Talent Acquisition Newswatch - Issue 1.11

One in four desk workers don’t feel trusted at work, research finds | Employee Engagement | New study finds that one in four desk workers don't feel trusted at work. Employees who do not feel trusted report more than twice the usual levels of anxiety and stress, 2.1 times worse access to relevant work resources and networks, and 4.2 times lower sense of belonging.

The UK is the work-from-home capital of Europe | Remote Working | The UK is the work-from-home capital of Europe due to its head start on remote working and low unemployment rate.?Working from home can be beneficial to those with disabilities, and technology can help to create more flexibility. Getting the mix of home and office working right can provide a means to be inclusive and improve wellbeing.

US workers report anxiety and stress over unprepared first-time managers | Leadership Development | A report from Oji Life Lab found that 40% of U.S. workers feel anxious or stressed about their first-time managers. Workers rated their first-time managers as being weak at reducing conflict, handling difficult situations, providing quality feedback, running a productive meeting and making decisions.

5 Ways to Transform Your Company’s DEI Training | DEI | These strategies include: leading by example, listening to employees, making training engaging, highlighting the gray areas of DEI topics, and thinking globally. Organizations with higher ethical cultures that are intentional about DEI initiatives can experience a range of benefits, such as improved employee satisfaction and greater business success. To create the best DEI initiative, companies should focus on listening, engaging, learning, leading, and staying open-minded.

Half of UK workers say work is becoming more ‘intense’, with staff shortages and tech to blame, poll suggests | Talent Trends | 55% of UK workers feel that work is becoming more intense and demanding. Factors driving work intensification in the UK include the increased use of surveillance technology and algorithmic management, inadequate enforcement of working time regulations, a decline in collective bargaining and staff shortages.

The Countries With The Highest Density Of Robot Workers | Technology | The International Federation of Robotics study has determined that China has the fifth highest rate of robot workers with 322 units per 10,000 employees, surpassing the U.S.'s 274 units. South Korea (1,000 per 10,000 employees), Singapore (670), and Japan (399) were the top three. Europe has seen a jump in robot density in Switzerland, with the ratio almost doubling between 2017 and 2021. France still lags behind its neighboring countries in robot density with 163 robots per 10,000 employees.

White House looks to close massive cyber skills gap | Recruiting & Retention | The White House has put forth a plan to address the years-long shortage of qualified IT security and technology workers. The plan calls for collaboration with the private sector to open foundational cyber skills to all Americans and expand the number of training programs available for professional training. Private companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Check Point Software have already committed to training millions of people in cybersecurity.

In rebounding M&A market, HR needs a strategic approach to integrate workplace cultures | HR Insights | M&A can disrupt organisational culture if not properly managed. HR needs to adopt a phased approach and transition teams to establish a sustainable, post-M&A, culturally integrated organisation.

Two thirds of British workers say workplace EDI is important when job hunting, survey finds | DEI | A new survey of 2,000 UK workers found that 66% place importance on workplace equality, diversity and inclusion?when looking for jobs. Employers are being encouraged to prioritiSe strong EDI policies to attract job seekers.

Shaky tech talent market remains hungry for hires | Talent Trends | Despite reports of tech layoffs in 2023 outnumbering those in 2022, the need for tech talent remains stable and the job market is still favorable for job seekers. Companies are responding to the market uncertainty by outsourcing, upskilling, and retaining top talent.

Upskilling may be the answer to hiring and engagement woes | Learning & Development | Nearly a quarter of U.S. employers are facing a major skills gap in their company, according to a new report. Reasons for the skills gap include technology, employee turnover, and labor shortages.

Generative AI risks loom as businesses increase investments | Technology | A new report from QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey, has found that despite known risks associated with generative AI, most businesses are not taking steps to mitigate them. The majority of respondents cited inaccuracy and cybersecurity as the two biggest risks associated with the tech, yet only one-third are actively trying to reduce security risks and slightly less are addressing inaccuracies.

National Grid backs ‘inclusive’ approach to wellbeing in construction | Well-Being | National Grid has released findings from its Health Hub initiative at the IFA interconnector in Sellindge, Kent, which showed significantly lower anxiety levels among construction workers and self-employed individuals. The Health Hub was designed to improve mental health and provided a 24/7 wellbeing center with a gym, canteen, outdoor social space and TV room. The research also revealed that supervisors had higher depression scores, and participants highlighted work-life balance and being away from families as key factors in their wellbeing.

We’re now finding out the damaging results of the mandated return to the office–and it’s worse than we thought | Remote Working | Reports have found that nearly half (42%) of companies with return-to-office mandates saw higher employee attrition than expected, and almost a third (29%) are struggling with recruitment. Additionally, 76% of employees would consider leaving if their companies take away flexible work, and employees from underrepresented groups are 22% more likely to consider other options.

How to hire and support more women in your organization?| DEI | Avoid “lazy language” when evaluating candidates, doing more than just tweak job-posting language, and pay attention to the information that’s already out there about their organization or about the open job are some ways organizations can recognize gender bias and create opportunities for women.

Amey launches STEM careers programme to support transferable skills? | Recruiting & Retention | Amey Consulting has launched a new programme, ReStart, to help qualified, skilled, and experienced STEM professionals re-enter the workplace. The 12-week paid placement provides the opportunity to gain valuable experience on infrastructure projects and workshops to support personal development. There is also the possibility of applying for a permanent role upon completion of the placement.

Biden admin takes steps to protect workers from extreme heat?| Employee Welfare | President Joe Biden has announced plans to protect workers from extreme heat, as temperatures across the US soar and heat advisories are issued. Heat-related incidents have led to the death of more than 400 workers since 2011 and thousands of hospitalizations annually.

Ex-Tesla employees report layoffs on LinkedIn | Talent Trends | Tesla laid off multiple employees last week, according to posts on LinkedIn. The layoffs were part of an “org restructuring” and involved roles in talent acquisition and engineering. Tesla's falling margins may have contributed to the layoffs, which come after the company cut prices for its best-selling Model Y SUV and paused worldwide hiring.

How to futureproof your talent streams in a labour shortage?| Talent Management | The hospitality industry has been facing a significant challenge in finding the right people since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Adam Bocken, VP of Training and Development at Margaritaville, emphasizes the need to focus on building strong relationships with educational institutions and investing in employees' development in order to address these challenges.

Skills crisis: why it’s time to change the conversation | Talent Trends | The Construction Industry Training Board estimates that 225,000 workers will be needed in the UK between 2023 and 2027 due to a chronic skills shortage in the industry. Zoe Brooke, founder of the Save Construction Initiative, is working to change the public's outdated view of jobs in the industry. She is lobbying local government, building relationships with industry stakeholders and launching an inspirational PR campaign with the goal of making construction careers more visible and aspirational.

HR remains focused on hiring, even as recruiting pace slows | Recruiting & Retention | Job postings on Indeed are down from pre-pandemic levels, but employers are still offering signing bonuses to attract workers to certain in-demand roles, such as healthcare and trucking. Layoffs remain low and the quit rate is beginning to fall, which suggests that wage growth will continue to trend downward. Global hiring expectations are cooling for the summer and may remain lower for the rest of the third quarter.

Half of C-suite only value HR at times of crisis, study shows | HR Insights | A study by Personio found that 54% of C-suite executives only value HR during times of crisis, such as the Covid pandemic or talent shortages. Half of C-suite executives have admitted that they do not strategically or effectively use their HR team, and there is an appetite in the C-suite to improve HR-business relations.

HS2 reveals workforce EDI progress | DEI | HS2 Ltd has published its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Annual Report for 2022/23, which shows that the organisation has achieved 24% for ethnic minority representation and 38% for females in the workforce. The company has committed to focusing on recruitment and retention strategies to increase the female workforce in its delivery directorates, and it is also the first UK company to achieve and retain the Clear Assured Platinum Standard for its commitment to EDI.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Innovate when you know you have a better idea, stick to conventions when you don't.” - Steve Krug

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