Nobody has a magical, crystal ball that gives a solid prediction of what the future holds. If such a piece of equipment really did exist, would we have to wonder about anything? Surely, we would simply call the person responsible for the ball and ask the questions we wanted to know the answers to!

Whilst we can guess, understanding what the future may hold is really down to estimated predictions, based on trends and information to hand. Are these ever 100% correct? Not always, but the information they’re based on isn’t simply whim-like!

When it comes to predicting what the future of work will look like in ten years’ time, it’s interesting to note that some of the trends which are starting to make waves even now, are probably going to be huge and tsunami-like when 2030 arrives. 

You might wonder why you should bother thinking about ten years in the future, when you have enough business decisions to make in the here and now, but being prepared for changes will stand you in far better stead than if you simply decided to ‘wing it’ and see what happens. Do you think your competition are ‘winging it’? Certainly not!

The recent ‘Future of Work: Jobs And Skills in 2030’ study – performed by the UK Commission for Employment And Skills – noted some very interesting predictions for the future of how we work and how businesses will be run in 2030. The changes may not be seismic, but they are large enough to create problems if you don’t start laying the foundations now. In this guide, we’re going to talk about some of those notable predictions, and delve a little deeper into how this might affect business and employment for both the employer and the employee, as well as working out how you can minimise disruption and set yourself on target for sustained success, well past 2030!

Why Business Never Stands Still

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last few years you will no doubt have heard of a little thing called Brexit. 

At the time of writing, nobody still has a clue how Brexit is really going to impact on anything, but within a few months hopefully all of that will become clearer! What we do know is that Brexit is certainly going to have some effect on businesses who work with international concerns within the EU and further afield. This may also impact on those UK citizens working in the EU and EU citizens working in the UK.

Check out this video in which four global business experts talk about what they think Brexit will mean for business in the future. 

Brexit is certainly one of those situations which a magic fortune ball would help with!

Even without Brexit, business never stands still, because if it did, it would be bound to fail. Technology advances so fast that if you don’t stay ahead of the game and work with the programmes which benefit you, you’re quickly going to be taken over by your competition in terms of productivity and new ideas. A business which stays in the past and doesn’t move forwards isn’t attractive to new investors, clients, and certainly isn’t attractive to customers either. By not moving with the times, you’re flirting with failure. 

It’s not only technology we need to talk about, but working practices too. More and more people are choosing to work remotely, with an estimated 1.5 million UK citizens choosing to work from anywhere in the world currently, without the need for static office chairs. This looks set to continue, and when you think about the freedom and the benefits of this type of working, you can understand why. 

Whilst it might not be entirely practical to sit on a beach with your laptop on your knee and a Pina Colada in your hand, it doesn’t stop people trying!

Refusing to stay up to date with these changes forces a business into decline, but it’s vital that you read up about what may come your way, and adopt the best practices to overcome potential challenges. Aside from anything else, moving with the times helps to increase morale, which has direct links to productivity and profits. When morale is higher, there is also an increase in new ideas, which could push your business even further towards growth and success. 

Put simply, business doesn’t stand still whether you want it to or not; it’s a far better idea to simply go with it and see where it leads!

What Will Work Look Like in 2030? The Key Predictions

According to the Future of Work study, the following changes look set to come our way by the time 2030 rolls around: 

• Technology will continue to grow and evolve at a fast rate
• Flexible working will also continue to be more prevalent as time goes on
• The UK workforce will be older, more diverse, and increasingly female
• The UK workforce also looks set to go global, with the implementation of virtualisation
• Artificial intelligence and robotic technology will also continue to be developed and many products will be digitally manufactured by 2030
• Jobs will be interconnected across a global network, which leads to employees needing a hybrid range of skills
• Employees will be required to take responsibility for ensuring their skills and knowledge are up to date, through increased training and education
• The traditional jobs, such as administration and manual labour, are likely to become less prevalent, with alternative jobs taking their place, requiring different skills
• Employees with specialist skills will have more bargaining power within their organisation, but those within the lower skilled tier may find themselves with less say over their career future

Do any of those predictions surprise you?

Most of them aren’t jaw-dropping or shocking, and we certainly know that artificial intelligence is on the rise. We’ve been told for decades now that robots are going to come in and do the jobs of humans, but it’s yet to present itself as truth. Whilst this looks set to be more prevalent as 2030 arrives, there is no need to worry just yet. We’re going to cover this in a little more detail shorts, but for now, simply realise that whilst AI will be used more than it is now, it is certainly not going to render all humans without employment!

For a little more reassurance and information, check out this infographic

Source: www.aibusiness.com/infographic-5-ways-ai-will-changethe-future-work-2018

The types of skills required to do regular jobs also look set to change. It will be the employee’s responsibility to keep updating their skills and knowledge, as the required skills for traditional jobs look set to alter and diversify. The market is likely to become more widespread and even global. According to the study, 2/3 of investment bankers from the UK agree that the world’s centre for finance will be situated in Asia, as early as 2022. In that case, the UK’s centre could be relocated as far afield as Hong Kong. 

What does that mean? It means the ability to communicate and work with a wide range of professionals across the globe, presenting challenges as well as opportunities. Language skills will no doubt become more important than ever before, although English will no doubt still remain the international language of choice when it comes to the business world. Despite that, having a second language will be helpful when dealing with foreign investors and clients. This could be something which will set one employee apart from another when it comes to career growth and progression.

We’re also looking at an aging workforce, due to the fact that most us are going to have to work far longer than our parents and grandparents did, before we hit retirement age. The standard age for retirement in the UK will hit 67 by 2028, and who knows whether it will rise beyond that. We are working for longer and we are becoming older, so what does that mean for a business?

It means that businesses need to adapt and understand what it means to have a more mature workforce, whilst ensuring that new talent also find their way into the fray. Employees also look set to shoulder more responsibility than ever before, with the need for  quality self-management skills to get the job done. Whilst this all sounds very pressurised, there is some good news, and that comes in the form of flexible working. 

An aging workforce also means more choices, and flexible working looks set to continue to rise in popularity. More and more people are choosing to work flexibly, with arrangements such as:

• Working from home, either all the time or for some of the time
• Working remotely, e.g. from anywhere in the world
• Working full time or part term
• Annualised hours, e.g. working a set number of hours over the course of a year, but not at a stipulated time
• Reduced hours, perhaps due to an issue and on a temporary basis
• Zero hours, e.g. an as and when needed arrangement

We can also throw freelancing into the equation too, which is a self-employed pattern of working. 

According to the same study, by 2030 zero hour contracts will become part of the work norm. Currently 3.1% of the UK workforce are employed on this type of contract, but with more demands placed upon businesses and the aging workforce we’ve already mentioned, zero hours contracts will become a flexible option to use. The downside of this is uncertainty; zero hours are fine if you have no requirement to work for a salary, but they don’t give you the financial security you need otherwise. 

We should remember that these are predictions, and whilst they’re based on trends and statistics, nobody really knows 100% what is likely to happen for sure. The continued technological advances and flexible working popularity look sure bets, as well as the increased use of AI in the workplace, especially in production-based roles, but the looming uncertainty of Brexit also adds fuel to the fire.

The challenges of an aging workforce can’t be ignored, and the fact remains that not that many UK citizens can afford to give up work prematurely, without receiving their pension. As a result, we are going to have to work for longer than we probably expected when we started working x number of years ago. 

As we talk about working for longer, you might wonder, will retirement ever happen? Well, let’s not discuss that, it’s quite a depressing subject!

Why The Popularity of Flexible Working Looks Set to Continue

We mentioned that one of the key findings in the study was the popularity of flexible working continuing over the next decade. Because this has many advantages to both employer and employee, let’s focus on this subject for a short while. 

We’ve already outlined a few of the most popular flexible working options available, but what are the pro's and con's?

It really depends on the type of arrangement you go for and the type of role you have. Not everyone finds it easy to work away from the standard office environment, and loneliness and distractions can certainly become a huge issue. Despite that, working from home or working remotely, maybe even working part time, these are all ways which a greater home and work life balance can be achieved. 

This is another finding from the survey which we need to mention - that more employees will place a greater focus on achieving a quality home and work life balance than ever before. Whilst career will still continue to be important to most employees, an understanding of the importance of down time will also become prevalent. 

That’s no bad thing!

For a bit more information on why flexible working is a positive choice, check out this video. 

The study also tells us that mobile Internet is going to quickly overtake desktop usage, and that means most jobs can be done on the go, from wherever you like, whenever you like. This increases the likelihood that employees will work remotely, e.g. digital nomads and freelancers. All you need for this type of arrangement is a reliable Internet connection and a device which is suitable for you to complete the job you need to do. The continuation of technological advancements will also ensure that communication methods are more reliable than ever before, so staying in touch with the office won’t be a problem.

So, what are the pro's and con's of flexible working arrangements? Let’s explore.

The Pro's of Flexible Working

• More freedom to arrange your working life around your home life and any other commitments you may have, creating a greater work and home life balance
• A less stressful working method, which allows you to find your most productive time of the day
• No need to commute to work or pay for lunches, which saves you money
• Many studies have shown that those who work flexibly are actually more productive overall
• Businesses save money on overheads and the cost of office furniture for that particular employee
• If an employee is working on a freelancing contract, the business won’t need to pay pension contributions, holiday pay, or sick pay, saving even more money
• Less sick days experienced as a result of a happier working method and a decrease in stress, saving more money for the business

The Con's of Flexible Working

• Communication can be an issue in some cases, if the employee works hours which don’t match the office’s main hours
• Employers may feel they have less control over the work being done
• Employees may feel isolated or lonely, when they have been used to working with a busy and vibrant office environment
• Employees will need to have strong self motivation skills to get the job done and avoid distractions which can become overwhelming
• A home office will need to be set up, or the employee will need to find a suitable co-working space, to ensure they have access to comfortable and supportive furniture, such as ergonomic chairs or stand height tables
• If working from home, it can be quite hard to switch off from work mode to home mode, and the temptation to continue working beyond your set hours can be quite difficult to avoid
• Less contact with colleagues in the office means less ‘in person’ collaboration and team work, leaving flexible workers possibly feeling out of the loop

There are pro's and con's to every working situation, but the pro's of flexible working tend to outweigh the several cons we have listed. The flexibility and balance is really what pulls most people towards choosing this type of arrangement, and the cons can be side-stepped with proper motivation and planning. If an employee is working from home, it is vital that they choose the best office furniture for their needs, to avoid aches and strains and also to ensure they stay motivated and in the working frame of mind. 

Flexible working certainly isn’t for everyone, and if you’re someone who finds it difficult to motivate themselves when distractions come a-knocking, then you’re probably not going to thrive that well in a home working situation. Similarly, if you plan to travel whilst working, are you going to have your head turned by exotic beaches and sightseeing opportunities, when you should be doing the work you promised to do? 

These are questions every employee needs to ask themselves before asking for to work from home or remotely, but of course there are other choices too, such as part time working or annualised hours. Whilst an employer is not required to accept every request and grant it, they are required by employment law to consider it fairly and within an appropriate timescale.

According to the study and the trends we’ve seen lately, employers are probably going to be receiving more requests of this type in the near future!

How Businesses Can Prepare For Future Changes

The changes we’ve outlined are both positive and negative in part. All changes create challenges, but being prepared and understanding what to expect is a good starting point. 

The main preparation points for businesses between now and 2030 are: 

• Reviewing job roles and ensuring that employees have the skills required for longevity
• Understanding that an aging workforce also means focusing on health and wellness within the workplace
• Staying up to date with possible changes in technology and assessing whether new programs will bring extra benefits or not
• Review recruitment procedures and ensure that new talent continues to be attracted to the business, ensuring the current workforce continue to stay forward-thinking, allowing new staff members to learn from experienced staff too
• Preparing for a diverse workforce and offering diversity training to all staff members, ensuring an inclusive environment
• Looking into flexible working arrangements which may work for the organisation and offering these as necessary to employees
• Moving towards possible changes, and not shying away from them out of tradition or fear

That might seem like a lot of work to be done, and it is, but it is an ongoing procedure which can be done in small, bite-sized chunks. Technology will flit into and out of a business’ gaze constantly, but paying attention to the specific programs which will benefit the organisation should be the prime aim. This means staying up to date with changes, reviewing them, perhaps trying them out, and then making an informed decision on which ones to go with, and which ones to pass over. 

It’s important to simply avoid trying something new because your current system ‘works just fine’. ‘Just fine’ is not going to see your business growing or surviving when 2030 arrives and everyone else has purchased the most high-tech options around! It’s about being aware, and making informed choices, whilst not jumping simply for the sake of it. 

Within this, it’s important to continually review job roles and ensure that employees are given access to training and development to keep them up to date. Shortly we’re going to talk about how one of the main trends in the future of work prediction study is that employees will need to take personal responsibility for their own training and development needs, but that doesn’t mean that a business can’t make it easier by offering them choices!

Reviewing job roles doesn’t mean potential cuts of employment, it means simply checking whether the way a person is working is still relevant right now, and assessing whether it will continue to be relevant in ten years’ time. Making small changes is far easier to deal with than huge, sweeping changes, and employee morale is far less likely to be affected as a result. Supporting employees in their role and asking their opinions on whether they think it could be performed better is also a great way to help employees feel part and parcel of a business which is growing towards success, maintaining its ‘family’ feel. 

Of course, we’ve mentioned that the workforce is going to be aging, due to an increased retirement age threshold. As a result, employers need to focus on health and wellbeing of employees, to support them in their role and outside of it. A few suggestions include: 

• Creating zones within the office to ensure that everyone has the right surroundings for the task they need to complete. This reduces stress, so think about installing office dividers for those who want to sit and concentrate, and perhaps acoustic panels to absorb the noise of nearby brainstorming and collaboration work
• Raising awareness of healthy eating, perhaps by offering healthier food options in the canteen and offering fruit as snacks
• Encouraging staff to drink more water throughout the day, and installing water fountains within the office itself
• Encouraging active working methods, such as going for walks outside on lunch breaks, walking to work rather than driving, active seating methods, walking meetings, standing desks, taking the stairs rather than the lift, etc, and highlighting why all of this is important
• Ensuring comfortable desks and chairs for employees, ergonomic if possible, to avoid aches and strains at the end of the day
• Encouraging staff to speak up if they are struggling with their work environment, and then working to fix whatever the issue is, perhaps by using bespoke office desks, adjusted to personal requirements
• Having an ‘open door’ policy so employees feel able to approach their manager whenever they want to talk about anything that may be bothering them
• Offering confidential counselling services
• Raising awareness of the risks of a sedentary lifestyle and encouraging staff to use the methods to avoid issues
• Highlighting smoking cessation advice

The list goes on and on. Here at Calibre Office Furniture, we’re very passionate about ensuring the health and wellbeing of our employees, because we know that healthy employees are happy employees, and they are also productive employees! 

For a bit more information on focusing on employee health and why it’s important, check out this video by the British Heart Foundation, talking about the specific health and wellbeing days they offer. 

How Employees Can Prepare For Future Changes

You might think that the onus is on the employer to ensure preparedness for changes in the future of work, but it’s actually only part of the story. Of course, employers need to be in the loop about the main business concerns, but on a personal level, employees need to be aware of what they need to do in terms of their career growth.

We’ve mentioned a few times already that the UK workforce in 2030 is likely to be an aging workforce, so how can you make life easier for yourself?

• Assess whether you are happy in your role or not, and make changes sooner rather than later if you feel you would be happier doing something else
• Look into flexible working options and find out whether you would like to pursue this as an option, either now or in the future
• Stay up to date with skills and knowledge related to your career overall and your job role, and ensure that you do all you can to remain on top of everything
• Ask your employer for extra training if you feel you require it
• Ensure that you remain up to date with technological advancements, to give you an edge when new developments are implemented
• Learn to self-manage yourself to ensure that you can take handle the increased responsibility which is likely to come your way as the next few years approach

From the employee side of things, it’s really about understanding that the onus is on them for their own development and being aware that flexible working options could help them to achieve a greater home and work life balance. In addition, the ability to be able to jump from skill set to skill set may become useful, so again, it’s about staying up to date with developments in both knowledge and technology. 

The Importance of Accepting Change, Rather Than Resisting it

All of this may sound rather worrying. Let’s face it, nobody likes change. We tend to run away from change rather than walk towards it, but the future will come to us whether we like it or not! Being prepared is about accepting change rather than resisting it; the more you resist, the more your business is likely to fail as a result.

Helping your employees to embrace change is also important, and that means talking to them about possible ideas before decisions are made, involving them in the process of implementing change and asking their opinions on everything which is going to affect them.

For instance, collaboration looks set to continue to be important as the next decade approaches, and that means equipping your office with the right furniture. Talk to your employees about what they think would work. Do they want bench desks? Do they feel that large circular desks would work better? Take on board their suggestions and work them into your budgets much as possible.
Funky meeting tables will tick all boxes and will increase morale too; a quirky and inspiring office environment has a habit of giving everyone a boost of inspiration!

Check out this quick infographic which outlines the 8 steps towards resilience, which is something you’ll need as changes occur within the workplace.

Asses the market, keep an eye on your competitors, and move with the times. If you do that, you’ll be able to embrace future work changes in a positive way, and ensure continued growth and success of your business. 

Is Artificial Intelligence Really a Threat to Employment?

The final area we need to cover is about those pesky robots. 

Whenever you mention the future of work, the first image that will pop into every employee’s mind is artificial intelligence (AI) and robots taking over the employment field. The bottom line is that yes, AI is going to increase and it may become quite prevalent in certain fields (such as automated production), but there are countless other fields which will not be affected.

A robot cannot do the job of a person in terms of their emotions and caring skills. So, jobs in the medical field, nursing, caregiving, customer services, IT service desks, IT in general, and management/human resources are all pretty safe from that so-called ‘robot revolution’.   AI is designed to help us, not to overwhelm us and take our jobs. 

Within the study, it is thought that in the US, more than 40% of jobs could be automated within the next 20 years. Now, 20 years is a long way off, but even then, the jobs that are lost will create new openings in other fields, closely linked. This does affect the UK market, but we shouldn’t worry about AI, we should embrace it and work with it; after all, it’s an inevitability. 

Conclusion

And there we have it! Your magical, psychic journey into what the future of work will look like 2030. Remember, nobody has the power to be 100% certain about anything to do with the future, but these changes need to be embraced as positives, and not feared or seen as negatives.

Management, sitting at their executive desks, have the power to help employees deal with future changes and as a result, ensure morale isn’t damaged. Changes make people nervous, this is simply part and parcel of being human. By discussing possible changes, listening to opinions, and working through it all as a team, you’ll notice far less negative impact, and far more positive. 

After planning, whatever decisions you make, be it opting for new multipurpose office furniture or choosing a completely new IT system, approaching change with a positive mindset and a collaborative approach will ensue success, both now and in decades to come. 
 

Thank you for reading!