New research shows flexibility, agility and diversity will be key to attracting and retaining talent

Few employees are interested in adding to the upheaval the global pandemic has created in their lives by changing jobs. But when it eventually subsides, many will be open to exploring their options. A new study reveals what they will be looking for. And it’s not what many employers think.

The pandemic has forever changed the way employees view and approach work. If businesses want to attract and retain the talent they need to move forward, they must understand their mindset and desires. But according to the Citrix Talent Accelerator, a survey of 2,000 knowledge workers and 500 HR Directors in large, established corporations and mid-market businesses based in the US conducted by Censuswide, the majority don’t. …

Fueled by technology, work will happen anywhere, and employee engagement and productivity will soar

A year ago, not much about the way we worked had really changed in decades. Most companies still organized work around major hubs in large cities and their workforce was comprised of local talent that commuted to the office every day, regardless of the type of work they needed to complete. Then the global pandemic hit, and everything changed. Flexible work models replaced traditional ones as people were forced to work from home, and work became an activity, not a place. …

Workers flee urban locales as they no longer view them as critical to success as they work productively from home

It used to be that if you wanted a big-league job, you had to move to a major city to find and keep it. But COVID-19 — and the remote work mandates it has sparked around the globe — have changed this. As work has gone virtual, new research from Citrix shows that location has become less critical to career success and opportunities than ever before. And many workers are fleeing urban areas as a result.

The company recently surveyed 2,000 US knowledge workers to see how their perceptions of life in the big city have changed in the wake of the pandemic. And among the standout findings: one in four respondents have abandoned their city dwellings, or plan to do so because they can work remote. …

AI-augmented employees will be more engaged, twice as productive, and more innovative

In a world where it’s hard to predict what will happen tomorrow, it’s tough to say what the future of work holds. But businesses that hope to emerge from the global pandemic in a stronger, better position need to be thinking about — and planning for future models — today.

Work has forever changed. And while some organizations are struggling to keep pace amid the constant disruption that’s rattling the world, others are using this time to embrace new, flexible work models and cultivate a workforce that is empowered to adapt to changing conditions and innovate quickly. …

It’s not about getting the most out of people anymore, but giving them the space to perform at their best and adapt to the new world of work

Where and how work gets done has forever changed. But one thing remains consistent: the need to provide a superior and consistent work experience that empowers employees to perform at their best across any work channel or location.

Work is no longer a place. It’s happening in kitchens and basements, in parks and on sidewalks and scaled back, socially distanced offices. Many companies initially viewed remote work as a short-term fix to the COVID-19 problem, but are now making it part of their long-term strategies. Why? …

As governments around the world ease their lockdowns, businesses must decide how, when and if to return their employees to offices. Most companies are realizing that back to the office will not mean back to normal. And as they prepare to restart their operations in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, it is important that they understand the concerns and expectations their employees have for returning to the office so that they can do so in a safe and efficient manner.

The fact is, the vast majority of workers around the world remain anxious about heading back to the office and want to be sure that they are not putting themselves or their families at risk. According to a recent survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Citrix, 64 percent of 2,000 US workers polled said they would not feel comfortable returning for one month or more. And three percent said the COVID-19 pandemic has changed their approach to work and that they don’t ever want to go back full time. …

Global crisis opens eyes to the benefits of remote work models

The universal work from home experiment set forth by the global pandemic has changed long-held misconceptions about remote work. Executives and managers, once dubious that ‘real work’ could get done outside the office, are now realizing the positive impact remote work can have on employee productivity, work-life balance, mental health, costs, and the environment.

Savvy companies are planning to make flexible and remote work models a more permanent part of their cost- and workforce-management strategies after COVID-19 recedes. …

As the CMO for a company that provides a platform for remote work, I’ve always had the ability to do my job from wherever I happen to be. To me, that’s completely normal. For most, it’s anything but.

Working remote is perhaps the biggest change in the way business is done that the world has ever seen. But as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads, it is fast becoming the new normal. And to emerge successfully from the crisis, companies must recognize this and help their employees adjust.

Remote work is here to stay for the foreseeable future. Companies that invest in technology to give employees access to the applications and information they need to be informed, collaborate and get work done from their homes in a safe and secure manner gain the agility, speed, and efficiency required to manage resources in the dynamic way that unpredictable business environments demand and position themselves well for the future. …