A survey conducted by the recruitment website www.irishjobs.ie has revealed that two-thirds of workers believe the most radical change in the workplace of 2020 will be flexible working practices.

The survey also reveals that 60 per cent expect a move from hierarchical structure and a more inclusive decision making process, while eight per cent envisage futuristic elements like floating furniture.

Respondents to the IrishJobs.ie survey expect a move from traditional workplace practices in relation to management, flexible working and women in the workforce.

Forty per cent of workers also predict that management structures will change to reflect more autonomy for all workers based on results.

Elaborating on the prevalence of flexible working practices in the workplace of 2020, 56 per cent of respondents predicted flexi-time will be more common, 24 per cent expect more teleworking, and 20 per cent predicted that employees will work fewer hours in the year 2020.

According to Valerie Sorohan, Marketing Manager of IrishJobs.ie, "The shift from a traditional to a more open and innovative workplace predicted by the workers surveyed is significant and reflects an expectation of real progress. It is well documented that increased employee participation, greater flexibility and skills development contribute to a more competitive and productive workforce. As the workplace evolves, enterprises will harness the experience and skills of all workers."

More women will assume senior roles within the workplace by 2020, according to 84 per cent of workers surveyed by IrishJobs.ie. Reasons cited for this were evolving leadership/senior management structures (40 per cent) and flexible working practices (29 per cent).

Workers in Ireland do not expect average salaries to reduce, reflecting self-assurance in relation to their long-term value as skilled employees. A positive 81 per cent of respondents expect the average salary to increase over the next 12 years, relative to economic performance and three-quarters of these claimed that salaries will increasingly be attached to performance or targets.

Other predictions on the workplace in 2020 included: 56 per cent foresee napping corners in the future workplace; 29 per cent predict stricter policies on healthy eating and exercise; 35 per cent expect less people, more technology in the workplace, and; 90 per cent believe recycled materials will feature heavily in the office of the future.

Concluding the IrishJobs.ie survey on how the workplace might evolve into the year 2020, participants were asked which industry will grow most. The vote was unanimous in relation to growth in the IT sector with 100 per cent claiming that IT 'will definitely grow'. The science/pharmaceutical and media sectors came close with 90 per cent claiming certain growth. Respondents were less optimistic about the beauty and leisure sector with only 60 per cent predicting growth.

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