With winter coming to a close, spring sunshine teasing and the rollout of vaccines progressing, optimism is in the air. In fact, organizations across the globe report continued improvements in their hiring outlooks for the second quarter.
The latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey, which measures employers’ intentions to increase or decrease the number of employees in their workforces, revealed improvement in hiring intentions in 24 of the 43 markets since last quarter. The survey – conducted January/February 2021 – is the most comprehensive, forward-looking employment survey of its kind, used globally as a key economic indicator.
According to the survey, employers are more optimistic than last quarter with 77% expecting to return to pre-pandemic hiring levels by the end of the year. The greatest forecasts are reported in the U.S., Taiwan, Australia and Singapore. And while employers in all U.S. sectors are anticipating positive outlooks, Leisure & Hospitality, Transportation & Utilities and Wholesale & Retail Trade prove strongest.
Despite the hiring projection steadiness in the U.S., one in three employers are unsure about their vaccination plans.
- 48% report that it will be up to employees to decide
- 31% are undecided
- 17% plan to encourage getting vaccinated by promoting the benefits or offering incentives such as a cash bonus
- only 4% will actually require all employees to be vaccinated.
And what about new ways of working?
- 56% of U.S. organizations believe their employees will be workplace-based all or most of the time in the next 6-12 months.
- 19% will offer a hybrid work style with onsite and remote work
- 10% report plans for flexible shift patterns or condensed hours
- 9% are unsure how the majority of their employees will work.
Whether you are decreasing or increasing your workforce or shifting your work models, we can help. Our research, market intelligence and workforce trends analysis can inform your talent strategy for today and tomorrow.