Continuing from yesterday’s post, here are six additional things currently defining and shaping the American workforce in 2018.
1. Growth of Blue-Collar, Administrative, and Sales Roles Is Declining
With the widespread use of automation and artificial intelligence, many blue-collar, administrative, and sales-based roles are not expected to grow in the coming years.
However, this is also because more people in the workforce are acquiring more education and are demanding jobs where they can put their new skills to use. In addition, about one-quarter of the net job gain is expected to be in healthcare occupations, which are projected to grow almost 20% over 10 years.
2. Need for Social Skills and Analytical Skills Is Rising
According to Pew Research:
“The earnings of workers in jobs requiring higher levels of social and analytical skills have risen proportionately more than the earnings of those in jobs requiring higher levels of physical skills….
“Employment in jobs requiring average or above-average levels of social skills, such as interpersonal, communications or management skills, increased 83% from 1980 to 2015. Meanwhile, employment in jobs requiring higher levels of analytical skills, such as critical thinking and computer use, increased 77%.”
3. Flat Earnings and Decline in Employer-Provided Benefits
Overall, American workers have not received much of a pay raise from 1980 to 2015. And the share of American workers covered by a health insurance plan through their own employers dropped from 62% in 1980 to 51% in 2013.
Additionally, employees participating in an employer-sponsored retirement plan fell by over 10% since 1980. So, competitive organizations will be able to gain the best talent if they offer more competitive wages and better benefits.
4. Employees are Working Longer Hours
The average length of a typical workweek is also up, increasing to 38.7 hours in 2015 from 38.1 hours in 1980. Overall, this adds up to an additional 1 month’s worth of work. And women in particular have significantly increased the number of hours they work every week.
5. Employees Want Work Opportunities with a Purpose
Keeping employees engaged is becoming more of a priority in the current American workforce economy, as employees and prospects are starting to look for opportunities and organizations with a real purpose and that fit with their personal values.
According to one recent survey, 33% of workers said they wanted to switch occupations because they were bored, 24% said it was because their current company culture didn’t fit with their personal values, and only 19% said it was because they wanted a higher salary.
6. Financial and Mental Wellness Becomes a Priority
Around 78% of Americans are currently living paycheck to paycheck, and student loan debt has reached over $1.4 trillion. Workers are struggling, and it’s affecting their health, their productivity, and their satisfaction on the job.
Competitive organizations are recognizing this and are prioritizing financial and mental wellness initiatives and programs for their employees.
As you develop your organizational programs and strategies, be sure to consider the 11 things currently defining and shaping the American workforce in 2018 listed above and in yesterday’s post.