Research from Reeracoen indicates that companies are looking to upskill employees to remain competitive in the wake of technological advancements.
By Maggie Mancini
Reeracoen, a leading provider of human resource services in Singapore, and Rakuten Insight Global, an online market research subsidiary of Rakuten Group, have unveiled the results of their Future of Work survey, revealing a shared concern across generations about the impact of automation and artificial intelligence, underlining the importance of continuous upskilling to remain competitive in the face of technological advancements.
A notable finding is the differing priorities between younger and older workers, with Gen Z and millennial employees placing a higher emphasis on remote work. In contrast, baby boomers and Gen X focus on the technological shifts in the workplace.
A consensus is emerging around the adoption of hybrid work models, with nearly half of respondents from both younger and older generations viewing this as the future norm for office environments. However, opinions diverge regarding virtual teams and leadership evolution, with younger participants predicting a shift towards more empathetic leadership styles to accommodate flexible working arrangements.
“The insights underscore the workplace shifts occurring and the need for organisations to embrace agility, innovation, and inclusivity to thrive,” says Kenji Naito, CEO of Reeracoen. He further emphasised the critical role of continuous learning in enabling individuals and companies to stay relevant in a technologically driven market.
Key findings from the survey are below.
- Younger participants prioritise remote work, while older respondents are more concerned with technological impacts.
- Both groups acknowledge the risk of job elimination due to automation, with a significant number stressing the need for upskilling.
- Technical skills are deemed more essential for future job markets, though the value of continuous learning is universally recognised.
- Views on work-life balance and leadership styles reflect generational divides, with younger workers expecting more empathetic leadership and older workers predicting a decrease in leadership relevance.
