Part two of the 2021 “Decoding Global Talent” series reveals a heightened focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and desire for flexible work options
LEBANON, N.H.– (BUSINESS WIRE)–Appcast, the global leader in programmatic recruitment advertising technology and services, today announced findings from part two of the 2021 “Decoding Global Talent” series compiled by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), The Network and Appcast. The second in a series of three studies, the report reveals the impact of social and COVID-19 crises on U.S. workers’ preferences and expectations. Nearly 209,000 workers in 190 countries – including more than 6,300 workers in the United States – participated in the study.
Commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility
The recent increased focus on social and racial injustice issues is impacting what job seekers expect from future employers. Now, more than ever, job seekers want to work for companies that take a stand on important issues and whose values, mission and culture align with their own beliefs.
According to the report, more than half (51%) of U.S. respondents said they would exclude a company from their job search if its values and stance on diversity and inclusion (D&I) didn’t match their own beliefs. This number was even higher among respondents 30 years and younger (56%), providing an inside look at how younger generations will shape the future of work.
Overall, the report finds that D&I became more important over the last year across all age groups globally. Interestingly, U.S. respondents 30 years and younger (72%) were most likely to agree with this statement compared to all U.S. respondents (63%) and all respondents globally (69%).
Post-Pandemic Work Preferences
The report also provides a snapshot of American work modes over the last two years. Pre-pandemic, 64% of U.S. employees worked completely on-site, 16% worked completely remotely, and 20% worked a combination of both. COVID-19 dramatically changed work arrangements. The report found that less than half of workers today (49%) are now working completely on-site, and the number of completely remote workers has risen to 28%. Those working both on-site and remote only increased 3% during the pandemic.
As a result of massive COVID-19 vaccination rollout efforts, employers are now preparing to welcome staff back to the workplace. However, the report finds an increased desire among U.S. workers for flexible work options. Post-pandemic, only 14% of U.S. employees would prefer to work completely on-site and a whopping 50% would prefer a combination of both remote and on-site work arrangements. Further, the report finds that 35% of U.S. respondents would prefer to work completely remote compared to 24% of respondents globally.
The pandemic-induced shift to remote work coupled with economic uncertainty also impacted the attitudes of U.S. job seekers over the last two years. When asked to rank top job preferences, “good work-life balance” now ranks first, followed by “job security” and “financial compensation” among U.S. workers. Globally, “good relationship with colleagues” topped the list, followed by “good relationship with superior” and “good work-life balance.”
“The pandemic and increased focus on important issues like racial equity are reshaping how, where and by whom work gets done,” said Heather Salerno, senior vice president of marketing at Appcast. “Employers committed to diversity and inclusion and that offer flexible work arrangements are likely to attract top talent and emerge stronger post-pandemic. We’re pleased to share these important findings with organizations to support recruitment and CSR strategies.”
“People got a taste of remote work during the pandemic, and it has completely changed their expectations,” said Allison Bailey, BCG managing director and senior partner. “It sends a very clear message that a third of U.S. employees would prefer not going to the office at all. Employers can’t treat working from home as an occasional perk anymore.”
To learn more, download Appcast’s “What U.S. Job Seekers Want in 2021: D&I and Remote Flexibility Among Work Preferences” report here: https://info.appcast.io/whitepaper/what-u.s.-job-seekers-want-in-2021-website
Methodology
The research for the 2021 “Decoding Global Talent” series was conducted by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and The Network between October and November 2020. Feedback was obtained by 208,807 workforce respondents in 190 countries. Data on U.S. workers was obtained by Appcast, The Network’s exclusive U.S. partner.
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About Appcast
Appcast is the global leader in programmatic recruitment advertising technology and services. With advanced technology, unmatched market data and a team of the industry’s best recruitment marketers, Appcast’s technology and services manage over half a billion dollars in job advertising annually on behalf of more than 1,500 clients. Headquartered in Lebanon, N.H. with offices in Boston, Mass., New Brunswick, Canada and Minsk, Belarus, Appcast is a subsidiary of StepStone, one of the world’s largest job classified businesses, and a proud member of the Axel Springer SE family.
To learn more, visit https://www.appcast.io/ and follow on Twitter @appcast_io.
About Boston Consulting Group
Boston Consulting Group partners with leaders in business and society to tackle their most important challenges and capture their greatest opportunities. BCG was the pioneer in business strategy when it was founded in 1963. Today, we help clients with total transformation—inspiring complex change, enabling organizations to grow, building competitive advantage, and driving bottom-line impact.
To succeed, organizations must blend digital and human capabilities. Our diverse, global teams bring deep industry and functional expertise and a range of perspectives to spark change. BCG delivers solutions through leading-edge management consulting along with technology and design, corporate and digital ventures—and business purpose. We work in a uniquely collaborative model across the firm and throughout all levels of the client organization, generating results that allow our clients to thrive.
