Many employees are reorienting themselves

The pandemic has - as we know - some serious effects on companies. At the forefront of these effects are the employees. According to the latest work barometer of the personnel service provider Randstad, many employees are very specifically concerned with their professional situation and their future. It is striking that employees are increasingly concerned about their work-life balance. According to Randstad, more than two-thirds worldwide (67 %) and over half in Switzerland (52 %) feel encouraged to strive to improve their situation in this area.

Employees now act when they are dissatisfied

This sense of clarity prompts more than half (56 %) of employees worldwide to start looking for a job. A quarter (26 %) have recently changed jobs and 30 % are currently actively looking for work. In Switzerland, just under half (49.8 %) are open to a new professional challenge or are actively looking for a job, according to the Labor Barometer. For quite a few employees, there also seems to be a certain amount of frustration with the existing situation at their workplaces: 66 percent of respondents in Switzerland have not been promoted and 12.1 percent have been promoted but did not receive a salary increase in the process. Against this background, what could be more natural than to take advantage of the so-called candidate market to achieve an improvement in their professional situation?

Change in the mentality of employees

The wind has changed in some companies: At the beginning of the pandemic, respondents said they felt supported by their employers, even as jobs were eliminated and layoffs were announced. Later, a strong desire for a return to normalcy emerged, accompanied by a sense of optimism. The latest survey now reveals a new surprising trend: the "big realization."

For workers around the world, the pandemic has brought a new sense of clarity. They are taking a hard look at what is important to them in their professional and personal lives. And they are also ready to embrace change to achieve an improvement in balance as well as in their professional situation. Almost half of employees worldwide (49 %) say they feel more stressed since the pandemic and therefore want to change their work life. In Switzerland, this proportion is much lower, at one-third (33 %). Three quarters (76 %) worldwide and two thirds (65 %) in Switzerland are looking for more flexibility in their jobs and careers.

Employees are ready for change

The results of the Randstad survey show: The pandemic is encouraging people to get clear about what they really want. Before COVID-19, workers were primarily focused on their daily tasks at work. During the pandemic, many found the time and leisure to reevaluate their lives and careers. They asked themselves whether the company they work for offers them the value they want. If the answer is "no," a job change is the obvious choice. One of the most important questions employers must now ask themselves is whether they are adequately meeting the needs of their employees.

In Switzerland, 43 % of employees feel undervalued. For this reason, they are looking for a job where they are valued more and paid better. Globally, 54 % feel insufficiently rewarded. Among younger employees, 25-34 year olds, two-thirds (62 %) are looking for a job with better pay and benefits for this reason.

Now is the time for companies to act

So what does this mean for employers? One of the most important things employers can do to ensure the loyalty of their employees is to show empathy. This is no easy task, though Randstad's survey a year ago found that most companies were sufficiently competent at it. But a year later, employee expectations have shifted, as is now evident. This is because a majority feel they are not being adequately compensated for their skills.

Offering competitive salary and benefits is one of the minimum requirements in the battle for the best talent. Randstad recommends that companies continue to strive to offer added value to their employees: Be it flexible working hours, home office options, professional development opportunities and others.

Randstad Work Barometer

The Randstad Work Barometer was launched in 2003. The survey is now collected in 34 markets in the Europe, Asia Pacific and Americas regions. The Randstad Work Barometer is published twice a year and highlights both local and global mobility trends over time. In addition to changing topical issues, it also surveys topics such as job satisfaction and employees' desire to change jobs. The survey also paints a comprehensive picture of labor market sentiments and trends. The survey is conducted online among employees aged 18 to 65 who work at least 24 hours per week in a paid job (not self-employed). The minimum sample size is 800 interviews per market. the Dynata panel is used for sampling.

More information: www.randstad.com