Lifelong learning and current HR trends
Hays, in cooperation with IBE, surveyed approximately 1000 corporate decision-makers from various companies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in an empirical study for this year’s HR Report. The HR Report, published in January 2020, focuses on lifelong learning and also looks at current HR trends.
Conclusion: Lifelong learning has a high priority in the company. The learning methods used for this purpose will change today and in the future. The topic of employee retention, on the other hand, continues to be of very high relevance in HR trends, as in previous years.
Traditional vs. virtual learning methods
The topic of lifelong learning is increasingly coming into focus against the backdrop of the volatility and speed of today’s working world. Looking at the learning methods used, the results of the study indicate a change today and in the future, which was certainly accelerated by the Corona crisis:
Nowadays, methods such as learning on the job and face-to-face seminars are most commonly used. 39 – 41% of respondents use these traditional learning methods. In five years, the use of webinars (42%) and learning videos (36%) will be of increasing relevance compared to today. Since the study predates the COVID-19 pandemic, this prediction may have already been more than realized. It certainly remains to be seen how it will stabilize after the crisis. New formats such as virtual reality and virtual exchange forums could also be used more and more in the future. However, different results can be seen depending on the age of the respondents. Just under half of those over 50, for example, see learning on the job as very relevant in the future as well. Among respondents under 50, only one in three assumes this.
Employee retention is top HR trend – working atmosphere a significant influencing factor
In the long-term view, the topic of employee retention remains at the top of the list of top HR topics. In addition to making work structures more flexible and promoting employability, 35% of respondents voted for employee retention. This is the conclusion reached by all the positions surveyed, divided into management, executives and employees. Especially for companies with up to 5000 employees, the topic of employee retention is most important. For companies with more than 5,000 employees, the topic of talent management ranks first. The working atmosphere is one of the most important factors influencing employee loyalty. While 54% of respondents felt that a good working atmosphere was important, only 43% voted for a current implementation of this factor. According to the results, there is still a need for action in implementation, particularly in the area of working atmosphere. In addition to the working atmosphere, remuneration in line with the market, interesting tasks and flexible working hours are also seen as relevant measures and instruments for employee retention.
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