Companies making significant changes in how work gets done, WTW survey finds

LONDON, May 10, 2023 — The drive to reshape work at organisations forges on, according to a new survey by leading global advisory, broking and solutions company WTW (NASDAQ: WTW). Furthermore, a relatively small number of organisations reported they are effectively managing the various business and people risks associated with the ever-changing work landscape.

According to WTW’s Dynamics of Work Survey, companies in the UK expect that two-thirds of their employees (67%) will work either fully remotely or hybrid in three years, compared with 21% before the pandemic.

“As employers put the pandemic behind them and look to the future, their need to reimagine how and where work gets done is at an all-time high,” said Alasdair Wood, Work and Rewards Leader, WTW. “This transformation, including the shift to remote work, has led to an increase in people, business and operational risks. Unfortunately, many employers believe they are falling short in the critical responsibility of managing these risks.”

Indeed, just two-fifths of UK respondents (44%) report they have effectively managed the risks associated with the dynamics of work — changing work conditions, digitalisation and alternative sources of talent — over the past three years. Employers are currently taking or planning to take action to address these risks. These include:

• Digitalisation: One in five UK respondents (22%) are expecting and are prepared for greater use of digitalisation and automation. This compares with one-third of respondents (33%) globally. Among those, 39% are redesigning jobs or roles to reallocate work between employees, nonemployees and new technologies; another 19% are planning to do so this year.
• Working conditions: Half of UK respondents (50%) are expecting and are prepared for greater use of changing working conditions. Globally, over four in 10 respondents (44%) are expecting and prepared. Among those, 37% have conducted employee listening activities to identify changes in employee preferences or measure the impact of changing work conditions. Another 36% are redesigning the employee experience to promote the shift to the new work culture.
• Alternative talent sources: More than a fifth of UK respondents (22%) are expecting and are prepared for greater use of alternative talent sources, which aligns with global figures (21%). Among those, 39% are redesigning the employee experience to align with new work and career models; another 15% are planning to strength external communication about changes to potential employees this year.

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Creating a sustainable competitive advantage will require robust strategies to unlock the potential of these shifts and careful management of people and operational risks.”

Alasdair Wood | Work and Rewards Leader at WTW

“The dynamics of work will continue to evolve for many years. Creating a sustainable competitive advantage will require robust strategies to unlock the potential of these shifts and careful management of people and operational risks. Effective plans will start by placing talent at the heart of work changes by understanding employee preferences and perceptions, aligning work and total rewards programs, and strengthening risk management frameworks,” said Alasdair Wood, Work and Rewards Leader, WTW.

About the survey

A total of 720 respondents globally, including 55 from the United Kingdom, participated in the Dynamics of Work Survey. It was conducted during February and March 2023. Respondents employ 8.5 million workers.

About WTW

At WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), we provide data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk and capital. Leveraging the global view and local expertise of our colleagues serving 140 countries and markets, we help organizations sharpen their strategy, enhance organizational resilience, motivate their workforce and maximize performance.

Working shoulder to shoulder with our clients, we uncover opportunities for sustainable success—and provide perspective that moves you.