Randstad, the world’s largest talent agency has released its 2023 white paper, titled “Nurturing Authenticity in the Workplace.” The white paper compiles insights from three annual Randstad global studies – Talent Trends, Workmonitor and Employer Branding Research. Collectively, the studies have uncovered the significance of intrinsic benefits, most notably, the sense of belonging and the value employees place on it.
In the 2023 Workmonitor study, 56% of Malaysians said that they would quit a job if they did not feel like they belonged.
Fahad Naeem, Country Director at Randstad Malaysia said, “Understanding the concept of belonging can be challenging, especially for the HR industry which is at the forefront of it. It is crucial for us to see each talent as unique and take the time to understand their preferences and expectations. As the world’s most specialised and equitable talent company, it is our responsibility to ensure that organisations attract the talent they are looking for.”
Here are some of the insights detailed in the white paper:
- While companies can harness technology to empower employees with digital tools for flexible work arrangements, there has been a significant increase in the number of workers across the Asia Pacific region who have returned to the office full-time post-COVID.
- Despite 76% of employers emphasising skills development and career engagement, gender and age disparities in learning and development may hinder an organisation from meeting its overall workforce growth goals.
- According to the Workmonitor survey, 42% of respondents indicated they would not work for an organisation that is not making proactive efforts to be more sustainable. This underscores the need for companies to integrate sustainability into their workforce strategies, and promote a climate-conscious culture to fuel a sense of pride and accomplishment among employees.
- In the face of the region’s diversity, issues such as the lack of female representation in leadership roles, ageism and discrimination against people with disabilities continue to persist. To overcome prevailing cultural inclinations resulting from a lack of awareness and education, employers need to take stronger actions to create a workplace culture where open dialogues and idea sharing are encouraged and recognised.
Naeem added, “As companies introduce new and specialised roles, the competition for talent will intensify. These roles, such as those in digital and smart manufacturing, require expertise beyond what the current talent pool can offer. Instead of focusing solely on financial motivators, organisations have an opportunity to attract and retain talent by aligning with their career aspirations. This begins by fostering an environment where employees feel secure and empowered to be their true selves at work.”
2023 White Paper: Nurturing Authenticity in the Workplace
Within the pages of the white paper, the company deep dives into what modern employees cherish in their careers and at work. The agency also explored strategies for organisations in Asia Pacific to align their core values with the expectations of the talent pool.
The five chapters in this white paper cover topics on:
- Addressing employees’ concerns and reactions to job and digital transformations
- Tackling disparities in training to promote a more equitable workforce development
- Guiding talent in discovering their career purpose within a culture that values environmental consciousness
- Overcoming the challenges of inclusivity in the Asian context
- Implementing strategies to enhance workplace relationships, fostering a positive culture while considering diverse cultural inclinations
