It's no secret that people's jobs have changed dramatically in recent years. The pandemic has made it necessary to transform many aspects: from "how we work" to "where we work", for starters. For many, this transition has been beneficial, because it has allowed them to improve the balance between work and private life, a principle so dear to the YOLO economy that I told you about here.
2022 has recently poked its nose into our lives: what will it bring us in terms of work? We will know more very soon: my idea, however, is that it will bring us more time with family and friends. Who knows in what form, though. A mix of presence and distance. Something… yes: hybrid. More than anything else "asymmetrical".
Asymmetrical
Of what does not have correspondence and proportion regarding its constituent elements; devoid of symmetry.
Hybrid will become the default
Despite the fact that hybrid work is questionable, it will become the standard in 2022. And in the framework of hybrid work, work will be increasingly asymmetrical: we will work "together" but at different times, in different places and also in different ways.
Many workers appreciate the benefits of remote working and feel that they work better in their free time, even if there is no physical presence or network access. To meet everyone's unique needs, business leaders have begun allowing staff to choose a combination of remote and in-person work. A luminous asymmetrical work, or rather "enlightened" like the leaders who promote it.
But what does it really take for asymmetric work to be effective? First and foremost, in 2022, companies should transition to the use of virtual office to help their employees manage phone calls, faxes (if they have anything to do with Japanese people who like them so much) and emails, no matter when or where they work.
Asymmetric work models will also enter the DNA of the required skills. Employees will have to work on developing transversal skills: I'm not joking, among the greatest qualities is also the ability to focus attention and stay calm.
One factor above all, in any case: in 2022, companies will also have to understand that workers will hardly resist long periods of dissatisfaction. For this we will need more attention to transparency, internal communication and happiness (excuse the bad word) of employees.
Asymmetrical work and Zoom fatigue, sworn enemies
The second phase of remote working will improve the processes implemented in the first phase. Meetings on Zoom, for example, will reduce in number and duration: they will become more focused. More and more workers will master these technologies and be able to optimize them to do things even better and in even less time, limiting interruptions.
Employee welfare will be a priority
Employees value their time and personal life outside the workplace now more than ever. To attract and retain talent, companies will need to continue to focus on their wellbeing. This may even include days dedicated to their mental health, better benefits, more attractive wage alternatives and the possibility of working part time.
The workspace will also be "asymmetrical"
As we go hybrid, workspaces will become places where employees can collaborate and solve problems creatively. Workspaces in 2022 will be redesigned to meet the needs of individuals at work and promote morale and team spirit. From the "block" office model we will move to a more open, bright model, with very heterogeneous workstations for equally heterogeneous needs.
