randstad workmonitor, results 1st quarter 2016: technology and the human touch.

Technology is increasingly impacting and changing the way we work, point out 81% of the respondents in the latest Randstad Workmonitor survey. Globally, 69% of the employees feel they need more training to keep up with technological developments and make them work to their advantage.

With technology having an increasing impact on the way we live, work, and play, this raises the question of how and where to connect to people in real life, in person, face-to-face. At Randstad, we try to discover and learn what is out there in terms of HR technology solutions and what these technologies mean for the way we work. But there is more to technological developments than investing in solutions and tools.

What all our innovations have in common is that they combine technology with our human touch. Outside work, 53% of the employees in the Randstad Workmonitor survey feel that the use of technology makes them feel less connected to people in the real world. Almost half of the respondents (47%) say technology makes them feel less connected to their co-workers and leads to fewer personal interactions among colleagues (46% agree). A high percentage of 89% state they feel a face-to-face meeting is the best way to interact with someone. These insights are helpful when introducing new tech solutions to your employees, and helping them to understand how to balance tech and touch in the workplace.

Quarterly recurring items

Mobility Index stable at 109

The number of employees who expect to find another job within the next 6 months remained stable at 109 in the last quarter, which still results in a steady index since 2012. Looking more in-depth, mobility has increased in some countries, compared to the last quarter, like Turkey (+5), Canada, Australia, and Greece (all +4). According to Steve Shepherd, employment market analyst and director social and public affairs in Asia Pacific, Australia saw a much higher than expected jobs growth in the economy in October and November with even December’s results exceeding economic forecast. So it is likely that this has created expectations around an improving economy and jobs market making people more open to the prospect of a move. In addition, it is also the end of the summer holiday period and a time when many people reflect on their careers and the year ahead after some extended annual leave.

Mobility has decreased in Portugal (-5), and in the US and Germany (both -4).

Actual job change a bit up to 23%

23% of the employees actually changed jobs in the last six months; a bit higher than last quarter (22%). The actual job change increased in Portugal, India and Hungary. In Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Switzerland and the US, the actual job change decreased. Similar to last quarter, Luxembourg has the lowest job change (3%). 

Appetite to change jobs

The appetite to change jobs increased in Malaysia and New Zealand while India shows the highest appetite to change jobs. In Australia, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Switzerland, Turkey and the US the appetite to change jobs has decreased. Although in Luxembourg the appetite to change jobs has increased compared to last quarter, it is still the lowest.

Job satisfaction: highest in India, Mexico, Austria and Norway

In India, Mexico, Austria, Norway, and Denmark, more than 80% of the employees are ‘very satisfied’ or ‘satisfied’ with their current employer. In Italy, Hungary, China, Japan, and Hong Kong, the percentage of employees that are ‘dissatisfied’ or ‘very dissatisfied’ lies between 12% and 17%.

The Randstad Workmonitor

The Randstad Workmonitor was launched in the Netherlands in 2003, then in Germany, and now covers 34 countries around the world. The last country to join was Portugal in 2014. The study encompasses Europe, Asia Pacific and the Americas. The Randstad Workmonitor is published 4 times a year, making both local and global trends in mobility visible over time.

The Workmonitor’s Mobility Index, which tracks employee confidence and captures the likelihood of an employee changing jobs within the next 6 months, provides a comprehensive understanding of sentiments and trends in the job market. Besides mobility, the survey addresses employee satisfaction and personal motivation as well as a rotating set of themed questions.

The study is conducted online among employees aged 18-65, working a minimum of 24 hours a week in a paid job (not self-employed). Minimum sample size is 400 interviews per country. The Survey Sampling International (SSI) panel is used for sampling purposes. The first wave of 2016 was conducted from January 13-29, 2016.