With the start of the new year, many of us re-think what we expect to achieve or see different this 2024. For some it might be as little things as reading ten pages off a book every day to big things such as starting a family. However, in the career side, many are considering what they get from their current job. For jobseekers, their expectations are most likely higher than those of their last job. For employers, paying more attention to these demands can bring higher satisfaction to current employees and decrease turnover rates, or/and to be a more attractive workplace for new recruits. Without further ado, here is what employees expect this 2024.

Top 10 things employees expect in 2024

After many years of the first labor right laws, things have changed drastically for employees around the world. From working hours per week, to family leave, these changes have not arrived easily. Nowadays, the consensus is similar when it comes to changes expected from the workforce for 2024. Some demands are in the areas of work-life balance, work-from-home policies and others. Today, we compiled the ten most highlighting aspects employees are expecting from their jobs in 2024.

1. Open communication

With the obstacles of the pandemic already far gone and the familiarity with hybrid work, communication is expected to have molded and adapted. Hierarchies in corporate communication should be apt for ease of communication. Additionally, company culture plays a huge role. It can either invite or discourage sharing ideas. Employees expect channels of communication that are inviting, open and with the potential of bringing change.

2. Opportunities for learning and development

2024 is poised to be a year of further developing your workforce. Some benefits, including training in soft and hard skills, are now commonly included in job adverts. For employers, this means further developing this programs for employees to feel included and valued. For employees, this means a great advantage to keep on improving their skills to grow within the company.

3. Recognition

According to an article by Forbes magazine “When employees feel valued at work, it increases engagement, productivity, and even company loyalty. Recognition shows employees that they’re valued and they aren’t invisible“. However, it is important to do recognition in a timely manner and with the best tools. Forbes also says: “To identify the best way to recognize an employee, think about their style of working and what motivates them.”

4. Flexibility in work arrangements

We said it before and we say it again. For many industries, work from home arrangements are not going anywhere soon, but they might diminish. The pandemic has brought the ease for more and more employees to skip the traffic jams and be more present with their families at home. This also brings benefits for employers as they can down-scale their office spaces. Also expect happier workers when they return to the office. 

5. Work-life balance

Christina Wallace, senior lecturer in the Entrepreneurial Management Unit at Harvard Business School mentions a ‘new way to think about ‘work-life balance’ as something to expect in 2024 from employees. With the cost-of-living crisis, many employees are looking for extra ways to make money. It is also important to leave “workism” behind or the idea that our work is the cornerstone of our life’s purpose.

6. Leadership by example

One thing employees want to see from their workplace in 2024 is their leaders setting the example in different realms (e.g. social, health initiatives). This means for leaders to be pushed to think harder about how others interpret their behavior. Doing this requires both empathy and retrospection. Why perform leadership by example? Employees will then feel inspired to work towards their goals and actively collaborate with others to do so. 

7. Inclusive work environments

With the growth in relevance of DEI departments across many companies, objectives regarding inclusiveness are gaining field. For employees and job-seekers this is great news as their voices and those of other groups are to be of importance. There are still advancements to be made since the COVID pandemic has wiped out six years of advances on the diverse-workforce front. In fact, a survey showed that 76% of job seekers would take a look at how diverse a company’s workforce is before considering working for them

8. Clear priorities

For managers, it is a must to consider the relevance of setting clear priorities for your teams. As employees are expecting for work to go as smoothly as possible and in a clear direction. Facilitate organization and timing strategies for your team to manage the steps towards clear priorities. This not only makes teamwork go faster but it also enhances productivity and efficiency.

9. Continuous improvement

As the company expects employees to grow, employees also expect to see their company going to new heights in 2024. Some examples are social initiatives, internal development programs, funding in education, etc. According to an article from HR magazine, “Employees want environmentally-friendly working practices for mindful sustainability and a supportive culture to allow them to strive and succeed”. Employees are more likely to recommend your company to others if they align and identify with this growth.

10. Variety in work

Similar to our need for excitement in life, employees require variety in their daily tasks for increased satisfaction. Boredom in a job can lead to disengagement, adversely affecting team productivity and the company’s competitiveness. This variety can come in two ways: variety of skills and variety of tasks. Companies can cross-train teams, hire from diverse (skill) backgrounds and give employees projects that further the company’s mission to help work feel more purposeful and fulfilling

Conclusion

According to an article from HR Magazine, employees in 2024 want their employers to focus on their well-being, flexibility, opportunity, and understanding. That is why it is important for companies to pay attention to the needs of their employees in order to attract and retain top talent. As an employee, would you add any other things you expect this 2024?