pattern of a full time, continuous career with the same employer
  

• There are numerous ways in which employees are making changes to their working patterns 

Changes to working patterns

• Job sharing involves two or more employees work at different times to complete the tasks required for one job

  • Work is typically shared on a weekly basis, with job sharers communicating regularly to ensure tasks are not missed 

  • This provides employees with flexibility whilst the employer benefits from the task being completed

• Employees may take a career break where they decide to stop working for a period of time before returning to work in the same career

  • New parents often take career breaks until children are old enough to commence formal education 

  • A sabbatical is a formalised career break, frequently used by employees to study or engage in other developmental activity such as travel

• Downshifting involves a senior employee relinquishing their position to move to a lower-paid position with fewer responsibilities

  • Downshifting may occur when individuals change career or as workers approach retirement

Changes to working practices

• The nature of work routines has changes significantly in recent years

  • Full-time roles with permanent contracts are in decline

  • A range of alternative work routines are growing in popularity

Changes to working routines

• Teleworking involves working at home or from any other location away from the traditional workplace

  • Advances in communications technologies have allowed workers to work anywhere with a reliable internet connection

  • Worker may attend a workplace from time to time for meetings or other essential purposes

• Flexitime allows employees to work a specific amount of hours of work at times of their own choosing

  • Workers can fit work tasks around their other responsibilities such as childcare

• Part-time work is where employers work for fewer hours than those expected in a full time role

• Employees on temporary contracts work for a business for a specific period of time, often through an employment agency

• There are increased calls for businesses to offer the opportunity for employees to fulfil hours of work over four days of the week, rather than five

  • Between 2015 and 2019, Iceland ran a large 4-day workweek pilots with close to 2,500 people participating

  • The trial was considered an overwhelming success among researchers, with employees reporting improved well-being, work-life balance and productivity