"Live-Work Spaces," "Chatbots," and "Gig Workforce" Will Be More Than Buzzwords If You're Looking for a Job Next Year

NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The popular sitcom "The Office" might have served as the prototype for almost every workplace setting 10-15 years ago, but, oh, you've come a long way, baby.

Politics, technology and cultural and societal changes are contributing to the ever-evolving workplace.  While unemployment remains low, competition for top talent increases – and companies are going to be forced to embrace employees' demands for more work-life balance if they want to retain top talent.

Additionally, live-work spaces, chatbots and the thriving gig workforce are altering the workplace landscape as both job-seeker and hiring authority navigate this new terrain.

Fit Small Business, an online publication serving small business owners, analyzed data from influential sources including Global Workplace Analytics, Gallup, and others, to provide a comprehensive report on the Top Workplace Trends for 2018 which you'll find here.

Work-Life Balance Key

"The desire for work-life balance remains a constant for employees," says Laura Handrick, HR Analyst and Staff Writer for Fit Small Business. She adds: "According to a Gallup poll, 51 percent of employees would change jobs which would allow them to have more flexible hours and 37 percent said they would change jobs if they could work from home at least part of the time.  That's hugely significant."  Video conference, CRM, software, project management tools, group chat tools, and smartphones are making it easier for managers don't have to physically watch people to know they're working.

Artificial Intelligence Continue to Replace Entry-Level Jobs

Additionally, technology, and specifically, AI, will factor heavily into the job search next year.  Website chat bots, AI apps and robots are all doing basic duties that were once accomplished by lower level people.  The trend will continue big time as chat bots, part of AI technology, replace jobs like receptionists, marketing assistants and level 1 helpdesk staff.   However, the increase in AI in the workplace doesn't mean that more people will be unemployed – simply that the roles will shift to jobs that require more managerial, cognitive or planning skills which can't be replaced by robots.

Top 5 Trends for 2018 Include:
1) Hybrid Live-Work Spaces
2) AI (Artificial Intelligence) Will Replace Entry Level Workers
3) More Augmented Workforce (gig workers/independent contractors to replace full-time staff)
4) Flexible Work Options
5) Pricier Employee Benefits

About FitSmallBusiness.com:

With a rapidly growing monthly readership of 800,000. FitSmallBusiness.com is an online publication devoted to helping small business owners.  Its full-time staff of writers spends hours of research, data analysis, and interviews with industry experts to answer the questions that owners want in order to run a successful small business.
For more information on this list and this topic, please contact Sarah Johnson, [email protected],  917-864-6355.

SOURCE Fit Small Business

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