34% of employees are willing to change jobs within 12 months

According to a statement from the international consulting firm EY, the company has presented significant findings through its Work Reimagined 2023 Survey by analyzing new balances in business life, employee experiences, and the measures that need to be taken to improve work environments.

According to the research, which shows that companies are no longer acting solely based on the lasting consequences of the pandemic, employers are viewing the challenges they face through the perspective of economic and geopolitical pressures in addition to workforce-related pressures.

For employers, this means that decisions are being based on geopolitical instability in addition to inflation, economic slowdown, and the resulting weakening market demand.

Employers' concerns regarding access to talent and how to remain productive with a hybrid work model persist. Attracting new talent and retaining existing talent rank first and second on the list of workforce risks identified by employers.

According to the EY survey, most employees in an environment of high inflation and cost of living are demanding a business world where better bonuses, special packages, a desire for higher well-being, and job flexibility are constant, and they are striving to acquire the skills needed to reach this goal.

Gökhan Gümüşlü, EY Turkey Consulting Services Leader and Partner, whose views were included in the statement, stated that the research provides a guide for the steps that need to be taken in the new era of the business world, and noted the following:

"It reveals the emerging horizon for the 'next normal' of the business world. According to the research results, the next normal is shaped by internal and external pressures faced by both employers and employees. The research reveals that employees prioritize their work-life balance and that organizations must determine an effective strategy by understanding their expectations. In this context, redesigned work strategies encourage a flexible and sustainable workforce structure. At the same time, it is believed that a better work experience can be offered to employees by integrating technology and artificial intelligence into business processes and increasing productivity. All of these point to the need for solutions that focus deeply on the needs and experiences of employees in a human-centric model."

34% OF EMPLOYEES ARE WILLING TO CHANGE JOBS WITHIN 12 MONTHS

According to the research, 57% of employers believe that a more challenging economic environment will reduce the likelihood of employees looking for new jobs. Although slightly lower than last year, 34% of employees appear willing to change their jobs within 12 months.

Wages remain the primary source of concern for employees. Furthermore, both employers and employees prefer working remotely 2 or 3 days a week. However, when given the choice, half of the employees do not want to be in the office for more than one day a week, while 34% prefer to work entirely remotely. Accordingly, companies that provide flexibility in the business world are more likely to attract and retain talent.

It is observed that both employees and employers are generally interested in generative artificial intelligence. It is also believed that this will affect job descriptions.

Most employees prioritize developing their work skills for reasons such as being prepared for future technological leaps and maintaining their positions in a competitive labor market. At this point, it is important for companies to support work experiences by offering various training and development opportunities to prepare their employees for this change.

Taking the necessary measures to meet employees' requirements, improve work environments, and increase employee engagement is of great importance. In this direction, it is seen that conducting surveys aimed at employees to identify what their expectations and needs are would be quite beneficial.

It is observed that as the quality of work environments improves, company culture and productivity are also positively affected. Offering meaningful projects to employees is also among the leading factors supporting employee engagement. 66% of employees state that being involved in projects that make their work more meaningful would increase their satisfaction.