ORT UK Virtual Business Event: Back To The Future
23.2.21

Olly Olsen – Co-founder, The Office Group (TOG)
Josh Graff – UK Country Manager & VP, EMEA & LATAM, LinkedIn
Sophie Eden – Co-founder, Gordon & Eden
Euan Blair – Founder, Multiverse

Top Insights on the Future of Work

The pandemic has ushered in a second wave of digital transformation. The way we work, the way we learn and the way we connect with each other has fundamentally changed.

There will be a far more fluid, relaxed and fully flexible approach to workspace. 25% of businesses predict their employees will continue to work remotely and employers will have to allow employees to work how they see fit.

The stigma of unemployment has been reduced. Employers are seeing unemployed job seekers as resourceful, resilient and proactive problem solvers. They’re less focussed on someone’s most recent experience, recognising that hiring based on skills and potential can be equally, if not more powerful.

Businesses around the world are holding themselves accountable on diversity, inclusion and belonging. You can’t be what you can’t see, so you need diversity at the top to encourage people to move up within those organisations.

Job opportunities have increased in e-commerce, healthcare, customer service and technology as well as in digital and creative freelancing roles. People on furlough or newly unemployed have used the opportunity to start up small businesses.

In the technology sector alone, around 13 million jobs will be created in the UK over the next five years, so we have to invest in digital upskilling to make sure we’re prepped for the jobs of the future.

Employers are now comfortable recruiting and onboarding remotely. Without being bound by location, the talent pool is broader and the opportunity for employers is huge.

Not having the traditional 9-5 working day in an office, will be game-changing for women in leadership roles. More men will work from home and the new family dynamic will help women to progress further.

Every fundamental assumption people had about work, education and employment has been turned on its head. People have more agency over their future and are rethinking what matters, while companies are mapping out their priorities differently.

Increasingly, early careers programmes will replace graduate programmes. Some people will have gone to university, while others will have done apprenticeships and both will join at the same juncture.

For more insights from our panel, read their articles in the ORT UK Virtual Event Brochure.

Virtual Business Brochure