Swiss companies face major challenges

Long-term absences are causing ever greater problems for Swiss companies. Almost half of the companies surveyed for a study by the Sotomo research institute are already affected by this. Long-term absences due to illness, accidents or parental leave exacerbate and complicate operational planning, put a strain on permanent staff and increase the shortage of skilled workers. According to the study, this remains a problem despite rising unemployment. However, personnel planning is also exacerbated by the fluctuating order situation. In this difficult situation, companies are turning to personnel service providers for help. These fulfill an important hinge function by enabling companies to react flexibly to personnel challenges, take advantage of growth opportunities and strengthen their competitiveness.

Despite the weak economy and rising unemployment, staffing issues are one of the biggest challenges facing Swiss companies. This is clearly shown by a new study conducted by the research institute Sotomo on behalf of the industry association Swissstaffing. Across all sectors, most companies cite the shortage of skilled workers and the availability of staff as one of their biggest challenges (39 % of companies) - ahead of rising costs (27 %) or competitive pressure (21 %).

Qualified specialists in particular are hard to find: 78% of companies report that they have had at least some considerable difficulty filling vacancies in recent years - especially for specialists with professional experience and managers. The shortage of skilled workers is exacerbated by long-term absences due to illness, accidents or parental leave and makes operational planning more difficult. Around four out of ten companies are severely or somewhat severely affected by long-term absences. This leads to an additional burden on permanent staff. For the study, Sotomo surveyed 509 companies in German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland with at least five employees.

Temporary work ensures labor market flexibility in uncertain times

A fluctuating order situation is an additional challenge for companies. 40 percent of companies state that the resulting fluctuation in staffing requirements is a burden. Demand can change significantly in a short space of time, whether due to seasonal fluctuations, unexpected market movements or changing customer requirements. This requires a high degree of agility in personnel planning. Without flexible forms of employment, there is a risk of either overcapacity in quiet periods or staff shortages in phases of high demand. The need to react to changes at short notice therefore not only presents companies with strategic and economic challenges, but also requires innovative solutions in work organization.

In response to these challenges, flexible forms of work are becoming increasingly important for the economy. Many companies are therefore focusing on temporary staffing: 41% of companies currently employ temporary workers. A further 19 percent have done so in the past. This model is particularly widespread in the construction and industrial sectors, where 56% and 38% of companies use temporary workers respectively. Staff leasing is indispensable for large companies with more than 250 employees. 87 percent use temporary staff, 83 percent of whom are currently employed.

Temporary work allows companies to react flexibly to staff shortages, make better use of growth phases and accept short-term orders that would otherwise not have been possible. This adaptability not only increases operational efficiency, but also contributes to the competitiveness of the Swiss economy. The study shows that companies use temporary work for a variety of reasons. It is most frequently used to bridge short-term vacancies and to compensate for staffing bottlenecks. Many companies also use temporary work to get to know new employees before hiring them permanently. Personnel service providers are increasingly becoming strategically important business partners in the recruitment process.

Swiss economy benefits from flexible working models

Not only individual companies, but also the economy as a whole benefits from temporary work, according to the companies surveyed. Two thirds state that temporary work plays a central role for Switzerland as a business location. This assessment is particularly widespread among companies that employ temporary workers themselves - 78% of them. As the study results make clear, this is probably due to the important hinge function of personnel service providers on the Swiss labor market. They enable companies to react flexibly to challenges in personnel matters, take advantage of growth opportunities and strengthen their competitiveness.

About the study