Though three out of five employees are excited about how recent changes will shape the future of their company, the rapid pace of change is leaving many feeling overwhelmed. PwC’s latest Global Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey finds that 62% of workers feel that changes at work are happening faster this year, and 53% feel there’s too much change happening at once. There’s also a lack of understanding about the need for changes (44%) and a lack of trust in leadership to successfully navigate changes (41%).
Workplace changes can diminish morale, increase stress, and raise concerns about job security. Nearly half of employees have experienced significant workload increases (45%) and the need to learn new tools and technologies (45%) over the past year, and many have been dealing with considerable changes in their team structure (41%) and daily responsibilities (40%).
On top of these workplace challenges, more than half of workers (52%) are experiencing financial stress. And although 82% of workers say fair pay is important, only 57% agree that their current job pays fairly.
Eager to learn, but underutilized
Workers are trying to prepare for change, but need more support from their employer. Nearly three in four (72% of) employees are excited to learn and grow their careers. However, less than half (46%) would agree that their employer offers enough opportunities to learn new skills.
In addition, the opportunity to learn new skills impacts how likely employees are to leave their job. Nearly three in 10 (28% of) workers are very or extremely likely to change employers within the next 12 months, up from both 2023 (26%) and 2022 (19%). And for nearly half of employees, access to opportunities for skill development plays a pivotal role in their decision to remain with their current employer or seek alternative job opportunities.
Using AI with caution
Employees are generally accepting of generative AI and optimistic about its future. More than eight in 10 workers who use GenAI daily anticipate increased work efficiency over the next 12 months. But while many agree that GenAI offers benefits like creating opportunities to learn new skills (76%), fostering creativity (73%), and improving work quality (72%), there are also concerns that it will increase bias (52%) and provide incorrect or misleading information (52%).
Navigating changes
Based on PwC’s survey results, here’s a look at how staffing professionals can better support job seekers and employers in an ever-evolving workforce landscape:
- Focus on upskilling: Prioritize candidates who are motivated to learn and offer upskilling programs to enhance their appeal.
- Highlight flexibility and work-life balance: Promote roles with flexible work arrangements and supportive company cultures to attract talent.
- Advocate for fair pay: Ensure competitive compensation packages to retain and attract high-performing candidates.
- Address skills mismatch: Match candidates to roles that take advantage of their skills and offer opportunities for growth.
