What is the Microsoft work Trend Index?
We provide expert analysis and advice from researchers across Microsoft who have studied social capital, wellbeing, culture, and human interaction for decades. The annual Work Trend Index is published each spring.
What is the 2021 work Trend Index?
The 2021 Work Trend Index provides data-driven insights to help people and organizations thrive in a rapidly changing world. We analyze trillions of productivity and labor signals from across Microsoft 365 and LinkedIn to derive powerful insights about how people work and collaborate.
What is the Microsoft workplace trends project?
Our goal is to discover and share broad workplace trends that are anonymized by aggregating the data broadly from those trillions of signals that make up the Microsoft Graph.
Learn while working: The true value of podcasts
Most jobs include a mindless task every now and then. Spreadsheets, expense reports, follow-ups—they can all feel like a lot of time spent without much reward. Doing these tasks in silence can get mind-numbing, but tuning into an engaging or inspiring podcast while you complete them can make you feel like you’re getting more out of this time.
Can listening to podcasts help you focus?
Whether podcasts can actually help improve focus appears to be subjective and depends on the task at hand. Listening to a story stimulates brain activity, which can help fuel creativity and productivity. Music, especially classical, can have similar effects on the brain. If you’re having trouble concentrating at work, give podcast listening a try.
Podcasts in the work-from-home era
It can be difficult to focus while working from home. There tends to be distractions everywhere, or for some—and this may be worse—your environment may be completely silent.
Entertainment podcasts
You might assume that ID10T, hosted by comedian Chris Hardwick, would be a comedy podcast. While it’s funny at times, the real joy of this interview podcast is the natural ease with which Hardwick converses with his celebrity guests.
Educational podcasts
The title sort of gives away the premise of this one. Each episode, hosted by journalists Sarah Marschall and Michael Hobbes, explores topics you thought you knew about, brushing aside the conventional wisdom and examining the real impact on history.
Business podcasts
Looking for inspiration to help you get through the workday? The WorkLife podcast is the listen for you.
Brought to you by Unum
HR Trends features interviews with leading experts in the field of Human Resources. Hosted by Clare Morin, HR Trends draws from the deep bench of subject matter experts at Unum as well as industry partners and national HR thought leaders.
Recent episodes
What should employers know about federal COVID-19 vaccine and testing mandates, after the January 13 Supreme Court ruling? Recorded on January 14, legal expert Ellen McCann walks HR listeners through the current status of the three federal mandates and what employers should do now to ensure a safe workplace.
HR Trends podcast episode list
Ep. 33: Best practices for behavioral health at work (September 9, 2021).
Myth Busting Common Video Interview Concerns
Video interviewing—whoever has gone on one knows that it is a different beast, both for the candidate and the recruiter. Aptitude Research reported less than 60% of US companies used or planned to use video interviewing in their HR processes. … Read more
Military Hiring: Diversity, Inclusion & Business Success
The job market is more competitive than ever; between the Great Resignation and the pandemic, companies are scrambling to secure top talent in order to drive business forward—and they’re starting with prioritizing inclusion and diversity.
The Power of Pressure
Stress is a normal part of how we go through life, and in today’s workplace, it’s unavoidable. In fact, according to a study by staffing firm Accountemps, rising workplace pressure has more than half of American employees stressed at work. … Read more
Setting Your Team Up for Hybrid Work Success
Today’s employees have strong feelings about hybrid work–positive ones that is. According to Microsoft’s 2021 work trend index, 73% of respondents across over 30,000 people in 31 countries desire more remote work options.
The Impacts of the Vaccine Mandates on the Workplace
As of January 2022, the federal vaccine mandate will require all businesses with a hundred or more employees to impose coronavirus vaccines, or implement weekly testing. This news has already sparked debate and friction in workplaces across the country. According … Read more
Talent Acquisition 2021 Recap and Forecast for 2022
The pressure is officially back on for talent acquisition teams to engage the right employees and help businesses stay competitive.
Learn While Working: The True Value of Podcasts
Can Listening to Podcasts Help You Focus?
Podcasts in The Work-From-Home Era
Entertainment Podcasts
Educational Podcasts
Business Podcasts
- WorkLife with Adam Grant: A TED Original Podcast
Looking for inspiration to help you get through the workday? The WorkLife podcast is the listen for you. Each episode features an interview between organizational psychologist Adam Grant and professionals across the spectrum—people from huge companies like Pepsi as well as those wh… - Her Accounts
Her Accountsfeatures relatable conversations with women who work in tax and accounting. These conversations cover the challenges of working through the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating a traditionally male-dominated field and balancing life, work, and parenthood. If you’re looking fo…