6 Trends in the Workplace for 2023

November 17, 2023

A worker in a home office meets with a virtual team using conferencing software on a laptop. The year 2022 was another transformative one for the American workplace. As it becomes increasingly apparent that workers are hesitant to return to pre-pandemic habits and standards, organizations must continue to adjust so they can recruit and retain high-quality employees.

Looking ahead to an uncertain 2023, where threats of inflation and recession looming, it will be important for businesses of all sizes to anticipate emerging workplace trends and carefully consider their implications. Organizational psychologists who have earned a degree such as a online applied psychology master's can serve as key consultants in organizational strategies due to their expertise in evaluating and improving workplace conditions.

Take a look at six emerging trends in the workplace that organizational psychology experts will be watching in 2023.

Human Resources Accountability

In 2023, human resources professionals must play a critical role in helping employees thrive during changing and uncertain times.

In the last several years, many new concerns and trends in the workplace have had a tremendous impact on the human resources field. The political upheaval came face to face with calls for greater social justice. Remote working put life-work balance squarely in the spotlight. Mental health issues left the realm of the taboo to become something that we all need to talk about.

Going into 2023, HR professionals are tasked with providing resources for employees’ well-being and family support. They are laser-focused on reigniting plans for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that may have been neglected in years past. Human resources professionals will also need to partner with their colleagues in compliance departments to develop new programs in line with employee expectations, regulatory demands, and best practices.

Increased Remote and Workplace Flexibility

Remote working and scheduling flexibility are two carryover workplace trends from recent years that continue to affect how organizations function. One in five employees intends to work entirely remotely for the rest of their lives, according to a PwC survey. Additionally, 37% prefer a hybrid pattern, while just 22% want to return to the office full-time.

Many companies are closing offices and decentralizing their workforces, transforming their operations to virtual teams. Employees are taking advantage of remote work by relocating to less expensive and less populated cities and towns.

Of course, those in essential positions such as health care workers, teachers, and other front-line workers will be required to maintain a physical presence. It will be key for employers to continue providing the measures that allow them to feel safe.

Psychologically Safe Spaces

Beyond physical safety and security is the importance of providing a psychological safe space for employees, regardless of their role or work location. Survey results released by America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) show that corporate health plans are continuing to increase access to mental health services.

Nearly 180 million people, more than half of all Americans, have employer-provided coverage for their health care needs, according to the survey. In 89% of those plans, companies are actively recruiting mental health care providers. Additionally, all survey respondents provide some telehealth coverage for mental health services.

As mental health maintains its firm foothold at the center of global conversations, companies will have to ensure their health care plans provide the mental health services their employees demand.

Reskilling, Upskilling and Retraining

Many companies entered 2022 with goals for reskilling, upskilling and retraining their workforces for the jobs of the future. Employer-provided education assistance programs encourage retaining employees with the knowledge, skills and abilities to contribute meaningful and creative ideas that fuel organizational growth.

Strategies, policies and procedures for education assistance or reimbursement plans can vary widely. However, those companies that offer the benefit are more likely to recruit better talent and forge value over the long term.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Businesses that foster diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) — beyond mandated diversity training — will be those that thrive in the years ahead. Employees from diverse backgrounds who feel empowered to share their unique ideas provide businesses with new perspectives that can improve their processes and expand their market share.

Not only are many organizations prioritizing DEI because it’s the right thing to do, but research from McKinsey & Co. shows that it can hold strategic benefits as well. Companies focusing on DEI will be better positioned to win the battle for employee talent, meet the needs of diverse clientele and stay ahead of the competition.

Greater Job Security

Another workplace trend that will be important in 2023 is job security. A recent poll by Gallup indicated that 15% of U.S. workers feel they are at risk of losing their jobs. This could be due to several reasons, including the “great resignation,” which saw workers leave their long-term stable positions in favor of other jobs with higher pay.

For companies to get the most out of their workers, they need to allay workers’ concerns that their jobs could be in jeopardy. Research from the Harvard Business Review shows that workers who feel threatened by the prospect of losing their job are less productive, less ethical and more impression oriented than performance oriented.

Help Businesses Thrive in Changing Times

Changes brought on by the pandemic fueled trends in the workplace and the U.S. economy that will continue into 2023. Organizational psychology experts will be leading the way to keep businesses dynamic and competitive.

If you’re interested in a career that empowers both workers and organizations, earning your online Master of Science in Applied Psychology (MAPP) degree from USC could be a meaningful first step. USC MAPP offers a unique blend of organizational and consumer psychology so its graduates are prepared to understand individual motivations across many aspects of the business. Explore the program today.