A lot can happen in a decade…
And the workplace is not exempt from this fact.
According to a recent survey by BambooHR, there have been some significant changes in employee productivity, management procedures, and a variety of other areas that make up the workplace we know today.
Some of these changes are a result of technology, others have come about because of shifting perspectives and expectations, and some of the reasons behind this fluctuation will remain a mystery. Old-school workplace policies have been transformed or have even been thrown out completely.
Think about it – how many companies still expect their employees to attend work in the classic suit and tie or skirt and heels? Traditional office hours have become more flexible as more employees have started to work remotely, and outdated routines, like the annual review, are on their way to becoming obsolete.
BambooHR’s survey, “Then and Now: How a Decade Changed the Workplace,” revealed a variety of workplace changes that have developed over the last 10 years. The 2016 survey was created around questions and responses from several 2006 surveys on HR-related topics, which were compared to today’s data.
A few examples of their findings include:
- In 2006, about 50 percent of employees’ states that they came up with their best ideas while they were at their desks. Whereas the percentage of employees who agreed with this in 2016 was only 27. This change could represent several different things, such as an increase in the percentage of remote workers or more flexibility on the job.
- The results of the 2016 survey demonstrated an increase in workplace satisfaction in numerous areas. For example, 17 percent more employees felt good about their workload and 8 percent more felt like their company supported a healthy work/life balance compared to 2006.
- There were also some things that seemed to remain the same per the surveys. Employees that felt the quality of their work environment impacted their level of job satisfaction came in at around 9 out 10, which closely resembled the 2006 results.
So, what else was revealed about the present-day workplace in the 2016 survey? Check out the infographic below to find out.
Author Bio: Annabelle Smyth is a freelance writer who covers everything from HR to technology and leadership skills. Her most recent work involves partnership marketing with BambooHR where she has had the opportunity to learn about the relationship between employee engagement and successful businesses.