The COVID-19 pandemic has led companies to rapidly accelerate digitization plans, according to new ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN) research released this week at World Economic Forum’s #DavosAgenda.
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The survey of 26,000+ employers in more than 40 countries finds those companies that are digitizing most are creating the most jobs:
- Organizations are accelerating their digitization as a result of the pandemic: 38% are speeding up, while just 17% have put plans on hold.
- Employers that are digitizing plan to increase or maintain their headcount: 86% of those that have accelerated digitization will add roles compared to just 11% of employers who plan to reduce or hold their automation plans.
- The impact of the pandemic on digitization differs significantly around the world: Employers in Germany, Austria, Japan, and Italy report automation has accelerated most as the result of COVID-19 while those in the U.S., France and the U.K. are least likely to have sped up digitization.
- HR accelerates as a business priority: Organizations that are digitizing most are also planning significant increases in HR headcount (net increase of +15%). A shift from 2018 when HR headcount was predicted by most employers to see no growth.
- COVID-19 has shifted HR priorities for the long-term: HR leaders see employee health and wellbeing as the most important priority, with 63% set to put it top of their agenda for 2021 and beyond.
“Our research reinforces that digital transformation is occurring at an accelerating pace,” said Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup Chairman & CEO. “Today technology breakthroughs are driving mass vaccination programs, workforce transformation and flexibility, plus a call for better work-life blend, more upskilling and greater autonomy over how, when and where work gets done.
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One year into the pandemic though, we are seeing the emergence of a K-shaped recovery. Some industries and people are bouncing back faster and better – while others are at risk of falling further behind. Helping people to upskill and reskill for in-demand roles in this Skills Revolution remains the defining challenge of this decade. At the #DavosAgenda this week we look forward to sharing and accelerating actions that will enable more people to unleash their full human potential and have a more equitable share of prosperity.”