Employees hungry for new skills and turning to technology finds Oracle, Workplace Intelligence

BT News Desk
November 14, 2021 3:00 am
91% of People in the UAE Believe Robots Can Support Their Career Better Than Humans

People are turning to robots to support their career development after the Covid-19 pandemic left them feeling lonely and disconnected from their own lives, according to a new study by Oracle and Workplace Intelligence, an HR research and advisory firm. The study of more than 14,600 employees, managers, HR leaders, and C-level executives across 13 countries including the UAE found that people all around the world have felt stuck in their personal and professional lives but are ready to regain control of their futures.

The global workforce feels lonely, disconnected, and out of control

More than a year in lockdown and the continued uncertainty due to the pandemic has left many workers in emotional turmoil, feeling like their lives and careers are out of control.

  • In the UAE, 91% of people have been negatively impacted by the last year, with many struggling financially 42%; suffering from declining mental health 26%; lacking career motivation 26%; and feeling disconnected from their own lives 22%.
  • 77% found 2021 to be the most stressful year at work ever. More than half 66% of people struggled with mental health at work more in 2021 than in 2020.
  • The amount of people who feel little to no control over their personal and professional lives doubled since the start of the pandemic. People noted they have lost control over their futures 57%; personal lives 58%; careers 52%; and relationships 46%.
  • 87% of people feel stuck in their personal lives, feeling anxiety about their future 32%; trapped in the same routine 30%; and more loneliness than ever before 28%.

People are motivated to make changes, but are facing big challenges

Despite struggles over the last year, people around the world are eager to make changes in their professional lives.

  • 96% of people used the past year to reflect on their lives and 96% said the meaning of success has changed for them since the pandemic, with the work-life balance 42%; mental health 40%; and workplace flexibility 40% now top priorities.
  • 89% feel stuck professionally because they don’t have growth opportunities to progress their career 28% and are too overwhelmed to make any changes 24%.
  • 84% of people say feeling stuck in their career has negatively impacted their personal lives as well by adding extra stress and anxiety 47%; contributing to feeling stuck personally 36%, and taking focus away from their personal lives 36%.
  • 97% of people are ready to make a change, but 89% said they are facing major obstacles. The biggest hurdles include financial instability 34%; not knowing what career change makes sense for the 21%; not feeling confident enough to make a change 20%, and seeing no growth opportunities at their company 29%.
  • Going into 2022, professional development is top of mind with many willing to give up key benefits such as vacation time 71%; monetary bonuses 69%; and even part of their salary 66% for more career opportunities.
  • However, 96% of the global workforce are not satisfied with their employer’s support. They are looking for organisations to provide more learning and skills development 42%; higher salaries 32%; and opportunities for new roles within their company 39%.

Employees around the world are hungry for new skills and turning to technology for help

To retain and grow top talent amidst changing workplace dynamics, employers need to pay attention to employee needs more than ever before and leverage technology to provide better support.

  • In the UAE, 96% of people want technology to help define their future by identifying skills they need to develop 42%; recommending ways to learn new skills 42%; and providing next steps to progress towards career goals 38%.
  • 87% of people would make life changes based on robot recommendations.
  • 91% believe robots can support their careers better than a human by giving unbiased recommendations 38%; quickly answering questions about their career 39%; or finding new jobs that fit their current skills 39%.
  • People believe humans still have a critical role to play in career development and believe humans are better at providing support by offering advice based on personal experience 49%; identifying strengths and weaknesses 47%; and looking beyond a resume to recommend roles that fit personalities 41%.
  • 94% of people believe their company should be doing more to listen to their needs and 74% are more likely to stay with a company that uses advanced technologies like artificial intelligence to support career growth.

“The past year and a half changed how we work including where we work and, for a lot of people, who we work for. While there have been a lot of challenges for both employees and employers, this has been an opportunity to change the workplace for the better,” said Dan Schawbel, managing partner, Workplace Intelligence. “The results clearly show that investment in skills and career development is now a key differentiator for employers as it plays a significant role in employees feeling like they have control over their personal and professional lives. Businesses that invest in their employees and help them find opportunities will reap the benefits of a productive, engaged workforce.”

“The last year set a new course for the future of work. Surprisingly, amongst the stress, anxiety, and loneliness of the global pandemic, employees found their voice, became more empowered, and are now speaking up for what they want,” said Yvette Cameron, senior vice president, Oracle Cloud HCM. “The evolving nature of the workplace shifted the way people think about success and reset people’s expectations for how organizations can best support them. To attract and retain talent, businesses need to place a higher priority on helping employees identify and develop new skills and provide personalized career journeys so they can feel in control of their careers again.”

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