Workplace Trends Information

Courtesy of SHRM

1.        Do Baby Boomers want to work into retirement?

• 71% said yes, with many looking for part-time jobs or an opportunity to move in and out of the workforce – perhaps during a period as long as 10 years.

• The study, conducted by Harris Interactive, involved online interviews with more than 5,000 adults aged 25 years to 70 years.  (05/03)

2.       Why do Baby Boomers want to work into retirement?

• To remain mentally and physically active

•  I want to try new professions

• Earning money

3.       Top Five Demographic Trends  (listed from 5^th to 1^st):

• Growth in number of employees who have both eldercare and childcare responsibilities at the same time (‘sandwich generation’).

• Retirement of large numbers of baby boomers (born 1945-1954) at around the same time.

• Demographic shifts leading to a shortage of skilled workers.

• Aging of the workforce.

• Aging population driving and increase in healthcare costs.

Source:  SHRM Workplace Forecast

4.       Do you think you will retire at the “traditional” retirement age (age 65)?

• 25% of survey respondents say they think they will have a traditional retirement.

• 41% say they will continue working, but will work less hours.

• 18% predict retiring from their current profession to try a new career.

• 12% predict they will retire early.

Source:  ADECCO Career Outlook Survey (2007)

5.       Steps in preparation for possibility of Worker Shortage due to Baby Boomer retirement:

• Providing continuous skills training for incumbent workers (to update workers’ skills and keep workers ahead of the curve).

• Researching and potentially modifying pay scales to ensure competitiveness.

• Providing baby boomers information regarding retirement planning considerations.

• Offering flexible benefits packages for employees.

• Increasing recruiting efforts overall.

6.       What makes a job into a “Dream Job”?

• Having fun at work (39%)

• Making a difference in society (17%)

• High salary (12%)

Source:  Career Builder.com survey of 6,169 full-time employees (November/December 2006)

7.       Ten most annoying workplace habits  (listed from 10^th to 1^st):

• Eating food that others bring in but never bringing in anything to reciprocate.

• Shouting over cubicles to have a conversation.

• Turning your radio on loud enough for everyone to hear it.

• Getting water all over the sink in the bathrooms so that when the next person leans against it, they get a line of water on their clothes.

• Leaving the sound on a computer so that everyone hears the “ding” of an instant message or incoming email.

• Co-workers bringing potent-smelling food for lunch.

• Leaving the kitchen a mess.

• Using a speaker phone with the door open or while in a public area.

• Using an annoying cell phone ringtone.

• Office loud talkers.

Source:   Randstad and Harris Interactive – 2,318 people surveyed – March 2006