Workers seek new paths amid uncertainty, LHH report reveals
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND — Employees worldwide are seeking greener pastures, but external uncertainties are holding them back, according to The Global Workforce of the Future Report 2024 by Adecco Group’s outplacement services division LHH.
The report surveyed 30,000 workers from 23 countries and 25 industries.
Uncertain times lead to career stagnation
Workers are eager for new skills, but over half (52%) cite external factors and a “fear of the unknown” (51%) as barriers to their professional growth.
This sentiment is a stark contrast to the empowerment felt during the Great Resignation, as economic climate (23%), age discrimination (22%), and limited opportunities within their own industries (20%) further discourage career mobility.
Due to these conditions, about 73% of workers plan to remain in their current positions through 2024. However, 86% of workers are confident they could find a new job within six months, up from 61% in 2022.
“With the profound shifts reshaping the global workforce, the importance of leadership, skills training, and opportunities for internal mobility cannot be overstated,” said Gaëlle de la Fosse, president of LHH.
“Our latest Global Workforce of the Future Report shows that employee satisfaction and retention is closely related to how a company builds a culture that fosters career growth and invests in skills development.”
Addressing the passive talent pool
The report identifies a considerable “passive talent” pool or workers who are open to new opportunities but are reluctant to actively seek change. About 64% of respondents agree that companies should prioritize upskilling existing employees before recruiting externally.
Furthermore, half of the workforce feels that employers hold the responsibility to prepare them for evolving job requirements, emphasizing the need for proactive employee development strategies.
Optimism towards a tech-enabled future
The outlook towards digitalization remains positive. A majority of the workforce (65%) believes that technology will have a beneficial impact on their jobs, a significant increase from just 37% in 2022. This shift highlights a growing confidence among workers about adapting to and benefiting from digital advancements.
“With workforces and workplaces changing amidst shifts in AI [artificial intelligence] and digitalization, businesses must recruit, retain, and nurture talent that will change with them,” the report said.
