Workforce trends

Entry-level roles are most in-demand by employers

Employers are looking to hire entry-level roles the most in Q2 (43%), followed by individual contributors (31%), with low-level management and middle-management roles needed by 26% and 24% of employers, respectively.

Hiring demand driven by backfilling existing roles

Employers report backfilling vacancies caused by attrition to be the primary reason for hiring, driven by defensive hiring behaviour by large enterprises. Small businesses however are more likely to be hiring for organisational growth.

Double digit plans to raise headcount propel hiring

28% of employers plan to hire 10 or more employees in Q2 2024, with 10-49 employees being in highest demand. However, 12% of employers also plan to lower headcounts by more than 10 employees.

Gender equity initiatives are on track for less than half of roles

Whilst just 43% believe their organisation to be on-track or surpassing expectations for increasing the number of women in top management roles, over half indicate diversity and inclusion strategies are now an HR priority and 44% believe full gender equality will be achieved within two years.

Retaining and securing diverse talent

Flexible working policies have been the most effective in retaining and securing diverse talent, with 44% of companies saying flexible working has helped them retain talent and expand their candidate pool to be more diverse. The Health Care & Life Sciences sector has found this most effective of all sectors, at 52%.