What is the future of work? 10 articles from the Forum on the working world

A new survey from Microsoft reveals that managers and their employees disagree on how remote working affects productivity. While 8 out of 10 employees in the survey say they work at least as efficiently while remote working, more than half of the managers surveyed told researchers that productivity has dropped since the shift to remote working.

Explore more insights from the latest Microsoft survey.

Third spaces — such as bars, cafés and tree-lined squares — “host the regular, voluntary, informal and happily anticipated gatherings of individuals beyond the realms of home and work”, according to American sociologist Ray Oldenburg.

With McKinsey reporting that 90% of companies anticipate a hybrid approach to work post-pandemic, this is an opportunity for businesses to develop their own 'third spaces'.

Learn more about the 'third space' trend and its role in the future of work.

At the Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos this year, the future of work was a core theme, fuelling discussion from experts across 13 dedicated sessions. From the potential for a digital skills shortage to slow down the green transition to the importance of work being both flexible and purposeful to achieve inclusivity, insights like these shed light on the future of work.

Discover more key insights on the future of work, according to experts at Davos 2022.

Tatiana Reuil, a Global Shaper at the Buenos Aires Hub, explores how remote work could help boost diversity and inclusion in the workplace by considering overseas candidates for vacancies.

The world is moving irreversibly in a remote work direction, with the Owl Labs' State of Remote Work Report explaining that “1 in 2 people won’t return to jobs that don’t offer remote work after COVID-19”.

Read more on why businesses should hire candidates based on their skills and diverse perspectives — not where they live.

Denise Hamilton, Founder of WatchHerWork, explores the backlash to work that advances diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. Some people are complaining that they are losing opportunities because they don't fall into certain groups.

From using data to dispel myths to showing courage in workplace relationships, learn more about how to resist the diversity backlash.

Valérie Beaulieu-James, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at The Adecco Group, explores findings from the Global Workforce of the Future report 2022 which suggests that the middle manager is struggling. From 'The Great Resignation' to the daily task of pleasing both superiors and subordinates, their work lives can be draining.

Find out how to avert 'The Mass Managerial Meltdown'.

The pandemic has highlighted how much employees value flexibility and fulfilment, with millions of workers this year leaving their jobs to seek out a better work-life balance at a company more closely aligned with their values.

From choosing to set up their own businesses to changing career paths altogether, employees are taking control of their futures. Read more on the Great Reshuffle here.

Despite evidence that maternity and paternity leave can support gender equality and bring economic benefits, a new survey shows that the number of US businesses offering paid maternity leave dropped to 35% in 2022, down from 53% in 2020. Fewer employers are granting paid paternity leave too, down from 44% to 27% across the same period.

Discover why employers are cutting back on this support and why this could be harmful.

Adecco's Disconnect to Reconnect Survey explores how globally, workers are “reconsidering their roles in light of their well-being and stress levels”. This initial shift towards prioritizing well-being was fuelled by the pandemic, yet despite the drop in COVID-19 cases since, this issue remains a top priority for workers.

Explore why workers are placing more and more emphasis on their well-being.

The “gig economy involves the exchange of labour for money between individuals or companies via digital platforms that actively facilitate matching between providers and customers, on a short-term and payment-by-task basis,” according to the UK government.

The global gig economy is growing rapidly, with transactions forecast to grow by 17% a year to around $455 billion by 2023. Since this type of employment is temporary and uncertain, issues often arise regarding their rights to holidays, minimum wages and pensions.

Discover more about the gig economy.