Gone are the days of the Great Resignation — 73% of workers surveyed by The Adecco Group say they’re staying with their employer this year, up from 61% in 2022. But, as technology changes the most in-demand workplace skills, most workers who stay do so because their employer provides advancement opportunities (21%, up from 17% in 2022) or the ability to upskill/reskill for a new role (16%, up from 10%).
To find out the trends shaping today’s workplace, The Adecco Group surveyed over 30,000 workers in 23 countries. The research found that while most employees quit jobs in search of a higher salary (31%), employees who stay are happy with their work-life balance (20%), their relationships with colleagues (19%), and the ability to apply their skills (17%).
The impact of generative AI
Overall, workers are feeling positive about the influence of AI on their daily work lives — 62% believe AI will positively impact their jobs, and only 7% are worried about losing their jobs due to AI. Seven in 10 employees currently use generative AI at work, primarily to find and summarize information quickly and to save time. However, less than half (46%) receive employer guidance on how to use AI, and 57% would like company-provided training.
Many workers (61%) say AI is just a tool, and that the human touch is still more influential. They believe AI can’t replace human skills like emotional intelligence, empathy, and interpersonal skills.
A spotlight on skills development
Perhaps because of the growing influence of AI, employees are looking for ways to boost their skills. But many aren’t getting support from their employer.
While most executives (74%) say their company is effectively investing in developing their skills, that percentage drops to 58% for managers and 45% for non-managers. This is likely why 62% of workers plan to take more control over their skills development in the future.
Most workers (56%) are confident their current skills are transferable to other industries — this sentiment is highest among tech workers (61%) and lowest among blue collar workers (49%).
Burnout is still a hot topic
Burnout is just as common as it was last year, with 65% of workers saying they’ve experienced burnout and 49% worried about experiencing burnout. The most commonly cited causes of burnout are working too hard (44%), lack of support from leaders (43%), and added responsibilities due to layoffs (42%). The experience is slightly more common for managers (68%) and less common for non-managers (60%).
Taking time off is critical in preventing burnout, yet 78% workers say they aren’t encouraged to take annual leave, and just 55% use all of their provided vacation time.
For more of The Adecco Group’s insights on the future of work on a global level, see the full report.
