Reducing the overall number of hours worked is an exciting experiment with potentially positive implications for mental and physical health.  Additionally, in 2023 we are likely to see more companies adopting provisions for flexible hours, allowing employees to fit 

parenting responsibilities as well as educational opportunities around their jobs.

Research and statistics are showing that home, remote and hybrid working arrangements are set to become standard - at least for knowledge workers.  During 2022, according to McKinsey and Ipsos, 58 percent of Americans had the opportunity to work from home at least one 

day a week, while 38 percent were not generally required to be in the office at all.

Whether or not we are ready to start wearing virtual reality headsets in order to work collaboratively and take part in more immersive and engaging virtual meetings, training sessions and sales pitches remains to be seen.  But aspects of the metaverse experience –

such as avatars and persistent, multi-purpose environments are likely to play an increasingly prominent role in our working lives during 2023.

With workforces more likely to be geographically distributed, another challenge for businesses in 2023 will be developing processes for monitoring employee output and standards, without infringing on privacy or personal freedoms. Crucially, rather than simply ensuring 

workers are not slacking off, it should be used to ensure they are following healthy practices like taking breaks and regularly getting up to move around.