by Patrick Glynn
As we wrap up 2022, let’s look over some insights we found as a company through surveying job seekers and managers.
Recession Fears
During uncertain economic times, we found the majority of job seekers are worried about their job security. That data was reflected over two surveys we conducted: one in June 2022, and one in November 2022. Though the percentage of employees worried about their job dropped slightly from June to November (78% to 70%), many said they’d be willing to take a pay cut to ensure they kept their job.
Recession fears may explain another finding: three-quarters of employees plan to stay at their current job. That’s a large increase from The Great Resignation period in 2020 and 2021, where over 50% of employees switched jobs and/or careers.
Some other insights we found regarding employees feelings during uncertain times include:
- 73% of workers say the fear of a possible recession has motivated them focus on upskilling
- Three in five managers say their company is practicing labor hoarding
- 75% of managers said they’d take a pay cut to keep their job
- Half of employees don’t think their company would convey its recession plans, and two-thirds of managers don’t, either
Though recession worries likely won’t qualm as we head into 2023, unemployment remains at an extremely low 3.7%.
Job Seekers Pass on Dream Jobs Because They Don’t Think They’re a Good Fit
In November, Insight Global launched our Be the Light tour—a mobile career center aimed at empowering job seekers through opportunity.
Before the tour launched in Atlanta, we surveyed local job seekers about their motivations for finding new jobs, barriers to applying, and more. Here is what we found:
- 73% of job seekers passed on applying to a dream job because they didn’t think they are a good fit for the role
- One-third of job seekers aren’t confident in their abilities, and the same number say they’re intimidated of the job search
- One-quarter of job seekers don’t know how to get started in their job search
- The primary motivator for job seekers to find a new job is to improve their life and the lives of those around them
We helped over 300 job seekers at the first tour stop, offering free headshots, resume workshops, networking opportunities, and other career readiness skills. Check out our 2023 Be the Light tour dates.
Politics at Work is a No-No
We conducted a survey around the midterm elections in 2022. We found that an overwhelming number of workers—85%—said they’d prefer work to be a politics-free zone, with 74% of employees saying politics can increase tensions in the workplace. (However, around half of Gen-Z and Millennials say they’re inclined to talk politics at work).
“As business leaders, it’s our job – and more than that, our responsibility – to understand employee concerns and provide the leadership necessary to unite them around an organization’s missions and values,” Insight Global CEO Bert Bean said. “That means stepping up and having a good handle on how to successfully navigate political issues in the workplace – all which can be key to retaining your talent.”
For some more content from 2022, check out our:
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