Resetting Normal: Defining the New Era of Work

#ResetNormal – Is the world ready for a hybrid work model?

Sweeping workplace changes are expected in a post-pandemic world, according to The Adecco Group’s Research

Businesses and workers call for greater flexibility, questions raised over the hours-based contract, and a new empathetic leadership profile emerges

• The research revealed that the working world is ready for a new “hybrid” model, with three quarters (74%) of workers surveyed saying a mix of office-based and remote working is the best way forward whereas in Singapore, 81% would like more flexibility in how and where they work.
• Boom in digital skills an unintended consequence of lockdown, with tech knowhow improving for six in 10 (61%), and two thirds (69%) eager for further digital upskilling post-pandemic
• A broad range of skills development were identified as important by the workforce, including managing staff remotely (65%), soft skills (63%) and creative thinking (55%).
• Workers demand greater flexibility after coronavirus, with a 50/50 split of remote and office time confirmed as the universal ideal
• Questions raised over the hours-based contract, with 69% saying contracts should be based on results delivered rather than hours worked
• Leaders need to reinvent themselves as more emotionally intelligent, but they are not prepared, as less than half felt equipped to support employees holistically during the pandemic

Zurich, Switzerland, June 30, 2020 – The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in pivotal shifts in attitudes and expectations among workers and leaders, as both call for permanent changes in how and where we work, workplace relationships and future skills, according to new research from the Adecco Group.

The Adecco Group, the world’s leading HR solutions company, unveiled the results of its latest study, Resetting Normal: Defining the New Era of Work, examining the expected short- and long-term impact of the pandemic on resetting workplace norms. Fieldwork was conducted in May 2020, with 8,000 office-based respondents across Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, the UK and the USA.

The Adecco Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Alain Dehaze, said: “The world of work will never return to the “normal” we knew before the pandemic struck. The sudden and dramatic change in the workplace landscape has accelerated emerging trends such as flexible working, high-EQ leadership, and re-skilling, to the point where they are now fundamental to organisational success. As many countries emerge from the acute crisis phase of the pandemic, employers have an opportunity to “hit reset” on traditional workplace practices – many of which have remained largely unchanged since the industrial revolution. This research highlights that employee attitudes have shifted and gaps between workforce expectations and entrenched labour market processes have been exposed. As we step into the new era of work, now is the time to establish better norms that will enable a holistically healthy, productive and inclusive workforce into the future.”

Adecco Singapore’s Country Manager, Betul Genc, said: “The future of work has been accelerated by the pandemic. Prompt precautionary measures such as the circuit breaker and phased reopening in Singapore has pushed everyone to adapt to the new work norm and to adapt fast. Emerging trends such as flexible work, soft skills, leadership, reskilling and upskilling are now key to organizational success. As Singapore progress towards phase 3 of reopening, organisations have an opportunity to start early in order to ‘reset normal’ and ‘restart safely’ by relooking work practices, plan necessary support required for employees to return to the new normal and establish enhanced norms to enable a holistically healthy, productive and inclusive workforce into the future.”

Download the Resetting Normal: Defining the New Era of Work full report below.