PR91413

ZURICH, Sept. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/--

Normal is now hybrid, and this way of working could force a fundamental

re-think in how to measure and manage workers' performance

- Globally, 53% of workers want a hybrid working model where more than half of

their time spent working is remote

- Productivity has survived the shift, with 82% feeling as productive or more

than before

- Long hours increased 14% in the last year, with more than half of young

leaders reporting that they suffered burnout

- More (73%) workers and leaders are calling to be measured by outcomes rather

than hours, while only 36% of managers are assessing performance based on

results

- Satisfaction with leadership is low and there is an increasing disconnect

with employees, only a third of non-managers feel they are getting due

recognition within the business

- Anxiety about returning to the office is highest in Australia (53%), closely

followed by the UK (52%) and Canada (51%).

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to shape our working practices and attitude

towards work, with both workers and leaders calling for continued and permanent

changes in how and where we work and how performance is measured, according to

new research.

The Adecco Group, the world's leading HR solutions company, has today unveiled

the results of its latest and most comprehensive global study, Resetting

Normal: Defining the New Era of Work, which examines how attitudes to work have

changed over 12 months and highlights the key issues companies must manage to

successfully adapt in this period of transition. A year after the pandemic

changed the way we work forever, this report builds on the Group's 2020

research, focusing on the outlook for 2021 and beyond and expands the research

to cover 25 countries and 15,000 office-based respondents across the globe.

The Adecco Group's Chief Executive Officer, Alain Dehaze, said: "For those who

are not bound to being physically present to perform their work, it is obvious

that we will never return to the office in the same way and that the future of

work is flexible. The pandemic has accelerated existing trends to the point

where they cannot be ignored, and future success depends on individuals and

leaders adapting to them.  

Our research clearly shows that "one size will not fit all" when it comes to

addressing employees' needs and we're increasingly seeing a leadership

struggling to balance remote working and care for their teams. Now is the time

to start bridging this gap by developing and equipping leaders and workers

alike with the skills and capabilities they need to reignite motivation and

build a cohesive company culture that maintains and develops a successful,

resilient and healthy workforce. This is no longer a 'nice to have' it is where

the battle for talent will happen. Companies that are able and willing to

recognise and deal with these issues will thrive, and those that are not may be

left behind.

Thanks to insights from implementing our own Future@Work strategy, coupled with

our worldwide scope, the Adecco Group is well positioned to develop and deploy

solutions to these dynamic opportunities and challenges."

Key research highlights:

Hybrid working is here to stay, but flexibility is key

The research reveals that globally a large proportion (53%) of workers want a

hybrid working model where at least half of their time spent working is remote,

with a large proportion of workers (71%) now having a set-up at home that

allows effective remote work. The last 18 months has proved that remote work

does not come with a loss of productivity, and that a more inclusive and

flexible way of working is possible. More than three quarters of workers want

to retain flexibility over their own schedule, going back into the office, but

on their own terms. This is especially strong for younger generations and

parents, who are calling for more office time, with those who have children

wanting to be in the office more (51%) than those who do not (42%).

Productivity and results-orientation

While many have benefited from hybrid working, not everyone has had a positive

experience. Questions over the length of the working week must be addressed as

the future stays flexible, with mention of long hours increasing 14% in the

last year and more than half of workers (57%) stating they would be able to do

the same work in less than 40 hours. More (73%) workers and leaders are calling

to be measured by outcomes and results rather than hours spent working, a trend

that was already strong in 2020.

Poor mental health highlighted as rapidly emerging issue

The report also reveals that we are at risk of losing a new generation of

leaders - with more than half of young leaders (54%) suffering from burnout and

3 in 10 workers more generally stating their mental and physical health has

declined in the last 12 months. Companies must re-evaluate how they can better

support and provide wellbeing resources to their employees within the new

hybrid working model, with 67% of non-managers saying leaders don't meet their

expectations for checking on their mental wellbeing.

The leadership deficit

In a similar nature, there is a big disconnect between management views of

their own performance and the opinion of their employees. Satisfaction with

leadership is low, with only a third of non-managers feel they are getting due

recognition within the business, and only half of all workers say their

managers met or exceeded expectations for encouraging a good working culture

(48%) or helping support their work/life balance (50%). This is particularly

strong in Western Europe and Japan, whose satisfaction with senior leadership

is lowest.

Mass resignation? Warning signs for companies as employees re-assess their

careers

Finally, the findings highlighted that with motivation and engagement at a low,

less than half are satisfied with career prospects at their company, nearly 2

in 5 are changing or considering new careers and 41% are considering moving to

jobs with more flexible working options. The predicted 'great resignation' is

not yet evident, but the time is now for organisations to reconnect with their

workforce. In addition, two-thirds of workers are confident that companies will

start significant hiring again, with security, agency, culture, wellbeing and

development most important aspects of employment for the future.

For more information:

- Download the Resetting Normal: Defining the New Era of Work whitepaper here:

https://www.adecco-jobs.com/-/media/project/adeccogroup/pdf-files/resetting-normal-pdf-files/resetting-normal-2021-whitepaper_the-adecco-group_final_high.pdf/?modified=20210831132425

- Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter #ResettingNormal for updates

About the Adecco Group

The Adecco Group is the world's leading talent advisory and solutions company.

We believe in making the future work for everyone, and every day enable more

than 3.5 million careers.

We skill, develop, and hire talent in 60 countries, enabling organisations to

embrace the future of work. As a Fortune Global 500 company, we lead by

example, creating shared value that fuels economies and builds better

societies.

Our culture of inclusivity, entrepreneurship and teamwork empowers our 30,000

employees. We are proud to have been consistently ranked one of the 'World's

Best Workplaces' by Great Place to Work®.

The Adecco Group AG is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland (ISIN:

CH0012138605) and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ADEN). The Group is powered

by three global business units: Adecco, Talent Solutions and Modis.

adeccogroup.com | Facebook: facebook.com/theadeccogroup | Twitter: @AdeccoGroup

SOURCE: The Adecco Group