The WFC Group Blog

Outsourcing has become nearly synonymous with IT and technology. As our reliance on the cloud and Internet connections grows, so does our openness to flexible or contractor hires. For years, among the most popular workforce trends are virtual work environments and the Gig Economy, in which workers are hired on a per-project or one-off basis.

Technology is an ever-changing tool, and with 2017 around the corner, we always like to take some time to understand the trends in the new year. Our expectation for workforce management trends in 2017 reflects the intersection of changing technology and the human touch.

As mobile and communication technology develops alongside employer desires for efficiency and cost-cutting measures, the demand for a remote workforce continues to gain popularity. In addition, Millennials rising in leadership insist on work-life balance and flexible work hours, knowing they can provide high-quality work from nearly anywhere. 

Gone are the days when only select employees in management carry a phone or pager, issued by their employers. These days, everyone has a smart phone at his or her side nearly every moment — and, sometimes, a second or third mobile device as well (even wearable technology!).

Generation Z, those born from the mid-1990s through today, are now starting to emerge from high school and college to enter the workforce.

There’s a lot of talk about healthcare in the workplace, with coverage and laws constantly changing, forcing organizations to manage their workforce management systems more closely, but there’s a key aspect often lost in the technical discussion.

Last week’s look into the rise of remote workers provided a glimpse into the greater movement towards globalization in the workforce. I mentioned that the Millennial generation has been one of the driving forces towards a remote workforce, but this cohort is bringing about an evolution far beyond remote working, and it’s questionable whether current leaders are ready for it. Millennials currently make up 34% of the global workforce and will reach an estimated 50% by 2020 according to a study by PwC. Objectively, it’s important for today’s leaders to know the changes that Millennials are bringing to the workplace and to understand what we must do to prepare them for leadership roles.

Over the last few years at The WFC Group, we’ve seen more and more international clients with needs related to the evolving global workforce. One of the biggest trends we’ve seen is the proliferation of remote teams. The advances in technology, scarcity of top tech talent, and changes brought on by the millennial generation have all contributed to the rise of global and domestic remote employees across many industries.