Forecast sees big changes coming

Four-day workweeks and no more cubicles -- could this be the future of the workplace? Job placement consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. has released a list of workplace predictions that reflect the evolution of technology and the rising cost of healthcare and energy, including:

* The end of business travel. Rising airfares and pressure to become environmentally responsible could drive corporations to opt for teleconferencing.

* Four-day workweeks. Given the rise of gasoline prices and the availability of portable technology, four-day weeks could become a new standard.

* Goodbye, HQ. Real estate costs and environmental pressures may force companies to reconsider massive corporate complexes. Instead, they may rent out smaller office spaces with easier access to employees.

* No more cubicles. Employers are increasingly replacing confined cubicles with common areas, conference tables and community work spaces to promote interaction and teamwork.