2016: Workplace Trends To Watch

Workplace trends are always an interesting phenomena.  Will they come true?  Will they really change things?  Our economies are changing and we are a much more culturally diverse world with global interests.  How will these facts come into play?  GoodHire has developed a list of 11 legal, tech and cultural trends that will shake up 2016.  Here's a list of the key trends and likely outcomes:1.  Telecommuting will continue to grow.  Millennials want to work remotely and 80-90% of the U.S. workforce says they would like to telework at least part-time.2.  Workforces will become increasingly blended.  Employers are leveraging freelancers as part of their blended workforce.  For ad hoc needs, companies are finding that a mix of full-time, part-time and freelance workers is beneficial.3.  Wearable technology and wellness programs grow.  Currently two-thirds of U.S. employers offer wellness programs.  2016 should show us an increase in engaging wellness programs and competitions.  Fitness trackers and activity-based competitions have increased participation and engagement.4.  Broader family leave and benefit policies.  The U.S. is the only industrialized nation that doesn't have a national paid family leave policy.  Major companies are adding more family-friendly policies to their benefit packages.5.  Ban the box spreads.  This legislation has been passed in 19 states and 100 cities in the U.S. and many nationwide retailers have implemented ban-the-box practices.  GoodHire is predicting that more companies will ban the criminal-history box on their applications.6.  Health care reform reports will require more time.  Employee healthcare benefits will remain a top priority with the Affordable Care Act Employer Shared Responsibility Provision coming into full use.7.  Overtime pay for more workers.  The Department of Labor has proposed changes to overtimes regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is expected to issue its final rule altering white-collar exceptions from overtime pay sometime in 2016.  The DOL is proposing that the minimum salary requirements and compensations levels for executive, administrative and professional employees change.  They proposed to raise the salary threshold for exemption to the 40th percentile of weekly earnings for full-time salaried workers (to $921/week, $47,892 annually.)8.  Employee-first tools emerge.  Employee check-in tools, self-assessments and constant feedback capabilities will increase work-life balance, on-the job skills training and productivity.9.  Gamification livens up recruiting.  A system of reward and recognition in the workplace can increase engagement among existing employees as well as provide an effective way to assess skills and abilities for particular roles.10  New software advances feedback, engagement and culture management.  A 2014 Gallup poll found that 70% of U.S. works say they are not engaged at work.  New tools from pulse surveys to engagement monitoring will help benchmark employee engagement and happiness.11.  Mobile apps take over.  Expect employee demand for apps that make work easier. Whether it’s an online job application, performance management tools, attendance management, or expense reimbursement, apps will make it easier to recruit and engage with employees at any time.