Needless to say, 2021 has been a year to remember in the staffing industry. From the Great Resignation to continued working from home, the industry has been forced to adjust, evolve and remain on its toes. The next year will bring more of the same and some new trends worth paying attention to:

Flexible work arrangements remain a top priority. As more workers opted for part-time or gig work, companies had to scramble to raise salaries, offer incentives and make flexible working arrangements even more flexible. In 2022 and beyond, remote work will be a must for many employees, and companies will need to determine how to manage both on-site and at-home workers with hybrid schedules and flexible hours. In a nutshell, employers will need to focus on creating an outstanding environment to attract and retain top talent.

Diversity, equity and inclusion matter more than ever. “DEI” can’t just be a buzzword in organizations—it is more critical than ever to walk the talk and make diversity a top priority. Most employees today want to work for companies that share and work towards their DEI goals, yet many say they lack confidence in their employers’ commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workforce. Companies that get this right will stand out from the crowd.

Community-building gets creative. With more employees working remotely, building community is more challenging—but no less important. Likewise, team members’ mental health and well-being should be just as important to companies as their job performance. From virtual networks to Q and A sessions, employees want to build a sense of community at work.

And, not surprisingly, hiring challenges aren’t going away. Creative recruiters and companies are pursuing recently retired workers, for example, to fill openings and bring back expertise.