Essential Averages and Details Concerning Labor Force in the Year 2022
In the rapidly evolving world of work, retaining talented employees has become a top priority for organisations. The Global Workforce of the Future report 2022 provides valuable insights into the factors that influence employee retention, highlighting notable differences between desk (office-based) and non-desk (frontline or manual) workers.
Flexibility and Work Environment
Flexibility in work arrangements is increasingly valued by employees. Among desk workers, flexible work locations and hours significantly boost retention and engagement. Non-desk workers also benefit from flexible shifts and improved working conditions.
Career Development and Upskilling
Opportunities for career progression and skills development are crucial for retention across all types of workers. Desk workers seek upskilling in digital and leadership skills, while non-desk workers benefit from training that opens supervisory or specialized roles within their functions.
Purpose and Meaningful Work
Employees who find greater purpose in their work are more likely to stay. This factor is important across job types, but may manifest differently; desk workers may value alignment with company values, while non-desk workers may relate more to tangible contributions and recognition.
Recognition and Engagement
Recognition tailored to role specifics supports retention. For non-desk workers, timely appreciation for safety compliance, patient care, or client wins is crucial in maintaining motivation and loyalty.
Leadership and Organisational Support
Employees desire leadership that offers clear vision and hope. This applies broadly but might require different management approaches for desk versus frontline workers.
Health and Well-being Initiatives
Health promotion programs increase commitment and are particularly important where physical demands are higher.
Differences Between Desk and Non-Desk Workers
- Desk workers prioritize hybrid/flexible work models, digital skill development, and meaningful alignment with company culture.
- Non-desk workers emphasize predictable scheduling, workplace safety, practical recognition, hands-on career progression (e.g., promotion to supervisory roles), and health programs.
Implications for Organisations
While common retention drivers such as career development, purpose, and recognition are critical for both groups, flexibility and digital-enabled work environments are more salient for desk workers, whereas predictable physical conditions, safety recognition, and practical upskilling characterize retention for non-desk workers. This nuanced understanding supports targeted retention strategies tailored to the workforce type.
Effective training programs at all levels of the organisation, through partnerships with experts, are key to increasing employee satisfaction and making the business more future-proof. Flexibility is more important to non-desk workers than salary, and it is also a very important perk for the new generation of employees.
Creating a safe working environment and encouraging employees to take all their annual leave can help prevent burnout. Salary is not the only factor that keeps employees motivated, with factors such as job stability, work-life balance, good colleagues, and flexibility being more important to many workers.
[1] Global Workforce of the Future report 2022 [2] Global Workforce Study 2021 [3] The Future of Work: A Frontline Perspective [4] The State of the Global Workplace 2021 [5] The Emergence of Hybrid Work: A New Era in Leadership and Management
- In the global workforce, upskilling is a vital component for retaining talented desk workers, focusing on developing digital and leadership skills.
- To retain non-desk workers, offering hands-on career progression opportunities, such as promotion to supervisory roles, and prioritizing health-and-wellness programs that address the physical demands of their jobs, is essential.
- Businesses should recognize the importance of creating a healthy and well-balanced workplace-wellness culture that incorporates fitness-and-exercise, mental-health, and health-and-wellness initiatives for all employees.
- To stay competitive and future-proof, businesses must invest in effective training programs that cater to the diverse needs of both desk and non-desk workers, strengthening their performance and finances.
- In the era of hybrid work, flexibility in work arrangements is more valued than salary by a significant portion of the workforce, impacting career choices and job satisfaction.
