The workforce is bracing for significant disruptions in the upcoming year. According to a recent study, numerous employees are contemplating switching occupations and seeking pay hikes. The study, conducted by recruitment agency, Cpl, which covered the opinions of over 670 individuals about the job market for the coming year, has surfaced these potential changes.
The study revealed that about 49% of the individuals surveyed are pondering over job changes in the forthcoming year while about 64% are contemplating a pay raise request. The research further highlighted a strong inclination towards hybrid working, with two-thirds of the participants leveraging this practice. Around 60% responded that they would reject job roles that don’t satisfy their hybrid work requirements.
Approximately four out of 10 participants expressed that flexible and remote working would positively influence their employment situations, facilitating a superior work-life equilibrium and heightened job satisfaction. Additional key discoveries encompass that merely about 12% foresee a negative impact on their jobs due to artificial intelligence (AI) in the coming year. Conversely, roughly half (46%) envisage AI having a neutral or non-impactful influence on their roles, and four in 10 foresee positive outcomes.
The survey also reveals that most participants are contemplating enhancing their skills this year. However, 60% envisage a discomforting financial strain owing to escalating living costs due to inflation.
Cpl’s CEO, Lorna Conn, admitted to a profound transformation in the job market over the past year. “Global circumstances, technological progress, and evolution of employee necessities have all been instrumental in reshaping organisations’ approach towards talent acquisition and management,” she commented. “Companies that exhibit innovation in achieving their talent objectives, position people at the core of their employee experience.”
Barry Winkless, the chief strategy officer at Cpl, also believes that the collected data manifests how hybrid work models are here to stay.
“From 2022, diverse working strategies have been widely adopted and highly appreciated,” stated he. “The hybrid manner of work offers a substantial chance for both skilled workforce and companies to coexist in a mixed professional environment.
These strategies allow the workforce more autonomy and simultaneously offer companies a broader spectrum of potential candidates, especially those with special skills.”
Mr Winkless further noted that the data indicates an emerging demand for sustainable business behaviour.
“Generation Z workers have a stronger desire than any other generation to commit to organisations that contribute positively and make an impact,” he expressed. “As this nascent generation expands its footprint in the professional environment, it becomes vital for organisations to integrate sustainable practices into their business strategies.”