The Outsourcing Week in Review (Future of Work): June 02, 2023

Welcome to Inside Outsourcing: The Outsourcing Week in Review

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Good morning! Let’s celebrate the first Friday of June with a quick recap of the ever-evolving world of work. First on our agenda is everyone’s favorite topic… the elusive W-L-B…

The work-life balance challenge continues on center stage in the professional world. In Hong Kong, 42% of workers resigned from their jobs due to a lack of work-life balance. According to the latest Randstad Employer Brand Research (REBR) study, this trend is becoming more prevalent among Millennials, who are more inclined to change jobs, while Generation Z are less prone to job-hopping. Other influencing factors for resignation include low compensation, rising living costs, and lack of career growth opportunities.

Similarly, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) reported that around four million workers in the United Kingdom changed careers in the past year due to workplace inflexibility. In their study, the CIPD revealed that 71% of workers value flexible work patterns, while 69% deem remote work important when considering new roles. As the pendulum swings towards flexibility and balance, the institute is advising employers to adapt and prepare for an impending UK legislation that grants the right to request flexible work from day one.

In the quest for the right balance between work and life, is it still possible to manifest an “Ironman-like” culture in the office? According to Outsource Accelerator (OA) Founder and CEO Derek Gallimore, the key lies in finding the right people. He added that the critical factors to fostering an “Ironman-like” dedication in the workplace include willingness, passion, understanding, and genuine interest from both the employer and employees.

Despite the widespread myth of tech professionals glued to their desks round the clock, much of their day is spent on other tasks. In an anonymous survey on the job messaging platform Blind, 45% admitted spending only four hours daily on “real work.” The poll, initiated by an Akvelon software engineer, gathered responses from over 8,400 tech professionals, with just 25% claiming to work eight hours or more daily. Respondents cited the mentally draining nature of their work and frequent distractions as reasons for shorter periods of focused work.

We’re also observing significant changes in the demographic dynamics of the workforce.

For instance, the participation rate of women workers in the United States (U.S.) reached a record 77.5% in April. According to Bloomberg, remote work adoption, abundant job vacancies, an increasing number of women holding college degrees, and additional family income drive this increase. However, economist Kathryn Anne Edwards noted that this rise “is not the same as thriving” as most of the available jobs for women are in lower-paying sectors, signaling the need for further adjustments to ensure equality.

On the other hand, a recent survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed that 69% of Filipino job seekers struggle to secure a job. Addressing this issue, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) calls for implementing the Labor and Employment Plan (LEP) to facilitate sustainable job creation and a livable wage.

Amid these employment issues, the city of Lagos in Nigeria will train 500 students from public schools to enhance their creativity and critical thinking skills. The initiative, Project iCommunity, aims to equip students with problem-solving capabilities. Titi Adewusi, the convener of STEAM Fun Fest, added that the program would allow students to learn essential skills for the future of work.

As we navigate the entrance of artificial intelligence in the workplace, New York City is preparing to enforce a landmark law concerning AI use in hiring and promotion. The new law — which would be enforced starting July 5, 2023 — requires companies to disclose the use of AI to job applicants. A mandated annual independent technology audit is also needed to check for potential bias. While some critics argue that the law is too lenient and could be more beneficial to businesses, others believe it represents a significant advance in AI regulation and sets a precedent for the rest of the country.

This development comes in the wake of a Workport survey revealing that 70% of recruitment officers in Japan wouldn’t be swayed by candidates using AI, like ChatGPT, to create resumes and other application materials. According to Japanese recruiters, they value interviews and professional achievements over writing skills, especially for mid-career applicants. However, 71% also expressed no intention to ban ChatGPT in the recruitment process due to the challenge of distinguishing its output from human writing.

In other news, a leaked document from Amazon revealed its strategy to compete in the generative AI space against rivals such as OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google. According to the leaked playbook, the eCommerce giant is leveraging its long history in machine learning and AI, as well as Amazon Web Services (AWS), to position itself favorably against leading AI companies across the globe.

May the best AI win!

The future of work stories this week​..

31 May 2023

• NYC to enforce AI rules on hiring, promotion – read article…
• 45% of tech workers spend 4 hours on focused work – read article…
• Japanese hiring decisions will remain unaffected by ChatGPT, says poll – read article…

30 May 2023

• 69% of Filipinos struggling with job search — survey – read article…
• 4Mn UK workers shifted careers amid workplace inflexibility — CIPD – read article…
• Lagos to train 500 students in design, problem-solving – read article…

29 May 2023

• U.S. women workforce participation rate hits all-time high – read article…
• Japanese startup secures $30Mn to build space robot workforce – read article…
• NYC to study hybrid work’s impact on transport, economy – read article…

26 May 2023

• Gen Z should avoid remote work for professional, romantic success – read article…
• Leaked playbook reveals Amazon’s generative AI plans – read article…
• OpenAI calls for global AI oversight body – read article… 

25 May 2023

• Former Google CEO dispels job loss concerns over AI progress – read article…
• Work-life balance tops resignation reasons in Hong Kong – read article…
• Behavioral scientist criticizes return-to-office mandates – read article…