17.10.2024 – 08:05
Adecco Group
A document
- Press release~H_17.10.2024_FR.pdf
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Zurich, October 17, 2024 – The “Global Workforce of the Future” survey carried out by the Adecco Group shows the first signs of increased efficiency thanks to AI. In Switzerland, three quarters of people using AI say they are more productive. Compared to other countries, people surveyed in Switzerland also say they are less concerned about job security.
In Switzerland, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) allows employees to save an average of 51 minutes per day, allowing them to spend more time on creative tasks and strategic thinking or finding a job. balance between their professional and private lives. Across all the countries covered by the survey, the time saving is even higher and reaches one hour per day. This is the finding of a large-scale workplace survey published today.
The Adecco Group’s annual Global Workforce of the Future survey was carried out among 35,000 employees in 27 leading economic powers. In Switzerland, 1,005 people participated.
17% of Swiss employees who use AI say they save up to two hours per day thanks to artificial intelligence. The global average is 20%. Furthermore, 2% of people surveyed in Switzerland say that AI allows them to save between 3 and 4 hours per day (globally: 5%).
The time saving seems to be confirmed in all sectors. Globally, employees in the energy, utilities and environmental technology sectors reported the highest time savings of 75 minutes per day, while the lowest figure was of 52 minutes per day and concerns people working in aeronautics and defense. Employees in the technology sector saved on average 66 minutes per day, those in the financial sector 57 minutes per day and those in the manufacturing industry 62 minutes per day.
Denis Machuel, CEO of the Adecco Group, said: “There has been a lot of speculation about how AI will change the world of work. It is therefore all the more interesting to now see the first possible signs of a gain in efficiency. The time saved by employees is clearly used wisely. Moreover, the time savings linked to AI are not limited to one or two sectors, but seem to concern all sectors. We are only at the beginning, but AI seems to be delivering on its promises.”
The survey reveals that the time saved is used to increase added value. In Switzerland, 31% of respondents (globally: 28%) say they use this extra time to do more creative tasks, 27% (26%) say AI has allowed them to spend more time thinking strategic, while 28% (27%) say AI has helped them better balance their professional and personal lives. However, there is some evidence that the time saved by AI is not always used productively. 23% of respondents – both in Switzerland and globally – indicated that they were managing the same workload, while in Switzerland, 23% of respondents indicated that they were spending more time on activities personal (globally: 21%).
A changing world of work: AI requires targeted internal measures for mobility and continuing education
The survey not only measures the impact of AI, but also provides other information on developments in the world of work.
Promote employability
Employees are increasingly worried about their future. An economic framework and job security are absolute priorities for them. Certainly, more and more employees are choosing to stay with their current employer, but the impact of AI on job stability was largely underestimated last year: in Switzerland, 20 % of employees said they had lost their job because of AI. All countries combined, this figure is slightly lower (13%).
Marcel Keller, Country President of the Adecco Group Switzerland, said: “The rapid integration of AI into the world of work in Switzerland underlines how important continuing education and adaptability are. Companies must prioritize these aspects to remain competitive.”
In Switzerland, 32% of respondents express doubts about long-term job security (globally: 40%). In Switzerland, 81% of respondents said they intended to stay with their current employer. Globally, this figure is 83% – the highest in three years.
But opinions on the disruptive effects of AI balance out when other aspects are considered. Thus, 66% (in Switzerland) and 51% (globally) of employees agree with the statement that skills in the field of AI broaden their professional opportunities, and 65% (46% globally) believe that AI offers them more opportunities to learn new skills and advance their careers.
Skills are not enough: adaptability, the key to success
A selected group of high-performing employees outperforms their co-workers, which is mainly due to strong support from their employer. In order to develop this part of the workforce and train the executives of tomorrow, companies must give priority to continuous improvement of skills.
Currently, only 4% of employees in Switzerland are future-oriented. By this notion we mean people who stand out for their ability to adapt, their willingness to organize career plans flexibly and their proactive approach to acquiring new skills. On a global average, this figure is slightly higher (11%).
In the overall group of future-oriented employees, the survey revealed that on average 93% benefit from an individual personal development plan, compared to 51% for all staff. Furthermore, on a global average, 95% of these future-oriented employees participate in leadership training offered by their company, compared to only 57% for all staff.
Promote internal mobility
Employees could lose confidence in their employer’s commitment, especially as the desire for greater internal mobility increases, while fewer and fewer employees choose to stay at home. employer and to train.
Globally, 76% of employees believe that companies should first train existing staff for different functions within the company before recruiting external staff. This figure has increased by 12 percentage points since 2023. In Switzerland, the proportion is similar, with 74%. However, globally, only 9% of respondents plan to stay with their company for training. This figure is down 7 percentage points from the previous year.
Mental health remains essential in a rapidly changing world
Concerning the mental health of employees should be a top priority. Companies should address concerns that AI could favor certain groups of employees. They must also demonstrate their commitment to inclusion and sustainable working practices. Over the last 12 months, 34% of employees in Switzerland have experienced burnout due to work overload. Worldwide, 40% have experienced this situation.
On a global average, this figure reaches 62% among people who are worried about the repercussions of AI and who experience its negative effects. In Switzerland, the majority (58%) of respondents are confident that their company’s management has sufficient knowledge of AI to understand the risks and opportunities associated with this technology. In contrast, on a global average, staff members’ confidence in their management’s AI skills and knowledge is significantly lower (46%).
More than three quarters of those questioned appreciate the human expertise of a recruiter (76% both at Swiss and global level) who sees in them potential beyond the scope of their skills and experience. Last year, across all countries, only 64% of those surveyed answered this question in the affirmative.
The full survey can be downloaded here.
Contact
Service presse du Groupe Adecco Suisse Annalisa Job, tél. +41 79 560 48 32, [email protected]
About the Global Workforce of the Future survey
For the fifth consecutive year, the Adecco Group surveyed more than 35,000 employees in 27 countries from 20 sectors of activity in order to present a global overview of the main trends in the labor market and to help sector decision-makers private and public to face the rapid evolution of the world of work. In Switzerland, 1,005 employees were interviewed.
About the Adecco Group
The Adecco Group is the world’s leading talent solutions company. Our goal is to build a future for all. Through our three global business units – Adecco, Akkodis and LHH – present in 60 countries, we enable sustainable and lifelong employability for individuals, we provide digital and technical solutions to accelerate the transformation of the smart industry and give businesses the means to optimize their workforce. The Adecco Group leads by example and is committed to creating an inclusive culture, encouraging sustainable employability and supporting resilient economies and communities. The Adecco AG Group, headquartered in Zurich (ISIN: CH0012138605), is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ADEN).
