5 Workplace Predictions for 2010

SmartBrief on Workforce, an advisory board I am a part of, asked me to provide some predictions on workforce developments in 2010.  I'll share a few here and would love to hear yours too:

As the economy recovers, people will flock to employment opportunities that allow them to do work that's personally meaningful to them:  Once the job market stabilizes, all of the people who have been biding their time in unsatisfying jobs will look for ways to leave them, and employees will once again have the upper hand. 

The workplace model of "same time, same place" will continue to disappear:  Now that we can be connected regardless of our physical location, work activities will be distributed across central offices, remote locations, and community locations.  The typical eight-hour workday will be spread across a 14 plus hour window to allow us to attend to needs at home and work with colleagues abroad. 

Active Baby Boomers will force a new definition of retirement:  Although the majority of Boomers are reaching official retirement age, many have no intention of leaving the workforce, opting instead for non-traditional careers that allow them to give back to society.  

The hot button HR issue will be employees' use of social media:  Executives will struggle with how to moderate it, and what rules and regulations should be put on the books to ensure that organizational resources and property aren't compromised and that reputations aren't risked.  

A large influx of graduating college students (Generation Ys/Millennials) will put intergenerational dynamics on everyone's radar:  1988-1990 are the biggest birth years in American history.  Up to now, studying and improving how the four generations communicate with one another has been reserved for a small number of elite organizations. In 2010, if you aren't paying attention, you're losing your competitive edge. 

Comments

[http://www.limosbusesjets.com]

i'll be sure to bookmark your blog

[Steve Roesler]

Alexandra,

Was just speaking at a conference where the most attended sessions were Social Media and how to "manage" it.

The future is here!

[David at Brilliant CV]

Hmm,I'm sure I have read this kind of thing before. The internet and modern technology will enable people to work flexibly from any location. However, there will still be factories, offices, high street shops that have to be staffed by people who have to be there at a fixed time to do a manual job face to face with other people.

[Alexandra Levit]

@Steve: Hope it was a great conference. Which one was it?

@Limo: Thanks for that!

@David: True, but I think those jobs will decrease. They will encompass a smaller percentage of the overall workforce. Thanks for commenting!

[Jenn]

Alexandra,

I think all 5 of your predictions are dead on but I think #1 more than anything. At this moment people are biding their time at jobs that pay the bills. When everything stabilizes we will see more start-up and passion entrepreneurs.

[gl hoffman]

And your new book will be THE book everyone talks about in 2010,

[David Hunt, PE]

Assuming the economy improves, MY predictions:

1. Employees will jump ship to better opportunities at the first chance

2. Employees with skills in demand will leverage those skills to demand higher salaries

3. The mentality among employees and unemployed alike will be mercenary. Think Jesse Ventura in the movie PREDATOR when he uncovers "Ol' Painless" and snarls "Payback time!"

[Alexandra Levit]

@GL: From your mouth to God's ears. :) Thanks for the support!

@David: Love the Predator analogy. Gave me a good visual this morning!

[Alexandra Levit]

@Jenn: It's going to be a wild ride!

[Steve Roesler]

Alexandra,

A little slow on the response--it was the Corporate University conference. Participants all headed up CUs for large organizations.