2023 marks three years since the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic changed how the world operated.
Everything from the workforce system, the healthcare system, the education system, the housing market, and everything in between was forever changed. Much of the workforce has somewhat returned to where it was before January 2020, but much change has been permanently instilled.
Writers Emily McRae and Peter Aykens, in their 2022 article for Gartner “9 Future of Work Trends For 2023”, writes, “as we enter the third year since COVID-19 came into existence, the virus has proven to have a lasting impact on the future of work. In 2023, organizations face historic challenges: a competitive talent landscape, an exhausted workforce, and pressure to control costs…” This trend comes after the increase of entrepreneurship in 2020, followed by a complete overhaul in talent in 2021, from switching to a hybrid work environment, to companies having to completely replace their previous talent due to both a shift in practice and priority.
This is about more than just having a work-life balance. This is about more than just having a job that motivates oneself to get out of bed every morning. This is about more than just being about how much money one makes, in the wake of unprecedented inflation. This is about all of this. All at once. For so long, many have danced to the tune of productivity equals promise of success. But it was the 2020 COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic that has completely transformed what that tune is to mean.
It is fair to say that many spent the years 2021 & 2022 living at an abridged pace- a pace of temporary and transitional proportions- virtual events and gatherings, postponements for another day, and reimagination altogether. But as 2023 commences, much of that abridged activity has become unnecessary. Vaccinations have become readily available. Social distancing precautions have become second nature. And many have found a smarter and more convenient way to integrate technology.
Writer Caterina Bulgarella, in her 2022 article for Forbes, “Ringing In 2023: The Four Top Workplace Trends That Will Make or Break Companies In The New Year”, writes, “while political decisions such as the reversal of Roe v. Wade clarified that civil rights are also at stake at a time of unforgiving change, employee activism is not merely the fruit of ideological passions. Deep down, it reflects employees’ quest for identity, meaning and authenticity… It is also fair to say that this quest for identity, meaning, and authenticity expands beyond the workplace.
Furthermore, the first three years of the 2020 decade proved to have an overarching theme of disruption. Everything that was once status quo before has been completely disrupted. Rethinking and reimagining a new way of life will prove to be prevalent in 2023. However, what remains is will there be a chance to rest and become accustomed to consistency without disruption looming around the corner?
