OfficeTeam published a research called “Office of the Future: 2020″, based on the answers of technology and workplace experts, futurists, trends observers and worker and executives from large companies.

According to the study, the office of the future will be increasingly mobile, as technology will allow workers to do their jobs from almost anywhere. However, even though some may think this this will provide workers more time to spare, around 42% of employers believe that employees will work more hours.

The main findings of the research state that technological tools and devices will provide more flexibility to workplaces. Therefore, employees will be able to work from outside the office, attending virtual conferences and meetings in real time, wherever they are.

Consequently, 87% of executives believe that remote work will grow in the next decade. This shall prove a challenge for employees’ interpersonal skills, as they will need to build relationships with colleagues who they will barely meet in face to face encounters.

In addition, employers believe that more hours will be worked and 86% of executives think that employers will maintain contact during vacations.

These changes shall have a great impact, creating a new perspective on work-life balance. People will work more hours using devices and tools that will enable them to control their schedules and keep a better balance. The line dividing work from other activities will become blurrier and multitasking will be a very important skills among those who wish to be efficient at work.

The research came up with the six skills that workers will need in order to succeed in the office of the future. Together, they form the anachronism ACTION and include:

• Analysis: of information and using good judgment
• Collaboration: relating and enabling team building
• Technical aptitude: choosing the best technical tools and using them effectively
• Intuition: acknowledging and adjusting to the needs and work styles of other people
• Continuous education: life-long learning
• Negotiation: getting involved in business discussions that achieve positive results