Workplace trends highlight the business changes expected to grow in the coming year. In 2023, some of the top trends in the workplace were hybrid work, diversity and inclusion, employee engagement and employee wellbeing. We’ve made a good start into 2024 now and according to Brett McAllen, CEO of @WORKSPACES, the country’s leading provider of premium flexible workplace sites, we’re already beginning to see the crux of the top trends for the year start to emerge.

“Workplaces today look vastly different from what they did a few years ago, and that’s not even factoring in the huge upheaval due to COVID,” McAllen said.

“The structure, look and feel of workplaces will continue to change dynamically from year to year as employee demands change. Companies that keep abreast with these trends are better placed to face the future of their business with a competitive edge.”

@WORKSPACES is experiencing significant growth due to strong demand for flexible workspaces from a wide range of businesses and organisations keen to step away from expensive long-term fixed lease arrangements. They are also seeing firsthand the key trends impacting workplaces across the country.

Five top trends in the workplace for 2024

Equality for All

“Equality for all (EFA) stems from people’s desire for all be treated equally and have access to the same opportunities as others. What does workplace equality look like? It means giving workers access to leave, benefits, flexibility, job opportunities, coffee, and other perks, amongst other things, on an equal and fair basis,” McAllen said

“While people are covered by a range of standard workplace protections, employees want more. They want to see that workplaces are fair and people are treated equally regardless of age, wage or life stage.  If the boss is able to bring their dog into work, so should everyone else.  If the manager gets a free park, then so should everyone else.”

Right to disconnect

“The work/life balance struggle is real and it’s a constant conundrum. This year, we’re going to see employees take a step in the right direction and assert their right to disconnect. This means that employees will have the right to refuse to monitor, read or respond to contact from their employer outside of working hours unless the refusal is unreasonable,” McAllen said.

“With this newly legislated right coming on board, it’s a new territory to navigate so it remains to be seen how the interpretation of reasonable or unreasonable contact is going to be applied by the Fair Work Commission. This is going to be one that HR and employers are all going to want to keep tabs on.

“This year onwards, finishing up for the day, means completely switching off for the day.”

WIO (work in office)

“Forget WFH (work from home). This year, there will be an even greater push from employers to get their staff back into the office, in a manner similar to pre-COVID conditions. Employers argue that having their workers back in the office increases their productivity and it’s also easier to monitor and manage employees,” McAllen said.

“Being in the office enables workers to build better relationships with their colleagues and managers, which leads to better career development for workers.

“Some workplaces may face significant resistance from their workers about returning to the office, so it’s important for those in leadership roles to communicate their expectations while also listening to employee feedback. Be transparent and explain to employees the value of having them back in the office and why these decisions are being taken.”

Vocal local

“We’ve being seeing this trend for several years now, but it remains strong, and it’s the choice of more and more businesses to abandon city-based sites and to set up workplaces in more suburban areas, so that people can work nearer to their home,” McAllen said.

“Relocating an office can come with many benefits such as lowering costs and having new office layouts. It gives employees a better experience and gives businesses a chance for growth.

“Flexible and scalable office hubs continue to experience ever growing popularity for this reason, and @WORKSPACES office locations are a prime example of how carefully handpicking premium locations doesn’t necessarily mean a CBD office.

“When businesses choose to lease from flexible office hubs, they’re choosing to factor in employee work life balance which leads to better satisfaction in the workplace. When offices are located close to amenities and with convenient transport lineages, the accessibility of the workplace is a huge bonus that employees can take advantage of.”

Flexible offices

“More than just a workplace trend, as a society, we are placing more value on flexibility, scalability and customisation. Companies persisting in clinging to old-fashioned structured long-term expensive fixed leases are just shooting themselves in the foot,” McAllen said.

“Flexible office hubs offer everything a traditional office does, but with the efficient structure of shared spaces. Your company doesn’t have to pay extra real estate bucks on meeting rooms that aren’t in use all day long and have the responsibility of purchasing the equipment and maintaining costly corporate equipment like audio visual technology for meetings and printing, scanning and copying machines because these office hubs take care of all of it for you. It increases your productivity and efficiency when resources and hours aren’t spent dealing with these nitty gritty issues.”

Outlook for 2024

“Taking into account these workplace trends for 2024, I have a positive outlook for how this year is going to roll. I think the emphasis on equal access for all and the call for better work life balance are both great features. I look forward to continuing to roll out more flexible workspaces across the country and overseas as more and more businesses embrace the benefits of shared office hubs.”