Leading Trends for Developing a Mobile Workplace

Recent survey findings reveal best strategies to recruit, engage and retain an "always-on", highly connected workforce

A new report by talent strategists Randstad Sourceright reveals how employers are facing the challenges of recruiting today’s candidates, who are connected like never before and have more control over how, when and where they work.

The Randstad Sourceright 2015 Talent Trends Report shares tips on how to successfully and effectively recruit the workforce that organizations need to meet their growth objectives.

So what are the trends impacting recruiting success? The report identified a number of major trends to combating a talent shortage and skills gap, including:

1. Talent Engagement Goes Mobile

As more job seekers expect a mobile-optimized candidate experience, employers must be able to deliver a candidate friendly engagement, transparency across their open positions, and make it easy to learn about the company and apply to jobs on mobile devices. This means redefining application beyond the standard resume, whether via a LinkedIn profile or by submitting video resumes. Overall, employers must adapt their technology and ensure enough bandwidth to address the habits of today’s mobile candidates.

2. Leveraging Remote Work Arrangements

This highly connected workforce has made it easier than ever for companies to employ top talent from anywhere in the world, ensuring access to the right-fit talent irrespective of where the talent is based. Randstad Sourceright’s survey found that more than three-quarters (77 percent) of respondents agree they need to create more flexible working options, such as variable hours, job-sharing or work from home arrangements. Not only does remote work enable employers to fill key gaps, but it also provides remote workers with greater work/life balance, resulting in higher employee satisfaction.

3. The Rise of the Gig Worker

Employees are demanding more control over where they work, but they also want more say in when and how much they work – leading many to become independent contractors. But it’s not just the workers who benefit; such arrangements also help employers build a more agile pool of talent they can call on to assist with pressing projects, and scale back in quieter times. The use of such talent is growing: Randstad Sourceright found that nearly half (47 percent) of HR leaders factor independent contracts as part of their talent acquisition strategy.

4. The Changing Shape of MSP

Total spend under MSPs (managed services programs) continues to grow, and the rise of the independent worker is a leading driver. With more workers now classified as "flexible," whether contingent, contractor or through statement of work, MSP providers are being asked to deliver greater value in addition to cost savings, by playing a greater role in the selection and management of this contingent talent.

5. Impact of Mobile Devices

Although technology has enabled the growing contingent workforce, is there a downside to constant connectivity? Overall, 79 percent of the survey’s participants reported that keeping pace with rapidly evolving technology will be a challenge for them. While the impact of constant connectivity on productivity remains to be seen, employers may start encouraging employees to take a device detox (as some companies already do), by not checking email at night and on weekends, or while on vacation.

"Technological advancements have created a new breed of worker that has more say than ever in where, when and how often they work," says Robert Lopes, president, Recruitment Process Outsourcing, for Randstad Sourceright. "While this may present challenges for employers, it also opens new doors – as long as they can match the technology prowess of their employees and deliver the modern experiences they expect."

Get the full "The Randstad Sourceright 2015 Talent Trends Report" here.

About Randstad Sourceright: Randstad Sourceright is a global talent leader, providing solutions and expertise that help companies position for growth, execute on strategy and improve business agility. Key offerings include, Recruitment Process Outsourcing, Managed Services Provider programs, Blended Workforce Solutions, Payroll and Independent Contractor Services and Career Transition Services. As an operating company of Randstad, a $22.9 billion global provider of HR services, Randstad Sourceright delivers the resources and capability companies need to optimize their talent strategy.

Note: this article was first posted on SSON