Q2 Workmonitor Pulse survey identifies flexibility as a top priority for blue and grey collar workers
ATLANTA – June 12, 2023 – Randstad has released its Workmonitor Pulse survey — a quarterly report designed to provide key insights from employers about current issues impacting the workplace. The Q2 survey highlights the emergence of flexibility as a currency for workers in both blue and grey collar industries. As these employees seek to enjoy the flexibility the pandemic awarded to office workers, many employers risk upsetting their staff if they don’t act.
“Although flexible work started as a white-collar discussion, it has clearly permeated to both blue and grey collar sectors. As the most equitable and specialized talent company, we encourage employers across every industry to make a concerted effort to keep up with the changing priorities of their employees,” said Greg Dyer, Chief Commercial Officer at Randstad USA. “This past quarter’s Workmonitor Pulse survey is further proof that we are in an evolving job market.”
Specific insights from the United States include:
Prioritization of flexibility, no matter the industry
- Two fifths of blue collar workers (42%) and close to half of grey collar workers (48%) deem flexibility at work as important, or more important, than pay
- Blue and grey collar workers prioritize flexibility in terms of working schedule (29% and 28% respectively) and number of hours worked (25.7% and 17.1%% respectively)
Flexibility translates to different things for different jobs
- Although it is usually viewed through the prism of remote work, flexibility means different things for different industries
- Spending time with family and friends (blue collar - 61% & grey collar - 52.8%), having more time to rest (blue collar - 50.9% & grey collar - 39.3%) and getting healthy and fit (blue collar - 42.8% & grey collar - 38.6%) are all reasons that blue and grey collar workers are looking for increased flexibility.
- Whereas, white collar workers are most likely to value flexibility in terms of location (46% )
Many employers are slow to act
- Despite the growing demand, many workers say their employers have still not made changes
- 41.3% of blue collar, and 40.1% of grey collar professionals believe their employer is not trying hard enough to provide flexibility
- Only 19.7% of blue collar, and 32.3% of grey collar professionals have seen increased flexibility since the pandemic. This is compared to over half (52.5%) of white collar office workers
Consequences for employers
- Offering flexibility to non-office workers is no longer an option - it is a business imperative, as they are willing to take action if it is not prioritized
- 45% of blue collar and 42.1% of grey collar professionals have left a job or changed careers due to lack of flexibility
- 36.8% of blue collar & 34.2% of grey collar professionals have taken sick days to manage personal responsibilities
“The Workmonitor pulse report reiterates that blue and grey collar employees are craving additional flexibility in their careers,” continued Dyer. “It’s time that employers in these industries see flexible work as something that is not only possible, but beneficial for their employees.”
Download your copy of the Workmonitor Pulse survey here.
About the Randstad Workmonitor
The workmonitor pulse surveys provide quarterly insights into talent's expectations from employers in relation to current issues impacting the workplace. The survey was conducted online in March 2023 on 7,500 blue, grey, and white-collar workers in the US, the UK, Australia , France and Germany.
About Randstad
Randstad North America, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Randstad N.V., the world’s largest talent company and a partner of choice to clients. We are committed to providing equitable opportunities to people from all backgrounds and helping them remain relevant in the rapidly changing world of work. We have a deep understanding of the labor market and help our clients to create the high-quality, diverse and agile workforces they need to succeed.
Randstad was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Diemen, the Netherlands. In 2022, in our 39 markets, we helped more than 2 million people find a job that feels good and advised over 230,000 clients on their talent needs. We generated revenue of €27.6 billion. Randstad N.V. is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam. For more information, see www.randstad.com
Randstad's North American operations comprise 7,100 associates and a deployed workforce of 91,100 in the U.S. and Canada. In addition to staffing and recruitment, Randstad offers outsourcing, consulting and workforce management solutions for generalist and specialist disciplines, including technology, engineering, accounting and finance, clinical and non-clinical healthcare, human resources, legal, life sciences, manufacturing and logistics, office and administration and sales and marketing. Global concepts available to North American client companies include RPO, MSP, integrated talent solutions, payrolling and independent contractor management and career transition services. Learn more at www.randstadusa.com or www.randstad.ca.
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Kiara Reynolds-Westry
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