Atlassian #1 on Future 50 by Distributed Work
Last week, we explored hybrid work with Sodexo's Henrik Järleskog, who emphasized:
“Companies are achieving much more with fewer people, mainly due to technological advancements, with AI being one of the biggest drivers. That’s the first significant structural change. The second is distributed work – not remote work, but distributed work”.
Building on that conversation, this week brings exciting news: Atlassian has claimed the top spot in the Future 50.
Congrats to Future Work stars Annie and Molly for driving its ultra-distributed work strategy, which is reshaping the future of work!
And before we dive in further:
As FlexOS continues to grow as the leading Future of Work media platform, we’re excited to announce three new roles: Creator Program Manager, Content Studio Manager, and Lead with AI Product Manager!
If you know someone passionate about the future of work and media, please send them my way.
Let’s shape the future together! 🚀
Your Weekly Must-Read Insights about the Role of HR in the Future of Work
The world of work is changing faster than the time we have to understand it.
Sign up for my weekly newsletter for an easy-to-digest breakdown of the biggest stories.
Unsubscribe anytime. No spam guaranteed.
FEATURED PODCAST
According to Universum, nearly half of companies are exploring AI and tools to enhance their employer branding strategies and social recruiting efforts. But how do you build a brand that’s not just trendy but truly authentic?
In this episode, we’re joined by Alex Her, co-founder of The EB Space, Head of Global Employer Brand at GoDaddy, and a recognized leader in employer branding.
Alex shares insights on creating employer brands that reflect an organization's unique culture—from leveraging AI in branding efforts to empowering employees as advocates.
We’ll discuss where to begin, how to shape a brand with intention, and the ROI metrics that truly matter. Let’s dive in!
Tim and Alex mentioned:
- Authenticity in Employer Branding: A strong employer brand reflects the organization's true culture. Authenticity resonates with top talent by presenting a relatable and accurate image.
- Candidate Experience as Branding: Every touchpoint in the candidate journey, from career pages to interviews, should mirror your brand's values. Personalized communications and engaging content leave lasting impressions.
- AI for Employer Branding: Tools like ChatGPT or Gemini streamline tasks such as research and content creation, freeing HR teams to focus on strategy and creativity.
- Employee Advocacy: Empowering employees to share their work experiences amplifies the brand's authenticity and broadens its reach.
- Community and Learning: Staying connected with industry communities and events helps professionals stay current on trends, fostering adaptability and innovation.
SOLVE HR ISSUES WITH WINSLOW
HR teams spend up to 50% of their time answering repetitive employee questions.
Winslow gives HR teams instant answers to employee questions inside Gmail, Outlook, Slack, and Teams.
Key Features:
✅ Well connected: Winslow works with your HR documents no matter where they live in SharePoint to shared drives to your custom intranet site.
✅ HRIS integrated: Integrate your HRIS to dynamically serve employees the right answers based on their location, classification, or seniority.
✅ Answers everywhere: Your HR team never needs to leave their workflow with our integrations into Gmail, Outlook, Slack, and Teams.
✅ Employee self-service: Turn on employee self-service and enable Winslow 24x7 for your employees through Slack or Teams.
Winslow is giving HR teams superpowers in nearly every industry and is funded by leading Silicon Valley figures, including Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and Reid Hoffman.
See How You Can Save Up to 50% of Your Time!
Thanks to Winslow for sponsoring this issue of Future Work. Want to get your offering in front of tens of thousands of people and HR leaders? Partner with FlexOS.
HOW HYBRID WORKS
Brought to you by Tactic
Welcome to this week’s How Hybrid Works, your go-to section for the latest updates in hybrid work, sponsored by Tactic.
Stay ahead of the trends with expert insights, case studies, and industry news designed to help HR, workplace, and people leaders thrive in the evolving work environment.
Flex Index: Hybrid Work Dominates U.S. Workplace Flexibility Trends
The latest Flex Index report reveals that 68% of US firms offer work location flexibility, while 32% require full-time office attendance, showcasing a strong preference for hybrid and flexible work models.
Structured Hybrid arrangements are gaining traction, now adopted by 43% of firms, up from 20% in early 2023, while Fully Flexible models have decreased to 25%.
The average office time requirement has risen to 2.78 days per week, driven by a shift toward three-day office policies, which increased from 19% to 28% in just six months.
These changes highlight the evolving landscape of workplace policies, with Structured Hybrid models emerging as the dominant work arrangement.
Atlassian Leads Future 50: Distributed Work Drives Success
Atlassian has skyrocketed to the #1 spot on the Fortune Future 50 list, leaping from #26 last year!
With a fully distributed 12,000-person workforce and products like Jira and Confluence driving 30% average revenue growth over three years, the company generated $4.4 billion in fiscal 2024.
Atlassian’s bold approach to distributed work and continuous innovation positions it as a trailblazer in shaping the future of work for its 300,000+ customers worldwide.
Key Moments to Maximize Meaningful In-Office Time
Leaders should prioritize in-office time for key moments such as quarterly team gatherings, onboarding and training events, cross-functional kick-off meetings, and customized functional team schedules.
Hybrid work expert Brian Elliott also advises against focusing solely on productivity during these gatherings, encouraging leaders to allow time for team connection and relationship-building to ensure the experience is both meaningful and engaging.
Quick Hits:
- Hybrid Work Protections Secured for Federal Employees: A Biden administration deal secures hybrid work for tens of thousands of Social Security Administration employees until 2029, potentially clashing with President-elect Trump’s workforce plans to restructure the federal workforce and eliminate work-from-home policies, potentially leading to legal disputes and pushback from organized labor.
THE FUTURE OF HR ROUNDUP
care about, so you don't have to.
This week:
HR’s Tough Year and Big Challenges Ahead
2024 was tough for HR, with 45% of HR pros taking on extra duties without raises, 35% citing team shortages, and 24% facing downsizing impacts.
For 2025, HR leaders face challenges in hybrid work, AI adoption, and talent shortages, with 46% of employees prioritizing flexibility and nearly 50% of hiring teams relying on AI.
Key strategies include upskilling, skill-based hiring (85% of businesses value this), and leveraging AI-powered talent marketplaces to boost agility and reduce costs.
Building Equity Through Skills-First Hiring Success
The Cisco case study demonstrates the company's transition to a skills-first hiring approach through its partnership with OneTen.
By focusing on competencies rather than traditional degrees, Cisco achieved a 96% retention rate for hires and advanced equity within its workforce.
This initiative highlights the importance of leadership commitment, strategic communication, and inclusive support to drive successful workforce transformation.
Quick Hits:
- Boosting Board Effectiveness with Smarter Meetings: A Deloitte survey of 266 board directors found 65% believe meetings could be improved, with top suggestions including more discussion (29%), better pre-reads (28%), and streamlined presentations (26%). These changes aim to foster deeper conversations and leverage board expertise effectively.
- U.S. Worker Wellbeing Challenges: Gallup reports 51% of U.S. workers experience daily stress, with worry (40%), anger (22%), and sadness (18%) also elevated. Engaged employees show 29% less stress, highlighting the need for better management and mental health initiatives.
- AI Emotional Recognition Warning: Algorithmic affect management (AAM) and biometric tracking raise privacy and discrimination concerns in the UK. Reports call for stricter regulations as AAM adoption grows, with 85% of surveyed workers unaware their tools might already integrate AI.
Your Weekly Must-Read Insights about the Role of HR in the Future of Work
The world of work is changing faster than the time we have to understand it.
Sign up for my weekly newsletter for an easy-to-digest breakdown of the biggest stories.
Unsubscribe anytime. No spam guaranteed.