What will the
In honor of its 30th anniversary, job search engine Monster polled employees to find out their thoughts on the aspects of work that
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When it comes to where they will work, nearly a quarter of respondents said they planned to stay at one company, while almost half expect to switch jobs one to three times. Seven percent said they anticipated job-hopping to 10 or more organizations over the next several decades. The plan to find new employment at least a few times may have something to do with concern over financial well-being, as 62% of employees said they believe wages compared to cost of living would worsen over the next three decades.
While hard to predict exactly what will happen, these numbers should be a wake up call for employers, and an opportunity to set the tone for fewer future departures.
"Job seekers are usually looking for the top-paying salary, flexibility and support with career development, so one of the best ways to boost their pay is to leave," she says. "Paying employees fairly and equitably, recognizing them for a job well done, offering extra time off, bonuses and educational stipends — these are all ways to boost retention."
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As for the structure of work, employees predict that increased flexibility and a hybrid schedule will be very popular, with only 12% of respondents saying they believe the typical 9-5 hours will stick, and 46% said they anticipate seeing four-day workweeks becoming the norm. While workweeks may end up being shorter, the length of time people plan on working is growing: Almost one-in-three workers said they plan to work in some capacity past the age of 70.
That means employees will need financial support — just like they do today, Salemi says. It's also an opportunity to reconsider how to keep people employed for longer, whether that's embracing part-time work or other seasonal opportunities.
"Employers can offer financial support like financial literacy in saving and investments as well as 401(k) matching — not only offering a great retirement plan, but also making sure they're really competitive," she says. "As people live longer and want to continue to work, employers can think about what opportunities can be created for someone who's an incredible asset to the team, because they [already] have the business acumen, the skills, the experience and the job satisfaction."
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Employees don't anticipate the work environment they're staying in to get any better over time, however: 50% of employees think workplace burnout will increase and 40% believe work-life balance will worsen. A strong, ongoing focus on employee well-being will be essential to helping employees maintain their physical and mental health, today and decades down the line, says Salemi.
"Employers need to avoid a culture of burnout, which ultimately impacts the company's bottom line," she says. "Ensure people are not doing an insurmountable amount of work, and of the depth of support they need. Ask, 'How are you doing? How's your workload? What can I help you with? What can I do to create a culture that is supportive and safe?'"
The workplace of the future won't look wildly different than the ones employees are engaging with today, according to Monster's data. Employers should continue investing in programs that support well-being if they want to maintain the good work they've established so far, and support workers long-term.
"You want to incorporate healthiness into work culture," Salemi says. "Work will always provide a really important foundational structure for many people to have a routine and a community."
