[Czechia] Work-life balance and flexibility among workplace trends for 2023

A new study from a workplace solutions firm has explored the trends expected to impact companies in Czechia over the coming year and revealed that work-life balance and environmental responsibility have become priorities for some, Expats.cz reports.

The ManpowerGroup study is based on responses from 13,000 managers and 8,000 employees from eight countries. While the trends are firmly rooted in the West, they are also already present or coming to Czechia.

Last year, 75 per cent of companies worldwide struggled with talent shortages. As a result, more and more employers are reducing or eliminating their college education requirements for jobs and placing more emphasis on work experience.

“It seems that the experience a person has gained during their work cycle is more important than formal education,” Jiří Halbrštát - manager for marketing and recruitment of ManpowerGroup - told iDnes.

The potential of seniors

The global population is ageing and the number of economically active people decreasing yet the demand of companies for labour is increasing. The Czech Republic had avoided the issue so far, however, that may be changing.

The number of employees has reportedly remained stable in Czechia for 10 years as the result of labour migration from abroad but this trend is slowing down, according to Halbrštát.

Despite the global economic slowdown, companies continue to actively seek talent. Due The ageing of the population means this is likely to lead to the return of people of retirement age to the workforce.

Some Western companies are already seeing the return of people of retirement age. Yet, although the trend is growing, so far only 19 per cent of hiring managers worldwide are actively looking to take on retirees.

The Czech Republic has about 2.4 million retired people, 150,000 of whom are working. “We believe that there is great potential here,” Halbrštát said, adding that Inflation is also causing retired people to seek a return to work.

Women seeking an improved work-life balance

Millions of women left the workforce during the pandemic and many still have not returned because old ways of working seem incompatible with new priorities for living.

Organisations must reimagine when, where, and how work gets done, offer pay equity, and advance reskilling. These steps will not only bring women back but help ease the global talent crisis, according to ManpowerGroup.

Women reportedly want more flexible office hours and fewer days in the office. But many women are not interested in working from home all the time. Some 41 per cent of female respondents said that sociability and connections are among their top reasons for returning to work.

Women are not alone in wanting changes to work schedules. Interest in a four-day workweek is reportedly growing across all age and gender groups. Almost two-fifths of employees would be willing to trade 5 per cent of their salary for a shorter work week, according to the findings of ManpowerGroup’s consumer survey. Globally, only one in 10 firms currently offers a four-day workweek.

A significant majority of workers (64 per cent) said they would consider looking for a new job if they were required to return to the office full-time and one in three would take another role in the next month if it offered a better blend of work and lifestyle.

However, over 80 percent of workers and employers also believe in-person collaboration generates the most creative ideas and drives camaraderie within the workplace.

Gen Z prioritises environmental responsibility

Generation Z - including people born in the mid-1990s and later - will make up over a quarter of the workforce in 2025.

“Their demands on employers and on balancing personal and work life are much different than those of previous generations,” Jaroslava Rezlerová - CEO of ManpowerGroup CR - said.

The research found that worldwide 68 per cent of Gen Z workers are not satisfied with their organisation’s progress in creating a diverse and inclusive work environment while 56 per cent would not accept a role without diverse leadership. 

On the environment, 52 per cent say companies are not doing enough.

According to Manpower’s survey, Gen Z is interested in “green-collar jobs” that help to promote and protect the environment. The pace of green-collar job creation will accelerate in 2023.

It is seemingly becoming clear to companies that they must offer something more than money to attract this group. “The younger generation in particular is looking for a deeper meaning, and involvement in social or environmental issues,” Halbrštát said.

Source: Expats.cz

(Links and quotes via original reporting)

A new study from a workplace solutions firm has explored the trends expected to impact companies in Czechia over the coming year and revealed that work-life balance and environmental responsibility have become priorities for some, Expats.cz reports.

The ManpowerGroup study is based on responses from 13,000 managers and 8,000 employees from eight countries. While the trends are firmly rooted in the West, they are also already present or coming to Czechia.

Last year, 75 per cent of companies worldwide struggled with talent shortages. As a result, more and more employers are reducing or eliminating their college education requirements for jobs and placing more emphasis on work experience.

“It seems that the experience a person has gained during their work cycle is more important than formal education,” Jiří Halbrštát - manager for marketing and recruitment of ManpowerGroup - told iDnes.

The potential of seniors

The global population is ageing and the number of economically active people decreasing yet the demand of companies for labour is increasing. The Czech Republic had avoided the issue so far, however, that may be changing.

The number of employees has reportedly remained stable in Czechia for 10 years as the result of labour migration from abroad but this trend is slowing down, according to Halbrštát.

Despite the global economic slowdown, companies continue to actively seek talent. Due The ageing of the population means this is likely to lead to the return of people of retirement age to the workforce.

Some Western companies are already seeing the return of people of retirement age. Yet, although the trend is growing, so far only 19 per cent of hiring managers worldwide are actively looking to take on retirees.

The Czech Republic has about 2.4 million retired people, 150,000 of whom are working. “We believe that there is great potential here,” Halbrštát said, adding that Inflation is also causing retired people to seek a return to work.

Women seeking an improved work-life balance

Millions of women left the workforce during the pandemic and many still have not returned because old ways of working seem incompatible with new priorities for living.

Organisations must reimagine when, where, and how work gets done, offer pay equity, and advance reskilling. These steps will not only bring women back but help ease the global talent crisis, according to ManpowerGroup.

Women reportedly want more flexible office hours and fewer days in the office. But many women are not interested in working from home all the time. Some 41 per cent of female respondents said that sociability and connections are among their top reasons for returning to work.

Women are not alone in wanting changes to work schedules. Interest in a four-day workweek is reportedly growing across all age and gender groups. Almost two-fifths of employees would be willing to trade 5 per cent of their salary for a shorter work week, according to the findings of ManpowerGroup’s consumer survey. Globally, only one in 10 firms currently offers a four-day workweek.

A significant majority of workers (64 per cent) said they would consider looking for a new job if they were required to return to the office full-time and one in three would take another role in the next month if it offered a better blend of work and lifestyle.

However, over 80 percent of workers and employers also believe in-person collaboration generates the most creative ideas and drives camaraderie within the workplace.

Gen Z prioritises environmental responsibility

Generation Z - including people born in the mid-1990s and later - will make up over a quarter of the workforce in 2025.

“Their demands on employers and on balancing personal and work life are much different than those of previous generations,” Jaroslava Rezlerová - CEO of ManpowerGroup CR - said.

The research found that worldwide 68 per cent of Gen Z workers are not satisfied with their organisation’s progress in creating a diverse and inclusive work environment while 56 per cent would not accept a role without diverse leadership. 

On the environment, 52 per cent say companies are not doing enough.

According to Manpower’s survey, Gen Z is interested in “green-collar jobs” that help to promote and protect the environment. The pace of green-collar job creation will accelerate in 2023.

It is seemingly becoming clear to companies that they must offer something more than money to attract this group. “The younger generation in particular is looking for a deeper meaning, and involvement in social or environmental issues,” Halbrštát said.

Source: Expats.cz

(Links and quotes via original reporting)