The Office of the Future - the skills you will need

Reskilling, upskilling, telecommuting, downsizing, redundancy … changes in the workplace are all a bit scary unless you have a high tolerance for uncertainty. According to new research the office of the future will be increasingly mobile, with technology enabling employees to perform their jobs from virtually anywhere. The Office of the Future: 2020 research study warns that greater control over where and how people work won't necessarily translate into more free time. Forty-two percent of executives polled said they believe employees will be working more hours in the next 10 to 15 years.

The Office of the Future: 2020 study is a follow-up to a previous research project, Office of the Future: 2005, released in 1999. Trends identified then are a reality today, including the use of multifunctional, wireless technology to conduct business from various locales. Administrative professionals also are now playing a greater role in activities such as Internet research, desktop publishing, computer training and support, and website maintenance.

With Office of the Future: 2020, OfficeTeam, the sponsor of the research, examines trends that may impact the workplace in the next 10 to 15 years. In addition to interviews with workplace and technology experts, futurists, and trend watchers, OfficeTeam surveyed workers and executives at the nation's 1,000 largest companies.

"Technology will continue to reshape the workplace, changing how and where we conduct business," said Diane Domeyer, executive director of OfficeTeam. "As a result, flexibility and adaptability will be sought-after attributes in employees at all levels."

Among the findings:

Technology tools to provide even greater flexibility

Miniature wireless devices, WiFi, WiMax and mobile technology will continue to allow a company's staff to work outside of the office with greater ease. Additionally, virtual environments and web-based conferencing services will provide off-site employees with real-time access to meetings, reducing the need to travel.

Telecommuting to rise

Improved wireless connectivity will allow for an increasingly flexible workforce. Eighty-seven percent of executives surveyed believe telecommuting will increase in the next 10 to 15 years. Telecommuting enables employees to work where it's most convenient, but it also challenges their interpersonal skills. They must build relationships with coworkers while having fewer in-person interactions.

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