The top workplace trends for 2014 span from changes in career growth to a shifting understanding of what/where the workplace is.
With 2014 newly minted, it is time to take a look ahead and see what the New Year has in store for us. Today, we would like to focus on how 2014 will impact our working habits. As the economy continues to struggle and with the enactment of Obamacare, numerous changes are bound to take place in the following months.
Curious to see how your work environment will change in the near future? Let’s take a look at the countdown. Read on to discover the top workplace trends for 2014.
No. 5 Top Workplace Trend for 2014: Change in workforce demographics
Baby boomers have already started retiring and we will see many more of them leave the workforce in 2014. This will cause an important shift in employment demographics, with younger generations representing a bigger percentage of the workforce.
This will create more opportunities for fresh graduates, but it also means that companies will have to invest a lot more time and money into training their new work force as function of the fifth entry on our list of top workplace trends for 2014.
No. 4 Top Workplace Trend for 2014: Career growth is delayed
The fact that the economy is struggling is no mystery and this will continue to have repercussions on the careers of many. More and more graduates move back home after finishing school, which is a tell tale sign that career growth is stunted.
In addition, most people are 30 years old by the time they start earning a median salary of $42,000 (in 1980, most people got that kind of payment by the time they were 26-years old), which makes delayed career growth our No. 4 top workplace trend of 2014.
No. 3 Top Workplace Trend for 2014: The gender gap is closing
Currently, there is a 2-3 percent difference in payment between females and males, regardless of their age. While the gap is an all time low, experts believe that it will continue to shrink in the years to come. This belief is the basis for our No. 3 top workplace trend for 2014.
As more college educated women enter the workforce and more men leave it, it is safe to assume that in just a few years there will be no gap in payment to talk about.
No. 2 Top Workplace Trend for 2014: Freelancing will continue to expand
Currently, one third of the working population in the US is a freelancer, and it is expected that this trend will continue not only in 2014, but also well beyond it. Working from home is provving a phenomenon that simply won’t die down.
On the one hand, this practice saves companies a lot of money, as hiring freelancers means they don’t have to pay any benefits and, on the other hand, more and more people are starting to see the benefits of being your own boss.
No. 1 Top Workplace Trend for 2014: The Healthcare Reform
The new healthcare reform will have a profound impact on the job market. As the new legislation forces businesses with more than 50 employers to ensure adequate health insurance, many economists believe that companies will avoid hiring new employees and that many will actually lay off full time employees so as to avoid penalties.
So, for those looking for a new job in 2014, the future does not look too bright.
If you enjoyed our breakdown of the top workplace trends for 2014, check our list of the Top 6 Benefits for Top Employees.
