randstad workmonitor, results wave 3 2013: higher demands on skills and competencies.

Almost nine out of ten employees feel their employers make higher demands on their skills and compentencies than five years ago, according to the findings of the latest Randstad Workmonitor. This number runs very high in China (94%), Malysia (93%) and Brazil (93%). When it comes to digital skills in particular, 86% of employees worldwide experience their employers are more demanding than half a decade ago. With regard to social skills, education, and experience employees also feel their employers are more demanding than five years ago (between 73% and 76%).

Who is responsible?

Most respondents find that both employer and employee are responsible for ensuring that the employee's skills and competencies correspond with the job requirements. 87% say it is the responsibility of the employer and 81% find it the responsibility of the employee. Brazil is the only country where employees put more responsibility with the employer than with the employee when it comes to filling the gap between skills and competencies in relation to job requirements( 87% vs. 76%). On the other side, in Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg and Sweden employees are clear in who they hold responsible for this: the employer.

Future expectations

Employees not only experience that their employers make higher demands on their skills and competencies than five years ago, they expect the same for the future. In China, India, Malaysia and Brazil in particular, employees expect their job requirements to become more demanding in the coming years (between 91% and 93%). These expectations are much lower in Spain (57%) and Denmark (62%).

Future concerns

92% of all employees say they will make sure to do anything to meet their job requirements. Despite this and with the higher demands experienced in the past five years and the same expectations for the future, a third of all employees fear they will no longer be able to meet their job requirements in due time. This concern is highest in Japan (60%), which is remarkable as at the same time Japanese employees are less willing than other employees around the globe to do anything to meet their job requirements; 60% is willing to do so compared to, for example, 98% in China.

Quarterly recurring items

Mobility Index increased to 109

After a decrease to 108 in the previous wave, the Mobility Index has increased again to 109, the highest point in three years. This means more employees are expecting to have a different job within the next six months. Mobility has increased in Spain, Norway, India and Slovania and decreased in The Netherlands, Belgium and Australia. Like in the previous wave, 12% of the employees are actively looking for a new job. Numbers have increased in Mexico and in India, and the highest percentage of employees looking for a new job can be found in India (33%).

Employee confidence increased slightly

The confidence of finding a comparable job within six months increased slightly for the first time after a year long decline to 65%. Sweden, Japan, Argentina and Malaysia all show a rise in confidence whereas confidence declined in The Netherlands and Poland. Confidence in finding a different job increased globally by 1% reaching 62%.



The overall fear of job loss decreased slightly to 22%, but has increased only in Greece. Belgium and Australia saw a decrease. Significant fear of job loss has increased in Japan.

Job satisfaction

In Europe, employees in Denmark and Luxembourg (both 78%) are most satisfied with their current employer, followed by Switzerland (77%) and The Netherlands (75%). Employees from Hungary (49%) and Greece (52%) are the least satisfied. Outside Europe, most satisfied employees can be found in India (84%), followed by Malaysia and Canada (both 77%). Employees are least satisfied in Japan (44%) followed by Hong Kong (47%) and Singapore (56%).

Personal motivation

In Europe, Scandinavian people are least focused on getting a promotion, with Denmark leading the way with 73% followed by Sweden (66%) and Norway (58%). When asked if one is strongly focused on getting a promotion the Italians score highest: 27% is strongly focused on getting a promotion, followed by employees in Luxembourg ( 23%), Germany and France ( both 21%). In The Netherlands, fewer employees are strongly focused on a promotion than last quarter (6% vs. 10%).

The Randstad Workmonitor

The Randstad Workmonitor was launched in 2003, and now covers 32 countries around the world, encompassing Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Americas. The Randstad Workmonitor is published four times a year, making both local and global trends in mobility regularly visible over time.



The Mobility Index, which tracks employee confidence and captures expectations surrounding the likelihood of changing employers within a six-month time frame, provides a comprehensive understanding of job market sentiments and employee trends. In addition to measuring mobility, also employee satisfaction and personal motivation, as well as a rotating set of themed questions are part of the survey.



The quantitative study is conducted via an online questionnaire among a population aged 18-65, working a minimum of 24 hours a week in a paid job (not self-employed). The minimal sample size is 400 interviews per country, using Survey Sampling International. Research for the third wave in 2013 was conducted between July 17 and August 5, 2013.