durham inc.
THE NEXT GENERATION OF WORK
Companies look to attract and retain new employees while commercial real estate firms develop office spaces that improve workforce experiences
BY S H A N E S N I D E R | P H O T O G R A P H Y BY J O H N M I C H A E L S I M P S O N orkplace dynamics have forever shifted since the COVID-19 pandemic struck, creating a mobile workforce eager for new opportunities and no longer bound by geography. That’s left many companies searching for ways to recruit and retain workers with beefed-up incentives, perks, benefits, attractive workplace cultures, policies and other lures. The technology industry, which added positions at a feverish pace during the pandemic lockdown days to cope with remote work demand, is now starting to soften. Big-name companies are reducing head count, including Google, Amazon and Meta. Conventional wisdom would suggest that the balance of power shifts toward the employer if the national economy appears headed in the direction of a recession. But the “great resignation” has changed that dynamic – putting power back into workers hands as they have more flexibility with career choices. Durham and the Triangle at large have a rich depth of career choices for workers and a large roster of major employers. Despite mounting fears about a global economic recession, employment statistics remain strong. The state’s unemployment rate was about 3.8% in October, according to
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the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Durham and Chapel Hill’s unemployment rate in September was about 2.7%. That said, the technology sector is showing signs of slowing, with companies either cutting back or freezing hiring. Even with a fluid economic backdrop, the job market may be forever changed. While some In addition to its central downtown location with free parking or train pass, companies Seguno Software covers 100% of all health benefits for employees and their take a harder dependents (with no waiting period), offers 12 weeks of PTO for new parents, line stance biological or otherwise, and unlimited PTO plus flex hours, among other benefits. on the hybrid office – with at least partial in-office presence than return to the office full and CEO at Seguno Software, required – experts say the time,” he said. “In order to which offers automated email appetite for remote work and retain people, we’re seeing marketing software, is on board the need for employers to get more employers choosing to with the remote work needs of creative with incentives will offer remote work. Leaders his 13 employees, but he tries continue. are choosing to offer remote to make sure the office is an Gleb Tsipursky, a cognitive work as an incentive rather than attractive option as well. scientist and CEO of hybrid and salary. The best workers will “We’re rising to meet remote work consultancy Disaster flock to those companies.” expectations for prospective Avoidance Experts, believes the and current employees – trying demand for hybrid work is no BONUS BENEFITS to rise to the occasion of the passing fad – it’s simply the future Aside from hybrid work policies, times we’re living in,” Geiss said. of the workplace. employers are getting creative “Ultimately, these have been “In surveys, two-thirds of with perks to keep workers positive changes. We started employees would rather quit happy. Chris Geiss, co-founder growing the team during the
december 2022 / january 2023