Workforce Strategy a Low Priority for Most Employers

While skilled talent remains difficult to find and flexible workforce models combined with long-term HR planning are necessary to compete in the modern business age, very few companies have a functioning workforce strategy in place, says a new study by ManpowerGroup. The report found that 78 percent of employers struggle to implement their workforce strategy or lack one all-together. Furthermore, just 38 percent of employers feel HR is a full-business partner, globally.

“All companies, large and small, need a workforce strategy to succeed in the Human Age,” said Owen Sullivan, ManpowerGroup President of Specialty Brands. “Without a strategy for structuring flexible work models, it’s impossible to adjust to fluctuating demand for products and services. Winning companies are able to identify and recruit the right mix of part-time, full-time and skilled talent to meet real-time and future needs.”

“For any growing employer and economy to thrive in the Human Age — an era marked by increasingly scarce skilled talent — employers will require direct and immediate access to talent through contemporary work models,” said Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup President of the Americas.

The report also pointed to the need for the economy to facilitate the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises in order to improve and sustain economic growth. Without the proper economic framework and required resources, small and medium enterprises will be unable to grow.