Five workplace trends for 2024

As 2023 winds down, we look ahead to some of the workplace trends we’re likely to see over the coming year. While many are an evolution of those we highlighted in 2023, the workplace as we know it continues to shape-shift at a speedy pace.

 

 

A focus on climate action

 

With the climate crisis becoming ever-more urgent, the way your charity embraces sustainability will be increasingly important both to employees and supporters. And that’s regardless of your charity’s mission.

 

Our recent report, Climate change in the UK charity sector, demonstrated that 88% of charities are concerned about the impacts of climate change, and just over half said that environmental sustainability is a priority for their organisation.

 

A focus on sustainability is a big positive when it comes to recruiting and retaining colleagues: three quarters of people say they feel more fulfilled by a job when they have opportunities to have an impact on environmental and social matters.

 

And it matters to donors too. The Office for National Statistics reports that almost three-quarters of adults are worried about climate change, so demonstrating that your charity is taking climate action will potentially make it more attractive to supporters.

 

Considering the green credentials of the suppliers you work with, the tech you use, and even the tea bags you buy for your team – all of that matters. Not least because sustainable choices will help to protect a liveable planet.

 

Take a look at our ultimate guide to becoming a sustainable organisation and ideas for how small organisations can take effective climate change.  

 

 

AI will continue to rise (and rise)

 

After all the excitement about AI in 2023, 2024 is likely to see organisations seriously exploring how it can best be used, and integrating it into daily work.

 

According to the Charity Digital Skills Report 2023, 78% of charities agree that AI is relevant to their charity and could transform it, yet 73% say they don’t feel prepared to respond to the opportunities and challenges it brings (more about upskilling later).

 

Generative AI will be used more commonly – helping teams to produce more content, personalise communications, and reach new audiences. While automating and optimising operations processes will (in the long run) save charities precious time and money. 

 

We share some ideas about how to use AI to generate content and how to use AI for fundraising.

 

 

The push and pull of hybrid working

 

Organisations and employees are still finding their way with hybrid working, with many yet to find a steady balance that works for everyone.

 

In 2023, many organisations started to pin down their working arrangements, encouraging (if not requiring) employees to work back in the office for at least some of their working week.

 

But that’s not necessarily what employees want. The CharityJob Salary Report 2023 found that remote roles get six times the number of clicks on apply than on-site roles, and hybrid roles are twice as popular as on-site jobs. Which goes to show how important flexibility is to charity workers, and how it could go a long way in attracting and keeping employees.

 

 

Lifelong learning – keeping skilled up

 

Just as AI continues to learn, we need to if we’re to keep up with the fast pace of change.

 

We found that growing digital skills and confidence amongst staff and volunteers is a priority for 54% of charities – and that’s going to be crucial for charities to be able to make the most of all the opportunities AI and other tech advances bring.

 

And it’s what employees want. CharityJob discovered that training and development opportunities were in the top five benefits that candidates look for in a new employer.

 

We share some ideas for keeping your team equipped with the skills and knowledge they’ll need to flourish in 2024.

 

 

Employee wellbeing and experience

 

An overworked, stressed, and unsupported team isn’t going to deliver its best. So prioritising employee wellbeing is crucial for teams to be able to thrive over the coming year.

 

According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development: “Investing in employee wellbeing can lead to increased resilience, better employee engagement, reduced sickness absence and higher performance and productivity”. And offering a positive and supportive workplace can also help to attract new employees.

 

That’s important for any organisation, but supporting staff wellbeing is especially important for charities and not-for-profits. A recent study by Pro Bono Economics and Nottingham Trent University found that three in ten charities have seen increased rates of staff burnout, and 25% have seen a rise in sickness absence. Clearly, there’s work to be done.

 

Take a look at some resources we recommend for supporting employee wellbeing – including the Samaritans’ ‘Wellbeing in the Workplace’ online learning programme.