A shortage of skilled workers for tech roles is increasing competition in hiring, per reporting in Computer Weekly. AI, ML, data, cyber, and cloud skills are in demand but lacking. Competitive pay, benefits, and flexibility are important factors for tech workers. Tech hiring has been fluctuating due to the pandemic but is now increasing, focusing on increasing headcount in the first half of 2024.
Axios notes that Managers and employees are using ChatGPT to write performance reviews, finding it helpful for the daunting and monotonous task. While it saves time, users emphasize the need to review and edit the AI-generated responses. Generative AI in performance reviews aims to improve the process and focus on growth and development. However, it is important to note that AI-generated content can be recognized and should not be solely relied upon.
According to a report by Ringover, remote work jobs are becoming harder to find as in-office days at major US companies have increased from 1.1 days per week in 2021 to 3.4 days in 2023. The US also trails behind its major peers in remote work, with only 11.5% of office-based roles being fully remote. Despite this, a survey conducted by Ringover found that nearly two-thirds of respondents would take a lower salary to continue working remotely, and 85% believe all remote-capable jobs should be remote-first.
A recent congressional hearing challenged the productivity and efficacy of remote work policies within the U.S. Department of the Interior. However, evidence presented by Mark Green, the department’s chief human capital officer, showed that telework had not only preserved productivity but also enhanced it. Studies and reports have consistently shown the positive impact of remote work on performance and productivity, challenging traditional beliefs about the effectiveness of in-person work.
Business Insider echoing some of my sentiments. Enforcing big companies’ return-to-office (RTO) mandates may push workers towards startups and small businesses. These smaller firms are more likely to offer remote work options to avoid expensive office leases. Research suggests that RTO mandates can negatively impact employee morale. Disgruntled workers seeking more flexibility may find opportunities in smaller companies, which can compete against larger corporations by attracting and retaining talent.
I also wanted to highlight another Axios piece about the confusion around the new norms for taking sick days. With the shift from remote work to the office, tensions arise between employees who are used to working through illness and those who want to avoid getting sick. Changing norms and the threat of layoffs may discourage workers from taking necessary sick days. In schools, rules around staying home when ill are also changing, contributing to chronic absenteeism. The U.S. lacks national paid sick leave policies, further complicating the issue.
Why do we care?
There’s a whole story here about building great company cultures, changing employee expectations, and the ongoing balancing act between productivity and flexibility. In a tight hiring world, take advantage of your agility by offering more. Ensure you clearly define your policies around sick days and encourage workers to rest up rather than return.
Even the Federal Government is struggling with this issue.
And be careful with those generative AI reviews. Maintaining human oversight is essential to ensure the personalized and nuanced evaluation of employee performance.
