2017 is bound to be one for the books. Divisive events like Brexit and the election of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the US are likely to cause some uncertainty in the marketplace. While we wait and see what sort of effects these events will have on labor and employment, the workplace will largely be shaped by the employment trends that started gaining ground in 2016, and are now mainstream trends.
Here are 4 of the top employment trends to pay attention to in 2017.
Temporary work is on the rise.
With the gig economy becoming mainstream, we’ll find more and more people taking on temporary and contract jobs. Approximately 65% of workers say they would be open to taking on freelance and contract work. The role of the consultant will be huge, as Millennials want the freedom of working for themselves, so that they can structure their life according to their terms. Gone are the days where the only temporary jobs belonged to the manual labor, manufacturing, or clerical industries. Today you can find high paying jobs in the accounting, IT, and engineering fields for short-term temp and long-term contract assignments.
Companies are planning on hiring in 2017.
The good news is that 61% of companies say they plan to increase their staff levels in 2017. The not-as-great news is that a lot of companies are looking to fill very specific positions. These likely require a niche background and skill set. Some of the largest skills gaps exist in the skilled trades, engineering, technology, and healthcare industries. These industries tend to have longer fill times, as companies struggle to find qualified talent in their geographical region.
Employee experience reigns important.
83% of HR leaders consider employee experience to be important to their organization’s success. In 2017, they plan to invest in training, workplace environment, and rewards to boost their experience. Focusing on employee experience means offering more competitive job offers (after all this is a candidates’ market), being transparent with the interview process, making training/development a priority, focusing on employee health and wellness, and offering flexibility in work styles/location.
More people are looking for work.
The US economy has been on the rise for 10 consecutive quarters. A better economy leads to more workers feeling secure and confident. They are more like to be ready to look for new job opportunities. In 2017, expect to see an increase in voluntary turnover, as passive candidates find new, more exiting opportunities.
What employment trends do you think will have the biggest impact on your company in 2017? By partnering with Key Resource Group for your staffing and recruiting needs, you’ll position your company to come out on top in 2017.