Four Things Employees Expect in The Workplace in 2020

After an incredible afternoon of learning from HR and Talent leaders in the tech ecosystem, the teams from Glynn Capital, IVP, Menlo Ventures, and Sapphire Ventures summarized the takeaways from our Future of Work Summit to help continue the conversation about how we can best support and empower employees now–and in the future.

The way we work today looks very different from how we’ve worked in the past. We’re no longer working “9-to-5” or delineating between in or out of the office. Today’s workers are “always-on” and “available anywhere.” They work better, faster, more efficiently, and in a more distributed way. Advancements in technology have extended the boundaries of where we work and how work gets done. It’s up to HR leaders to help meet employees where they are and to support them in doing their best work.

Here are some of the key themes explored at our second annual Future of Work Summit:

Perhaps the most commonly cited challenge for HR leaders is building benefits packages that extend beyond standard benefits (health, dental, vision). With the line between work and personal life now increasingly blurry, companies who design new, nontraditional benefits can differentiate themselves.

Panelists emphasized that benefit leaders should consider including tuition and debt consolidation benefits, flexible work policies, and family and dependent care options to better serve the needs of their employees. Each program should be evaluated within the context of usage and productivity, so that every dollar spent enables a more fulfilled and supported employee base.

2. Creating Community Across a Distributed Workforce is Critical for Retention and Promotion

Our summit participants reported that 30% — 60% of their employees work from home or across distributed offices. It can be challenging to manage a diversity of working styles and needs outside of the traditional office walls.

In today’s global, connected workforce, companies must understand and support cultural differences across geographies. And sometimes, unique opportunities for connection will arise: one company realized that weekly code reviews provided an opportunity for international employees to practice their English and build relationships with peers across offices.

To create a culture of inclusion, employees must feel connected to an organization. This can be particularly challenging for organizations with remote workers in different countries. Summit attendees agreed that bringing remote employees to headquarters for an extended onboarding process or Quarterly Business Reviews can build lasting community and connections between remote and HQ-based colleagues. Another suggestion was to carry forward traditions that everyone can enjoy regardless of where their desks reside. Having shared traditions can make it easier to spark conversations and build connections. One company encouraged each employee to use a personal coffee/tea mug for work as a way to help break the ice, build culture, and also create a unique talking point.

3. Diversity and Inclusion Efforts Must Have a Dedicated Leader

Participants agreed that leaving inclusion as a to-do item is not enough. What does work is having a dedicated team member that is focused on driving inclusion across the organization. Ideally, the CEO and Chief Diversity Officer are one in the same, or in larger organizations very closely aligned. Additionally, companies can improve the effectiveness of their efforts by engaging employees early to get buy-in and participation from day one.

4. Becoming a More Compassionate Company Takes Care

Looking Ahead

There is no doubt that business leaders feel a certain amount of unease as they grapple with new challenges in our digital era, especially as they marshal and mobilize their workforces. Chief among concerns is keeping pace with the evolutions and shifts across the global workplace while helping each employee navigate their own path. By continuing to partner with creative people, talent, and technology leaders who are committed to pushing the frontiers of how we engage with work, we hope that we will all benefit from a more empowered, fulfilled, and productive workforce.

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