Dear Employers, Workplace Culture Trends 2022

I have seen a lot of my peers making lists of things that they want to be "in" and "out" this year. I figured I would jump onto the trend and let you know all of the things I think should be in and out, but tailor it to specifically work culture, trends, what people are looking for, etc.

IN:

Having a flexible work environment: I think this can manifest in a couple different ways, whether it be working from home, having a hybrid work environment, or allowing your employees to have more flexible work hours in order to maintain a healthier and more custom work life balance.

Competitive benefits: We are seeing so many employers offer different benefits and often times they are meant to distract employees. We do not want $50 of Uber Eats credit or a 15% Off Coupon for a local yoga studio down the street. Employees want PTO, they want healthcare, they want their company to care about their overall health and wellbeing.

People first mindset: Understanding that a business only works if money is coming in is important. I worked for a company where the owner's slogan was "Everyone is replaceable". How would that make you feel to come into work everyday knowing that the leadership of the company thinks that way. It is very discouraging. As an employee, we ask for our employers to remember we are human. If I am working 9-5, M-F, how do I make therapy work? How do I plan appointments? They are going to come up and when we are focused on the idea of working together for the overall well being of all of us, life is so much better.

Growth opportunity: The amount of jobs I have interviewed with or worked for that have promised growth opportunity has been insane. When you start looking at the fine print of it all though, it really isn't what it is made out to be. As an employee I want to learn, I want to improve, I want to evolve, so please give me the opportunity to try new things and advance. Those who look for advancement are a lot more likely to show company loyalty and longevity as well.

Out:

Micromanaging:

When employers train their employees, they should be training them so at the end of the day they can step away from the employee and trust that the work will be done. Micromanaging is an example of a lack of trust in employees. Trust us! Odds are, if we do not know, we will ask you!

Unclear expectations:

Have you ever shown up to work and realized it was not going to be an easy day before you even clocked on. I think sometimes we come into work with animosity when we have leaders who lack the ability to convey expectations. Set expectations with us! It makes the workplace so much more digestible. I know what I need to be doing, by when it needs to be done, and there is no confusion!

Forcing moral dilemmas: With the current pandemic, political climate, and overall movement towards a more safe world, don't put your employee in a position where they have to chose between their workplace and their morals. I recently sat in a room with my supervisor who openly used a homophobic slur describing something they didn't like. My stomach turned knowing that if I spoke up, it could threaten my livelihood. It made me sick. First off, if you are still using any slurs revolving around someone's race, sex, sexuality, or physical make up, you should know better. Don't make your employees live in fear.

I truly think that the world is moving in a direction that socially is a safer place. I also think many different places are coming to the understanding that we are going to live one life, and we do not want to work to live. I want to be able to clock off and have my life. I do not want to waste my short time on earth, sitting under nasty fluorescent lighting, behind a desk. I do this because I have bills to pay. Ideally I will find a job that does not feel like work, but for now... I will fight to have whatever life I can possibly make for myself.