The top priorities
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New data from LinkedIn reveals insights into how jobseekers are choosing which companies to work for – and with The Great Reshuffle on the horizon, the war for talent is set to heat up
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Gregory says flexibility and company culture are having a “watershed moment” that is “redefining the relationship between employers and employees”.
“The old way of working is history as flex-culture takes hold,” he says.
“Employees want flexibility in where, when and how they work. This desire can be seen as a positive force, driving companies to focus on results rather than face time at the office as a metric for performance.
“Having everyone in one office space, nine to five, seems out of date now,” Unilever vice president of future at work Paddy Hull adds.
“Flexibility is the way forward. Employees want flexibility in where, when and how they work, and they’re more than willing to head out the door if their organisation isn’t providing it.”
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“Employees are demanding more work-life balance, the freedom to work where and when they want, and the support and empathy of their employer – and they’re ready to walk away from jobs that don’t meet their needs”
Adam Gregory,
LinkedIn
“Job postings that advertise challenging work, hypergrowth and unicorn ambitions are becoming less of a draw, while those that pitch flexibility, inclusive benefits and internal mobility rates are becoming more attractive”
Adam Gregory,
LinkedIn
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THE NINE-TO-FIVE workday is over, company culture is growing in importance, and salary is no longer the top priority for jobseekers. These are just some of the insights gathered by LinkedIn’s 2022 Global Talent Trends report, which says one key theme is highlighted by its research: “the expectation of professionals to be seen as human beings first”.
Throughout 2021, LinkedIn conducted global research on what matters most to today’s employees and jobseekers. It spoke to two dozen talent professionals across the globe and studied proprietary LinkedIn data taken from millions of employee engagement surveys, as well as billions of actions on the LinkedIn platform.
The resulting picture shows that expectations are shifting, and a focus on wellness, work-life balance and flexibility are at the top of employees' priority lists. Employees want their jobs to work in tandem with their personal lives, and offering “ping-pong tables and endless snacks” as perks is no longer going to attract any talent.
Work-life balance trumps bank balance
As the Great Resignation plays out, markets will be flooded with new jobseekers, but when it comes to choosing a new company, LinkedIn’s data shows that salary is no longer the chief priority.
Sixty-three per cent of surveyed jobseekers chose work-life balance as a key priority, while compensation and benefits was selected by 60%. A further 40% said colleagues and culture were important – a figure that rose to 47% in Australia and New Zealand.
Flexibility has become a key piece of the work-life-balance puzzle, and it's now a crucial value proposition for all employers. LinkedIn recorded a whopping 343% rise in mentions of ‘flexibility’ in company posts since 2019, and it
Wellbeing focus resonates with employees
While ‘putting on a work face’ may have been the norm in the past, global lockdowns forced both companies and staff to have some serious conversations about mental and physical health.
LinkedIn data shows that this focus has resonated well with employees – particularly with women, who were 41% more likely to engage with 'wellbeing' company posts compared to the average post.
The generational shift in the workforce has also had an impact, with 66% of Gen Z employees wanting to see more investment in mental health and wellness by their organisations.
“Forced lockdowns broke down the walls between work and home life, giving employers better visibility into their employees’ lives,” Gregory says.
“Today, employee wellbeing starts with care, compassion and trust. It requires empathetic leaders who embrace and model flexible work arrangements, and who don’t glorify working on weekends and 1 a.m. emails.
“Our Global Talent Trends report illustrates that success is tied to employee wellbeing,” Gregory explains.
“LinkedIn data shows that employees will be three times more likely to be happy, and nearly four times more likely to recommend working for a company, if they feel cared for.
“Beyond that, companies are finding more ways to demonstrate care and compassion for their workforces,” he adds. “This includes giving time back, such as half-day Fridays or shutdown weeks; offering wellbeing services, such as employee assistance programs and back-up caregiving options; and experimenting with a four-day work week.”
The Great Reshuffle – ‘everyone is rethinking everything’
Employers aren’t the only ones rethinking their journey forward. Employees are doing it too, and The Great Reshuffle has led to job post viewings skyrocketing in 2021.
LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky says workers are changing jobs “hoping for something more – more purpose, more flexibility, more empathy”. The Asia-Pacific has been leading the job-shopping trend, with 60% more LinkedIn members changing jobs between August and October compared to the same time in 2019.
LinkedIn data also suggests that jobseekers have become pickier, with applicants viewing twice as many job posts before applying for a role. Quoting The Atlantic, the Global
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To read the full 2022 Global Talent Trends report, including tips on maximising flexible working time and rethinking mental health services, as well as selling points for jobseekers, click here.
seems that staff have responded well – employees were 2.6 times more likely to report being happy if their companies offered flexibility on time and location, and were 2.1 times more likely to recommend working for the company.
“While the Great Reshuffle presents challenges, it also offers opportunities,” Gregory says.
“Organisations that rethink and renew their cultures – and their employer branding – can win big in the new battle for talent.
“To gain a competitive edge, companies are redefining their employer branding messages to ensure they match workers’ current priorities,” he explains.
“Job postings that advertise challenging work, hypergrowth and unicorn ambitions are becoming less of a draw, while those that pitch flexibility, inclusive benefits and internal mobility rates are becoming more attractive.”
The report concludes: "This blistering pace of change means that many of the best approaches are still to come.
“Culture is dynamic, not static, and no one has all the answers. But it does appear that company culture is already being reshaped by employee demands to be seen as unique individuals, rather than interchangeable widgets.”
Engagement with LinkedIn company posts mentioning flexibility
Top priorities for jobseekers
Top priorities for jobseekers
Top priorities for jobseekers
Talent Trends report says this level of quitting and shopping around is “really an expression of optimism” by employees, who are saying, “we can do better”.