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Future of Work III – Work–life balance or life–work balance?

Great resignation, quiet quitting… The pandemic has changed the place work takes in our lives. According to a study by French market research and consulting firm Ipsos, one in three people in France have changed their career plans since the beginning of the crisis. At the same time, Fondation Jean Jaurès tells us that the proportion of professionally active people who think work is a “very important” part of their lives has shrunk to 24% from 60% in 1990. The number of people resigning from their jobs is also the highest in 15 years, and France is not an outlier – the same trends can be observed in several developed countries

In our interaction with candidates, we have observed the following trends:

1. The relationship to the workplace has changed: while people don’t want to be at the office 100% of the time (not having any possibility of working remote will be a no-go for a great number of people), they also want to feel well when they are on site, so hot desking and large open-space or cramped working conditions are much less desirable than they used to be. The possibility of working remotely, even from far away locations in other countries or continents without the need for additional physical infrastructure like “shared service centres”, has given many qualified workers access to the global market. It also opens up new possibilities to those who want to live far away from their employers’ office locations.

Our advice: If your company is looking at reducing its office footprint to save costs, think hard before acting. Ask what workspace would best serve your interests, maximising retention, productivity, motivation, and creativity of your people. Also consider setting aside more budget to bring remote workers together at regular intervals.

 

2. People want to find purpose in what they do. This trend can be observed in all age groups, but younger workers especially. They want a job that is compatible with their values, where people and the environment are considered as stakeholders and valuable long-term resources.

Our advice: If your company has not yet considered its sustainability agenda / alignment with UN SDGs, it should urgently do so and do it well. Don’t approach it as a PR exercise, even if it holds value in that area later.

 

3. Independence and entrepreneurship come before security: people increasingly favour freelance or project-based collaboration as opposed to long-term contracts. Employee loyalty has declined, in part as a response to disappearing employer loyalty, and people will stay only as long as they feel well in an environment, not hesitating to move or even completely reorient their career.

Our advice: If your company is still focused on long-term, full-time contracts, consider introducing new options like freelance or project-based contracts for a certain number of days per year; part-time work with the possibility, so that the contributor is able to work on other projects in parallel; the possibility of taking sabbaticals or reducing one’s work-time temporarily; or incorporating personal development involving new roles and geographies into the contract from the start, to give just a few examples.

In order to remain attractive and retain talent, companies must definitely rethink their relationship to their employees and the environment. They should also make sure future employees share their values and culture to avoid issues later. AIMS International has a dedicated sustainability team looking at matters related to environmental, social, and corporate governance. We also have a seasoned Talent Management Practice and can support you in bringing about the necessary transformation.

“All these aspects are relevant in the actual and future work environment and require a new type of leadership. One that not only takes them into account, but also thinks and acts while keeping in mind these new needs and motivation factors. Leaders who possess these skills will be a step ahead and really make the difference.”

Catherine Librandi, AIMS International Sustainability Ambassador, EMEA Head Talent Management, Sr Consultant Switzerland and France

“It has never been more important to place the right leaders in key positions. Leaders with a sustainability mindset will lead in an inclusive and unbiased manner and drive these values internally, ensuring an organisation’s employer branding is attractive and relevant to today’s very discerning high-potential talent. Think profit with purpose!”

Leonie Pentz – VP Sustainability of AIMS International, Managing Partner South Africa

About the Author:

Grégoire Depeursinge

Managing Partner

Global Head – Industrial
Practice Member – Automotive & Life Sciences

Managing Partner Switzerland and France

Grégoire originally comes from the Automotive Industry and has held executive positions such as CEO, Director of Procurement & Logistics, Marketing Director, etc. in various European countries. He has studied Marketing and holds an MBA of the renowned Swiss Institute for Management Development (IMD).