New technology is shaping the future of work

Long story short: What will work look like in the future?

May 13, 2022 11:00 AM

COVID has given employers and employees plenty of time to envision how they see the future of work.

In this week’s top stories, the world of work continues to adapt, as employers implement new technology and make cultural shifts. For many who have missed in-office dynamics, the metaverse could be a high-tech solution — employees may soon be “walking” around the office as avatars, “shaking hands” with colleagues, and attending virtual reality meetings, predicts David Whalen, CEO of Engage XR, a metaverse-building platform.

“The metaverse is a spatial way of communicating, where you feel like you're in the same room with somebody — you can bring in PowerPoint presentations, you can write on the blackboards and it's a more engaging environment,” he says.

But not everything about the future needs to be high-tech. To entice women back to work, employers need to invest in child care benefits and improve salary equity. Some states are doing better than others, as WalletHub rounded up the best and worst states for working moms.

And as new grads enter the workforce, they will naturally shape the future of work. Nearly two million people are expected to graduate with a bachelor’s degree this year — a career expert shares the industries most eager to hire them, and how they can stand out from the crowd.

See more from our top stories of the week:

How the metaverse will change the workplace

We may think we know what it means to work virtually, but the online workplace is evolving into nothing we’ve ever experienced before. By 2030, it’s anticipated that 5 billion people will interact on the metaverse — a collection of virtual reality experiences people can access online.

For employers, this is an opportunity to rethink how — and where — we work. From finding new ways to engage with colleagues, to attending virtual reality meetings, associate editor Paola Peralta spoke with David Whalen, CEO of Engage XR, a metaverse-building platform, on his predictions for the future.

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How the metaverse will change the workplace

HR 101: How to get a job as a new grad

New grads can take advantage of the opportunities from the Great Resignation, as long as they’ve done their homework first, says Stephanie Lovell, career expert and head of marketing at hiring app Hirect. From highlighting soft skills, to finding roles an employee can grow into, she shares her top tips for landing a job after graduation.

“There is a ton of opportunity and it's hard for companies to get talent because there's just so much demand right now,” Lovell says. “It’s all about positioning yourself and marketing yourself in the right way to be able to land some of those opportunities.”

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HR 101: How to get a job as a new grad

10 best and worst states for working moms

Between the rising costs of necessities like child care, housing and groceries, and the consistent gender pay gap, working moms have the cards stacked against them. The state they call home can make matters even worse.

Seventy percent of moms with children under 18 years old work or are looking for a job, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Associate editor Deanna Cuadra rounds up WalletHub’s best and worst states for moms to find work, based on factors like child care, professional opportunities and work-life balance.

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10 best and worst states for working moms

Weed at work: How HR leaders should handle the legalization of marijuana

As of April 2022, marijuana has been decriminalized in 31 states and is entirely legal in 20 of those states. How can employers navigate drug testing policies and promote drug-free workplaces in today's environment? Associate editor Paola Peralta explores how HR leaders can rewrite their policies to be inclusive of these laws, while still maintaining their own safety standards going forward.

“It’s challenging because if you work in a state where it's legal, you have to do your best to make sure that you're staying out of your employees' private lives while they engage in a legal activity off duty,” says Brett Gelbord, senior counsel with Dykema, focusing on labor and employment issues. “But you want to make sure that people are showing up to work with a clear head.”

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Weed at work: How HR leaders should handle the legalization of marijuana