4-Day Workweeks, Remote Work and More: Workplace Predictions for 2023
The workplace has evolved tremendously over the past couple of years, with the 9-to-5 office job no longer being the norm for many workers. We’ve also seen waves of mass layoffs and “quiet quitting,” with hirings and downsizings swinging rapidly from one end of the spectrum to the other. So, what will 2023 bring?
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To find out, MyPerfectResume interviewed over 1,000 workers, managers and human resources professionals to get their predictions about various work-related trends. Here’s what they believe the workplace will look like in 2023.
Finding a Job Will Be Easier This Year — But So Will Losing One
Nearly half (48%) of those surveyed believe finding a job will be easier in 2023, while only 33% think it will be harder.
“As the market rebounds in 2023, layoffs and hiring freezes will become less common,” said Whitney D. Walter, professional development expert. “This means that job seekers should see relief as more companies open their doors to new hires and existing employees are again permitted to move up the ranks internally as budget concerns are slowly alleviated.”
On the flip side, almost 7 in 10 American employees expect to lose a job in the upcoming year. Michael Samuel, career coach and founder of CEOMichaelHR, believes that this may be due to an increase in automation.
“With the rise of technology, it is likely that there will be an increase in automation, potentially leading to widespread layoffs in certain industries,” he said.
Other companies will lay off workers due to anticipated changes in the economy.
“Some employers have recently engaged in workforce actions in anticipation of an economic slowdown,” said Tami Simon, SVP at Segal, an HR and employee benefits consulting firm. “Companies are laying off their employees due to economic uncertainty, but I caution that this approach has short-lived benefits.”
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The Gig Economy Will Overtake Traditional Employment
It seems like the gig economy is here to stay — and many see it playing an even more significant role in 2023. Seventy-one percent of respondents believe that the gig economy will continue to expand this year, and 71% also believe that there will be more gig workers than traditionally employed people in 2023.
Darren Shafae, job expert and founder of ResumeBlaze, believes the gig economy will continue to grow because it has benefits for both employees and employers.
“With the rise of the gig economy, many professionals are increasingly able to work remotely or take on short-term contracts, making it easier for them to find jobs that fit their needs and interests,” he said. “This increased flexibility also allows employers to be more agile in meeting changing market demands.”
Anjela Mangrum, president of Mangrum Career Solutions, notes that gig work is particularly appealing to the youngest generation of workers.
“With an increasing number of young workers valuing flexibility and expressing an interest in entrepreneurship, I think you’ll find more candidates for part-time roles rather than long-term positions,” she said. “Professionals today, especially the younger generation, aren’t ready to commit to long-term contracts. Most of the ones I’ve come across seem keen on job-hopping every year or two, while some even aim to have side hustles and grow them enough to quit their jobs altogether.”
4-Day Work Weeks Will Become More Common
Some companies have been experimenting with four-day workweeks, and many believe this will become an even more common workweek model in the coming year. Seventy percent of those surveyed believe that more employers will introduce a four-day workweek in 2023.
“With the results of the world’s largest four-day workweek test in 2022 being largely positive, I predict that more companies will begin testing this option as a way to get employees back into the office,” Walter said.
However, don’t expect this to become the norm for all workers — even in companies that are experimenting with shorter workweeks.
“I do not predict that entire companies will move to this just yet, but that individual teams within organizations will continue to pilot this,” said executive and career coach Colleen Delvecchio. “It is going to take more research and success before we see a widespread adaptation of this.”
There Will Be More Remote Work Opportunities
Although many companies are enforcing a return to the office this year, the majority of those surveyed (76%) believe there will be more remote work opportunities available in 2023.
“With the success of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more companies are realizing the benefits of allowing employees to work from home,” Samuel said. “This trend is likely to continue as it allows for cost savings for companies and increased flexibility for employees.”
Offering remote work is also a way for companies to effectively attract and retain talent.
“Small- to medium-sized companies will offer more opportunities for remote work due to the need to compete with bigger, more established companies that can offer a stronger compensation package,” said Jasmine Cheng, founder of the recruiting company Topknack.
Job Burnout Will Increase
It may be a stressful year for employees — 72% of those surveyed believe that more people will experience job burnout in 2023 than in previous years. Walter believes this is tied to the rise of shorter workweeks and the prevalence of remote work.
“Employees are likely to continue to experience burnout in greater numbers than we’ve seen in years prior,” she said. “This is because many studies show that remote workers experience burnout at a higher rate than on-site employees due to feeling obligated to devote more time to being ‘online.’ Add to this the adjustments required of those involved in emerging four-day workweek tests and we have a recipe for a widespread mental health crisis.”
Pay Transparency Will Increase
With more pay transparency laws going into effect over the coming year, it makes sense that 74% believe that there will be better pay transparency in 2023 — and this is something that many employees want.
“After personally surveying over 7,000 LinkedIn Premium members, I can confidently state that there is a high demand for increased transparency in job posting,” Walter said. “In particular, salary transparency has been a hot topic following the laws passed in New York in 2022.”
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