Transformation, evolution and learning from experience

Welcome back to Randstad’s second LinkedIn newsletter. We hope those who have been on vacation over the last month or so are feeling rejuvenated, and have made many happy memories.?

For some, returning to work means returning to the office, while for others, hybrid or remote work has become the new norm. But the debate over where people should work continues, and our CEO Sander shares his insights on this highly debated subject.

This month’s Randstad round-up also focuses on the launch of Randstad Digital; explores the theme of learning from experience; and the value of a multi-generational workforce. And, we’ve been looking at 20 years of Randstad’s flagship Workmonitor report data to answer the questions: how has the work-life balance changed during that time and what can employers learn from history?

The great debate: returning to the office

Several notable companies have renewed calls for higher in-person attendance recently, including Meta, Amazon and even Zoom, which has benefited greatly from remote working. What is driving this desire to get people back into an office environment? In this article , our CEO Sander van 't Noordende looks at the latest research on productivity, and how more nuanced decision-making and flexibility with intentionality can create a successful balance for employer and employee alike.??

The evolution of the work-life balance

The last 20 years have seen the rise of the smartphone, social media, the gig economy and a global pandemic, all of which have shaped and refined the way we work.?

With so many technological and ideological changes, it is only natural for the employee experience to evolve too. For Marcin Oziewicz, over in Poland, it’s been a long journey, but he believes he’s finally found the balance.?

"After 28 years of employment for various organizations and on my own, I recognize that my career development is just one of the tools to have a fulfilling life. There are so many other ways your life can be meaningful.”

"Flexible working hours, good calendar planning, hybrid working models and removing meaningless meetings can all help create balance. They all allow me to think, be active, be creative, be with other people, or simply do nothing."

Click here to read how the last 20 years have shaped and refined the way we work.

Randstad Digital is here

The world is changing… and so are we. We’re excited to announce the launch of Randstad Digital, which specializes in meeting the technology talent needs of multinational companies across a range of industries.?

The world of work today is defined by three trends: talent scarcity, evolving client needs, and rapid digitization. Randstad Digital is here to help navigate these trends, facilitating accelerated transformation for businesses by providing global talent, capacity and solutions across specialized domains. Our talent solutions allow you to seamlessly scale your team while connecting with skilled professionals around the world who align with your chosen technologies.

Here’s how it works.

Making the most of a multi-generational workforce

Organizations are increasingly looking inward to their experienced workforce to address the global labor shortage. And this matches what many employees want: 80% of over-65s like the idea of working through retirement.

In this article on the rise of unretirement , we explore how businesses can benefit from a multi-generational workforce.

Of course, our more experienced colleagues are not the only ones who can provide valuable insights. Those who are earlier on in their career journey can offer great contributions too. Traci Fiatte Thomas , Chief Executive North America, Randstad shares how leaders can get the most from all members of their workforce in this article .

Two decades of employment insights

This year we have been celebrating the 20th anniversary of our flagship Workmonitor report. Reflecting on previous editions has reminded us of the importance of learning from our past experiences to create a better future.

From rapid digital transformation to creating equitable workplaces, the world of work has gone through a lot in the past 20 years. In this article, we explore 5 lessons from history that can help business leaders today navigate the ever-changing employment landscape.?

Supporting youth skills around the world

On the back of World Youth Skills Day on 15 July 2023, Sander shared insights on the importance of supporting the youth workforce in challenging times.?

Youth skilling is also a great way to guarantee a sustainable and well-prepared workforce of the future, and organizations can focus on three actions to achieve success:?

• Build a robust talent pool and pipeline through paid internships.?
• Partner with governments and non-profits for maximum effects.?
• expand options for acquiring marketable and sustainable skills.

Randstad continues to support a range of initiatives in partnerships with governments all over the world to help furnish younger people with the training and skills they need to succeed in a modern work environment.?

… and that’s it for August. We’ll be back again in October to share more insights on the world of work.

In the meantime, follow us on LinkedIn and on our website to keep up to speed with what’s shaping the employment sector, and access unique insights from across the globe.