5 Trends Shaping the Way We Work in 2023

Updated 8/7/2023

If you were in the workforce prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, you’re likely aware that the workplace has undergone major shifts.

While some things from the early days of the pandemic have faded (remember Zoom happy hours?) the way we work has changed drastically over the last three years. And since that initial lockdown, several trends have emerged in the work place with no sign of slowing down.

Things like…

Hybrid work and returning to the office
Prioritizing work-life balance
Emphasizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

…on top of rapid technological advancement, have created a domino effect of work trends that we anticipate lasting well into 2023 and beyond.

Here are five workplace trends that will continue to influence the way we work.

1. Hybrid Work, Returning to the Office, and Workplace Flexibility

The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed a major surge in remote work and has majorly changed the way we work. Because organizations had to adapt to the challenges of social distancing and remote collaboration, they discovered the benefits to remote work. But in 2023, many companies have eased workers back into the office with return-to-office policies and hybrid work options.

Hybrid work has its benefits for both employees and employers. These include:

Increased collaboration and connectivity
Better natural training scenarios
Work-life balance and flexibility in work environment

Studies out this year have found that workers are more productive in hybrid and fully in-person environments, too. Even Zoom is having some employees come into the office a couple of days per week! Another study found that up to 90 percent of companies will have hybrid arrangements by the end of 2023. The conversations around hybrid work and return-to-office trends will continue throughout 2023 and beyond. I

2. Work-life Balance and Employee Wellbeing

Speaking of work-life balance, employee well-being is another workplace trend that is here to stay in 2023.

In 2020, workers across the world were suddenly required work remote. Many struggled with the abrupt shift, finding it difficult to separate their work from their personal life—not to mention the widespread feeling of isolation.

Workers and their organizations alike were forced to do two things:

Find a way to maintain a work-life balance, despite their homes and offices becoming one in the same
Make a concerted effort to prioritize and invest in their mental health

Essentially, the changing workplace landscape led organizations and individuals to recognize the importance of maintaining a healthy equilibrium. And employers realized that supporting employee wellbeing can even be good for business—as it can boost productivity as well as strengthen retention rates and attract new talent.

As a result, flexible working hours, mental health resources, and wellness initiatives have gained momentum, embodying a collective recognition that caring for one another’s well-being is fundamental to building resilient and thriving workplaces.

3. Pay Transparency

Since 2020, pay transparency in job listings has more than doubled. In February 2020 only 18.3% of job listings included the salary, whereas in 2023 that number had risen to 43.7%.

This is in part due to an increase in state legislation requiring employers to share that information in job listings. These areas include cities in:

California
Colorado
New Jersey
Washington

However, pay transparency has spiked in the last year even in areas where these types of regulations are not new. These areas include cities in:

Florida
Utah
Idaho
New Mexico

Regulations aside, this is proving to be a favorable work trend for many hiring managers as job seekers are considerably more likely to apply for a role that lists pay range. And with that, pay transparency seems to be another trend that will continue shaping the workplace in 2023.

4. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB)

The discussion of DEI in the workplace has ramped up significantly over the past few years. Belonging in the workplace is additional concept involved in the conversation.

Although it has always been vital, it has become more of a priority for organizations amid increasing demand from workers. This is especially true for companies who want to attract fresh talent, as Millennial and Gen Z workers are more likely to work for companies that have strong DEI principles.

While initiatives may vary, many of corporate DEI efforts so far have included:

Building diverse workforces. Recruiting and hiring employees from underrepresented groups to foster a wider range of perspectives and experiences, while also boosting underrepresented voices.
Increasing inclusivity in the workplace. Creating an environment where all employees feel welcome, respected, and valued regardless of their background.
Implementing more equitable policies and standards. Ensuring that any and all business practices are created with every employee in mind, so each person has the same opportunities for success.

Remote and hybrid work options have lended support to these goals, as it removes certain barriers to work that many underrepresented groups face. Companies will keep working towards and promoting a more positive, productive, and innovative work environment with their DEI practices.

RELATED: Healthcare IT Trends in 2023

5. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

This final workplace trend is less connected to the pandemic, and more so tied to the continued technological advancement we’ve experienced in the last few years.

While artificial intelligence (AI) may have seemed to emerge out of nowhere this year—it’s a work trend that’s been in the works for a little while and won’t be slowing down any time soon.

In conjunction with machine learning, AI is already being used to automate tasks at work, improve decision-making, and create new products and services. Already, companies are using AI-powered chatbots that can provide customer service 24/7 and create personalized experiences for customers. While some employees might feel concerned AI will make their jobs redundant, it also has the potential to create new opportunities.

Given its quick ascent, AI will continue to change the way you work as the year progresses.

Focus on Employees

The way companies attract and retain talent is changing rapidly—and mostly for the better. These work trends reflect a general, collective drive toward creating supportive, inclusive, and adaptable environments that prioritize the well-being of employees.

If your company needs help navigating these 2023 workplace trends to meet job seeker demands and attract the right talent, reach out to Insight Global. We offer full service staffing solutions, including culture consultations, job description creation, and more.