Why companies must convince workers that they are serious about having a positive impact.
The post-pandemic era has well and truly begun. With changing times come changing expectations, and as with every new movement, expectation around ‘how things have been’ has evolved. A key focus of where this change is necessary is in the workplace. It’s no secret that what the majority of the UK’s employees now expect in the world of work has changed and it’s vital for business leaders to take note if we are to remain a leading nation in technology and business. One thing is certain: the events of the last few years, subsequently resulting in the phenomenon we now know as the ‘Great Resignation’, have seen the power of ‘how we work’ move into the hands of employees. This may sound ominous for senior management but, living in a democratic society that we celebrate, business leaders should see it as an opportunity to present an evolved way of working; one that will harness and nurture a new symbiotic relationship between employees and the workplace. There’s great fear in change, but there’s also room for opportunity. One thing that history has taught us is that those who don’t embrace change, or aren’t open to it, are those that get left behind and are at risk of eventually becoming obsolete. We can’t ignore that today’s employees, especially Millennial and Gen Z workers, have grown up with unlimited knowledge and information at their fingertips. This privileged access to knowledge has led to a heightened awareness of the deep-rooted issues that plague our society. The global events of the past years, beyond just the pandemic, such as outcries against social justice and unprecedented natural disasters, have pushed people worldwide to question their life and work choices. There is particularly a movement towards the idea that, if one is to spend most of their life working, they must be provided with a greater sense of ‘purpose’ at work to align with their personal lives and improve wellbeing.
