Study: Fulfilling Talent Demand Requires Flexible Work Models

Hot off the results of a recent workforce report, ManpowerGroup is advising companies to focus on developing flexible work models in order to adapt to long term workforce trends. The recommendation comes as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics releases unemployment data for August 2012 finding that the jobless rate fell to 8.1 percent as 96,000 new jobs were added in the private sector.

“Flexible work models – which include temporary, part-time, full-time and virtual workers – remain the best option for an economy beset by wildly fluctuating demand,” said Jeffrey A. Joerres, ManpowerGroup Chairman and CEO. “U.S. employers face extreme uncertainty from what’s happening in the Euro Area and with the U.S. general election two months away, yet demand exists and employers continue to need the right workers at the right time to meet that demand.

Jones continued, “A flexible work model that enables companies to react quickly to demand and that aligns with companies’ business strategies is essential for winning in today’s volatile economy,” Joerres added. “In turn, individuals benefit from flexible work options, as they gain on-the-job training and experience – while earning income.”

The company’s 2012 Talent Shortage Survey found that nearly half of employers are struggling to fill mission-critical positions including jobs in skilled trades, engineering and IT. Worldwide, 56 percent of employers have reported that the inability to fill these positions will have little to no impact on customers, investors, and other key constituents. This is a 20 percent increase over 2011 when 36 percent of companies reported this belief.