The Great Disconnect: Dexian Work Futures Study Reveals Critical Gaps Between Workers and Employers on AI, Culture, and Upskilling/Reskilling

Study uncovers areas of improvement for employers across the use of AI, cultural fit, work arrangements, and upskilling/reskilling.

MCLEAN, Va.: Dexian, a leading provider of staffing, IT, and workforce solutions, today announced the findings of its 2024 Work Futures Study. The research uncovers a significant disconnect between what workers want and need and what employers are delivering – from the role of tech/AI in the hiring process, the importance of cultural fit, and preferences in work arrangements to the need for upskilling/reskilling. The study was fielded between December 2023 and April 2024 and included responses from 2,000 workers and 1,325 HR decision makers.

AI and the hiring process.

The 2024 Work Futures Study finds that most workers believe companies rely too much on technology and AI in the hiring process. Meanwhile, according to the study findings, six in 10 employers are struggling with how and where to utilize AI in the hiring process. Other findings include:

• Nearly three-quarters (72%) of workers agree that employers are relying too much on technology and AI in the hiring process.
• Less than half (48%) of workers agree that tech-enabled job searches will help them find the right job for them quicker.
• Only 24% of workers believe AI should be used in the reviewing of resumes/applications.

“While it’s understandable that some workers have apprehensions about the use of AI in the hiring process, it is crucial for organizations to address these anxieties. Doing so helps workers and jobseekers understand that if responsibly and properly implemented, AI tools can boost their job search and help get them into their ideal jobs more quickly,” says Maruf Ahmed, CEO of Dexian. “Use of AI in recruiting and staffing should not be about replacing the human touch and decision-making that is critical in the hiring process; it should be about finding ways to increase efficiency and effectiveness to drive great results more quickly. That’s the approach we have taken at Dexian, and we call upon all companies to ensure they take an ethical and responsible approach to integrating existing and future technologies in their hiring process.”

It’s All About Flexibility.

The study also finds that workers are not only less enamored with full-time employment, they also intend to seek out employers that offer these flexible work arrangement options. And 32% of workers would consider looking for another job if their current employer mandated employees return to work onsite full-time. Other findings include:

• 62% of workers agree that the idea of a full-time job is less appealing to them now than it once was.
• Nearly three in 10 employers (28%) don’t have a formalized method for determining an optimal mix between full-time employees and alternative talent arrangements.
• 78% of workers say it is extremely/very important when looking for their next job that an employer offers a full range of employment options, including full-time employment, part-time perm, full-time and part-time temporary, independent contractor, consultant, and gig arrangements.

In Dire Need of Reskilling/Upskilling.

Rapid technological advances can result in employees feeling left behind, and according to the 2024 Work Futures Study findings, many of them do. Nearly half (49%) of workers agree they have had difficulty progressing in their career because of the rapid changes in the workplace. Other findings include:

• 75% of workers agree they must continually reinvent themselves/reskill due to the rapid pace of change in their profession.
• 59% of workers agree it is difficult to plan for their future career due to continuously changing technologies.

A Culture Disconnect.

In the study, employers ranked “cultural fit” as least important when hiring new employees. Meanwhile, nearly one-quarter (24%) of workers ranked “values/soft skills/cultural fit” as most important when employers are hiring new employees. Other findings include:

• Only 43% of workers say they underwent values or culture assessments for their current job.
• Only 50% of workers agree their employers have built a value-based culture using employee surveys/data to identify what is important to them.

“Workers are clearly demanding more of their employers, and many companies aren’t answering the call to better understand the kaleidoscope of the worker experience in today’s environment,” says Ahmed. “Particularly when it comes to the role of AI, we have to continue to listen and understand the true sentiments of workers and identify the important moments in time across the hiring process that should remain human-driven.”

Visit https://dexian.com/workforce-trends/ to learn more about the 2024 Work Futures Study.

ABOUT DEXIAN:

Dexian is a leading provider of staffing, IT, and workforce solutions with nearly 12,000 employees and 70 locations worldwide. It is one of the largest IT and professional staffing companies and the second largest minority-owned staffing company in the U.S. Dexian was launched in 2023 and created from the combination of DISYS, Signature Consultants, and other strategic acquisitions.

Dexian fuses the best elements of its legacy companies to create a platform that connects talent, technology, and organizations to produce game-changing results that help everyone achieve their ambitions and goals. Dexian’s brands include Dexian DISYS, Dexian Signature Consultants, Dexian Government Solutions, Dexian Talent Development, and Dexian IT Solutions.

Visit www.dexian.com to learn more.

Fonte: Business Wire