Until now, workplace atmosphere, office morale and treatment of staff have been a selling point for many companies looking to recruit. This is changing as the ‘workplace’ becomes a thing of the past. In the future, a typical working day will involve less physical interaction for some than it does at present, with employees not needing to meet face to face with colleagues, clients or suppliers as part of their job. Efficiency will improve as employees are motivated by the ability to work on their own terms and in ways that suit their needs. But staff morale and collegiality could fade through lack of social contact and relations with other employees. Employers will need to incentivise staff to invest in the organisation as a whole while also identifying where human contact is most advantageous.
Does technology erode people’s sense of belonging to a company? And/or does technology provide lonely workers valuable means for social interaction that would not be possible otherwise?