NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leapsome, the AI-powered people platform for HR excellence and high-performing teams, is releasing its 2024 Workforce Trends Report in collaboration with award-winning research agency Opinium. This comprehensive study, surveying 2,500 professionals across the United States and Europe, reveals a clear picture of today’s workforce: one grappling with economic uncertainty, technology challenges, and a growing disconnect between managers and direct reports.
As businesses strive to do more with fewer resources, the report highlights the need for organizations to adapt their people strategies and invest smartly in tech, productivity, and people. "True leadership is about driving business success and genuinely partnering with employees,” says Jenny Podewils, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Leapsome. ”Our research reveals what it takes to excel in both areas, fostering trust and building a more resilient, effective workforce.”
Key findings
1. Economic pressures push HR to rethink strategies
- 85% of HR leaders feel pressured to reduce budgets, with 58% already struggling to get budgets signed off in the past year.
- 69% of HR leaders say the current business climate poses significant challenges, with many struggling to prove ROI on people initiatives.
- Nearly half have faced budget cuts, and over a third had to contend with hiring freezes or layoffs, making it crucial for HR teams to do more with fewer resources.
2. Leaner tech stacks take center stage as a cost-cutting solution
- Simplifying technology solutions is a top priority, with 85% of HR leaders under pressure to consolidate tech stacks to cut expenses and enhance efficiency.
- 78% of HR leaders agree that having a unified source of people data is crucial, not least because 62% find it challenging to gather accurate insights to support business decisions.
- Faced with these challenges, companies are turning to all-in-one platforms that streamline operations, improve data accuracy, and reduce costs.
3. AI can give organizations an edge — but employee adoption lags
- While over 80% of HR leaders and managers use AI for everyday work, only 42% of employees do the same.
- Nearly half of individual contributors express discomfort with AI, citing concerns about job security.
- With AI noticeably increasing efficiency for 83% of users, organizations should focus on highlighting this positive impact and providing clear roadmaps for how AI might impact individual roles.
4. Managers need more support than ever to drive results
- 71% of managers report increased workloads, with 55% experiencing negative impacts on their mental health.
- With 61% of managers overseeing more direct reports than last year due to layoffs and restructuring, burnout and stress are escalating.
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On top of that, there is a disconnect in feedback: While 71% of managers believe they provide regular constructive feedback, only 37% of direct reports agree.
Recommended Actions.
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Encourage employees to embrace AI: Educate employees on how AI can help them be more efficient in their roles rather than replace them, offering training to develop key skills for the future.
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Empower managers with better tools: Equip managers with the systems they need to tailor upskilling programs, career frameworks, and meeting agendas to meet their team’s specific needs, supporting both productivity and well-being.
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Close the feedback gap: Provide managers with training and tools to deliver more consistent and actionable feedback, fostering greater alignment and development in their teams.
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Invest in all-in-one tech solutions: Consolidate tools into an integrated platform to streamline operations, reduce data silos, and enable more strategic decision-making.
“The future of work is as much about people as it is about technology,” Podewils adds. “Our report highlights the need for a balanced approach, combining the right tools with empathetic leadership to ensure the well-being and success of employees across all levels.”
About the research
Leapsome partnered with Opinium to conduct a 15-minute online survey targeting professionals from companies with 50 to 2,500 employees. These companies operate in the technology/IT and professional services/consulting sectors across the USA, United Kingdom, and Germany.
Survey responses were collected between July 31 and August 20, 2024, capturing timely insights during a period of significant technological change and shifting workforce dynamics. This research aims to provide HR leaders and company executives with valuable data on how to navigate these changes, particularly in areas like people leadership, business impact, and technology integration.
To view Leapsome’s study in full, visit leapsome.com/2024-workforce-trends-report.
About Leapsome
Leapsome is the AI-powered people platform for HR excellence and high-performing teams. It automates, connects, and simplifies all HR processes across the entire employee lifecycle from onboarding and performance management to employee engagement and development.
CEOs, managers, and HR teams at more than 1,600 forward-thinking companies trust Leapsome to elevate their people strategy with intelligent insights for better people decisions, AI capabilities to future-proof their HR toolkit, and built-in best practices for developing, engaging, and retaining top talent.
Leapsome was founded in 2016 by Kajetan Armansperg and Jenny Podewils.
