NEW WORK – EXCUSE ME, WHERE DO I FIND THE WORKPLACE OF THE FUTURE?
After Work 4.0, Digital Transformation and Work-Life-Balance, the next buzzword is now waiting in the wings: New Work. Or is it just a model for sustainable companies? A current survey conducted by the Dusseldorf-based telecommunications company Sipgate is now investigating what constitutes change and how well it succeeds. As a distributer for used TRUMPF punching machines, press brakes and laser cutting systems, we, the I-H&S GmbH are highly interested in all topics concerning the industry and therefore in the workplace of the future. Today, we take a closer look at evolved corporate structures and workplaces that emerge due to the industry changing into a knowledge society.
THE GOALS ARE FLEXIBILITY, AGILITY, PRODUCTIVITY AND INCREASED EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION
The debate on the future of work is not a completely new topic. Forecasts and visions about the developments of modern workplaces are almost omnipresent. There are countless studies of either positive trends and developments or gloomy future scenarios and forecasts that see our jobs in danger. The results of a recent German study now create new facts: More than 1,500 companies and employees from the digital sector were interviewed by IDG Research Services about their idea of the workplace of the future, where they see challenges and how solutions can look like. Around 40 percent of the companies already see their development to a workplace of the future as relatively advanced. Almost two-thirds of the companies have developed a dedicated strategy for new work and mobility concepts. Flexibility, agility and productivity as well as increasing employee satisfaction illustrate the key objectives. Only about 15 percent of companies have not yet dealt with the issue of the workplace of the future.
AND WHAT ABOUT THE EMPLOYEES?
The topics of mobility and technology, new working models and an increased use of technical possibilities – this is what employees associate with the workplace of the future. For around 62 percent of employees, a change in corporate culture is an important part of New Work. At present time, 79 percent of the interviewed employees see their job far away from how they imagine their future job. Especially flexible scheduling is lacking for most employees. While women would like to increasingly work in their home office, male employees are rather interested in a location-independent data access. And these demands are ought to be heard! Finally, the involvement of employees should be crucial to the success of the transformation to a workplace of the future. Nevertheless, the results of the survey reveal that there is still considerable room for improvement. Only one-third of companies inform their employees about the process of transformation on a regular basis.