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Predictions for 2015: Flexible work arrangements top list

 
Published Jan. 21, 2015

In 2015, with the continued improvement of technology, using flexibility without formal structure is one of the workplace trends I foresee gaining ground. I see some other workplace trends, too. While there are challenges for employers and workers, there also are opportunities in 2015 for those who stay relevant, nimble and plugged into their networks.

Here are my predictions:

Employees will quietly use flexibility.

While many companies are setting policies on flexible work arrangements, their workers are quietly working from outside the office whenever possible. Working where you want or when you want and is a perk employees will put a premium on in 2015. Those workers who can work from home on occasion tell me they plan to stay in their jobs as long as possible, because not having that flexibility would cost them in commute time, babysitter fees or missed parenting opportunities. Most workers say they are more productive on the days they work from home.

Job-hopping will pick up.

According to a survey by career management experts Right Management, 86 percent of workers in North America say they plan to explore opportunities and actively look for a new job this year. That's a big increase from just 60 percent at the peak of the recession in 2009. At the same time, employers are expressing new interest to fill positions. "Companies are working their networks to find applicants," said Paul McDonald, senior executive director for Robert Half, which specializes in the placement of professionals. McDonald notes that some companies will reach out to recruit former employees who have gained key skills after they left and lure them back with higher positions and bigger paychecks.

With the job market more active in 2015, companies will invest in more training, culture building, and benefits to keep employees from leaving, McDonald says. "The savvy employers will focus on their retention strategies because they realize it's easier and less expensive to retain talent than find someone new and train him."

Bullying will emerge as a top workplace complaint.

With less leadership training for managers, employees are complaining that team leaders lack social skills and have turned to abusive conduct to get the job done. A poll by CareerBuilder found that 28 percent of workers feel that they have been bullied at work and 19 percent of those workers have left their jobs because of the bullying. Laws specifically designed to prohibit workplace bullying have been introduced in at least 26 states. However, employers will need to design and implement policies to stay one-step ahead of this trend.

People will want to be paid for hours they work.

The author of a new litigation trends report calls wage and hour lawsuits the No. 1 headache for employers in 2015. The report warns that employers can expect to see more off-the-clock litigation brought by non-salaried (non-exempt) employees who seek pay for work while off duty, particularly work-related use of mobile electronic devices. Because of so many gray areas within the wage and hour laws, and an active plaintiff's bar, this area will continue to be a big source of litigation, says Tom Loffredo, a labor and employment lawyer. Loffredo says employers will need to continuously review and update employee classifications to make sure that employees are properly compensated. Employees will need to monitor and ensure that they are being paid accurately for their time, and comply with time keeping procedures.

Businesses will invest in social media training and strategy.

As companies start to realize the benefits of social media, more employees will use social media skills for marketing, customer service, social selling and recruitment. Experts say this will take social media management out of the hands of the marketing teams and disperse it throughout organizations.

Managers will confront the challenges of a multigenerational workforce.

For years now, we see issues arise when four generations of employees work side by side. In 2015, workplace experts believe businesses will have to work harder to meld differing perspectives, assumptions and skills. At the same time, big changes are under way in office demographics. The Workforce Institute at Kronos notes that this year baby boomers — the largest generation to ever hit the workforce — will begin retiring in droves. As they do, Generation Xers could get their long-awaited pay raises and promotions and millennials could take on management positions for the first time.