Gen Z and Millennials will make up the majority of the workforce in a just a few years.
These are generations very used to social media, and are influenced by the latest TikTok trends.
Here's everything HR needs to know about the future of work, according to TikTok.
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TikTok is one of the key social media platforms being used to influence the world of work and the narrative around business trends.
Younger generations, in particular, are making use of this platform. They are connecting with the trends and being influenced by the discussions.
Since, by 2030, Gen Z and Millennials will make up 58% of the workforce, bringing a significant shift in the world of work and making TikTok an even more influential platform.
If HR teams want to connect with the younger generation of employees, they must have a presence on TikTok and ensure that the information provided is fresh and modern.
After the trends of the last few years, such as the ‘Great Resignation‘, ‘Quiet quitting‘, ‘Rage Applying’ and ‘Act Your Age’, we continue to see the evolution of terminology impacting and defining trends in human resources.
Two more recent trends on TikTok, ‘BareMinimumMondays‘ and ‘ActYourWage’, and this reflect that it’s still an employees’ market.
#BareMinimumMondays – refers to doing the least possible amount of work on Mondays to ease into the workweek and avoid burnout later in the week.
#ActYourWage – is a more positive spin on the quiet quitting trend. It’s the practice of acting “your wage”, or simply put, it is giving the effort equivalent to your salary instead of going above and beyond.
As we continue to experience the impact of the VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) world, we are likely to experience new and evolving workplace trends being described on social media.
The impact of social media on work in 2024
The world of work is constantly evolving and changing, and as we adapt and shift to these changes, we will need to continuingly adjust our communication and the platforms we use.
Some social media trends are highly likely to impact the future of work in 2024.
Here are some examples:
1. Back to the office
With the rise of remote work over the past few years, many companies have embraced flexible work arrangements.
But, in 2024, HR departments are starting to refine their long-term remote and hybrid work policies.
We’ve seen many companies mandate the return to office, while others have embraced fully remote work.
The evolution of remote working is already on the social media agenda, and will continue to be in the long-term as more companies shift their working location practices.
HR teams can take the initiative here and leverage platforms like TikTok to effectively share insights on managing distributed teams.
Gallup data shows that spending three days in the office during a typical week tends to lead to the highest levels of employee engagement and tends to reduce burnout and intentions to leave the organization.
The possible social media trend might be #BacktotheOffice, referencing the employer demand for people to return to the office for a certain portion of the working week.
2. Outsourced to AI
The pace of digital transformation has been rapidly increasing, and in 2024, we are likely to see even more industries and organizations adopting advanced technologies to enhance efficiency and employee productivity.
The evolution of AI will also continue to drive change in the workplace. With McKinsey research showing that 50% of work is technically automatable, there will be ongoing shifts and changes in work practices.
A possible social media trend might be #OutsourcedtoAI.
3. Unmute or walk
With productivity levels now being scrutinized, it is going to become critical that employees demonstrate their productivity and engagement.
This can be challenging for remote workers as they lack the integration, and it is more challenging to show engagement. Business executives are placing a premium on the engagement of remote workers.
According to a Vyopta survey, 92% of executives report employees who are less engaged, either frequently on mute or don’t turn on their cameras during virtual meetings probably don’t have a long-term future at their company.
A possible social media trend might be #Unmuteorwalk. This indicates the importance of showing up and being present even when working remotely.
4. Resilience matters
Mental health and wellbeing have become a significant issue in the workplace. In 2024, this will continue to be high on the agenda, as employees continue to grapple with record-high levels of burnout.
Individuals and employers will need to prioritize wellbeing with an increased focus on resources and support to build resilience to thrive in the VUCA world.
A possible social media trend might be #ResilienceMatters – referring to the importance of resilience in driving better wellbeing outcomes.
Overall, TikTok and other social media platforms will continue to play a significant role in shaping HR trends by facilitating knowledge sharing and networking and showcasing innovative practices in the field.
To stay relevant and ahead of the curve, HR teams will need to remain agile and adaptable to the shift in social media platforms and how they are used.
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