As 2019 comes to a close and we reflect on the past decade, it is apparent that the concept of the typical workplace has been challenged over the past ten years. From new technology being introduced to more flexibly in scheduling, the changes have been numerous- making it impossible to ignore the reality that the next ten years are sure to bring even more changes. The biggest of which is that millennials will become the majority in most workplaces.  In fact, Forbes reports that by 2025, nearly 75% of the global workforce will be comprised of millennials.

Despite the negative connotation that once accompanied the term “millennial”, the changes that we can expect to see over the next decade are anything but. The following are just some areas that will be driven by this ambitious and achievement-oriented generation.

Technology

With more millennials and members of Gen Z in the workplace, we will all be working alongside more digital natives- those who have not known a world without technology like the internet or smart devices. Unlike digital immigrants, digital natives have not found it necessary to adapt to technology or acquire the knowledge necessary to stay competitive in the workplace. With technology being second nature to these individuals, we can expect to see technology utilized in new ways in the workplace in the next ten years.

Training and Development

Research that was conducted by The Hartford found that 50% of millennials want training and development from their employer. What millennials are recognizing more and more is that training shouldn’t end at the conclusion of the onboarding process; rather, training should extend further as employee skills are developed throughout their time with a company. Over the next decade, it is likely that both training and development programs will become highly sought after employee benefits and improve employee retention.

Flexible Workplaces

Flexibility in both scheduling and location is a fairly new concept, but one that we will surely see more of in the next decade. According to a survey conducted by Bentley University, 77% of millennials believe that flexible work hours would increase productivity for themselves and their peers. As millennials take over the workplace, we will likely see more flexibility in location, time and methods of communication. Luckily, technology makes this possible.

Company Culture

Company culture is already a hot topic, but will become even more so in the next ten years as millennials become a more prevalent part of the workforce. In the recent study, Redefining the C-Suite: Business the Millennial Way, conducted by American Express, it was found that 81% of millennials believe that “a successful business will have a genuine purpose that resonates with people”. As such, we can expect to see more and more companies with a clear company culture driven by the workforce. The 2020s are right around the corner, and we are looking forward to seeing what the next ten years have in store for employers, employees and the workforce as a whole!