HR & Recruitment Report Finds 80% Predict 2024 Will Be the Year of the “Big Stay”

MyPerfectResume surveyed nearly 1,900 U.S.-based workers, unraveling their HR-related workplace forecasts for 2024. From recruitment dynamics to professional development, mental health, D&I, and beyond, our HR & Recruitment Report provides a lens into the shifts that will define the workplace this year.

The 2024 HR & Recruitment Report found that 80% predict that 2024 will be the year of “The Big Stay,” referring to workers’ remaining at their current jobs, in contrast to the Great Resignation.  This is within the context that 45% also predict the number of remote job openings to drop.

Key findings include:

• 61% of workers expect a longer hiring process in 2024 compared to 2023.
• 70% believe re-skilling will be necessary for many professions.
• 74% believe work experience will matter more than education in 2024.
• 90% believe job seekers will use LinkedIn more often than dedicated job search websites.
• 71% of respondents expect more companies to include salary information in their job postings.
• 72% say AI will support HR teams in recruitment processes more in 2024 than in 2023.
• 88% expect CSR initiatives to become more integral to business strategies in 2024.
• 84% believe that organizations will increase their investment in employees’ mental health and well-being programs in 2024.

Recruitment & Job Search

Since the pandemic, remote work has emerged as the undeniable front-runner in reshaping the professional landscape. Employees want remote work here to stay, and what's more, they rebel against returning to offices. So, will 2024 offer more remote job opportunities?

We have bad news for those wanting to shift to full remote work or seek new opportunities.  

45% predict a reduced number of remote job openings in 2024.

The data reflects the trend of pulling employees into offices. More office-based jobs, fewer remote opportunities. 

61% also predict that recruitment processes are set to stretch out in 2024. 

This will happen despite the technological assistance recruiters have. According to 72% of respondents, AI will support HR teams in recruitment processes more in 2024 than in 2023. See our recent study on HR opinions of AI use in hiring for additional insights. 

Some more workers’ predictions for recruitment trends in 2024 cover:

• 90% believe job seekers will use LinkedIn more often than dedicated job search websites.
• 71% of respondents predict that more companies will include salary information in their job postings. 

Workers’ Professional Development

In 2024, HR departments face a crucial responsibility: ensuring employees receive the stimulus for development.

First, employees want mentorship. 72% express a strong desire for companies to embrace mentorship and coaching programs to support the development of workers.

The phenomenon is further reinforced by the idea that employers should encourage or even force employees to pursue further training and development in 2024, according to 69% of respondents. This suggests a shift towards proactive HR strategies integrating ongoing learning as an integral part of the employee experience.

At the same time, 74% believe that work experience will matter more than education in 2024. HR departments, watch out. Your role in aligning hiring practices with this shift is crucial to attract and retain top talent.

Considering changing trends, developing technologies, and new solutions, 70% believe re-skilling will be necessary for many professions in 2024. Employees will do this independently (probably deciding to change jobs after) or with the employer's help, contributing to the company's growth. 

Mental Health

In 2024, a profound shift is underway – placing employees' mental health and well-being at the forefront. 

87% of individuals believe that employers are set to prioritize employee mental health and well-being more than ever before.

That shift is not just bare promises but tangible commitment. 84% believe that organizations will increase their investment in employees’ mental health and well-being programs in 2024. This move symbolizes recognizing the link between a healthy, supported workforce and organizational success.

Burnout was a buzzword in 2023 and stayed the same this year. Work-related stress, overwhelming workloads, no work-life balance, and pressure are steadily taking their toll. Will 2024 change that?

78% predict that organizations will be more proactive in identifying and addressing burnout and work-related stress in 2024. 

Moving away from reactive measures and acknowledging the importance of prevention and support forms a solid foundation for a resilient and thriving workforce.

The traditional boundaries between work and personal life blur, demanding a holistic approach to well-being. These are not merely statistics but rather a call to action. Workers’ well-being is no longer just an HR checkbox but an integral component of organizational culture.

CSR, D&I, Ethics and More

Employees have high expectations of business. In this era, companies are accountable not only for their bottom line but also for their impact on society.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

In 2024, CSR is not just a buzzword but a pivotal aspect of business strategy.

• 88% expect corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to become more integral to business strategies in 2024.
• 80% say their organizations will increase their investment in CSR efforts, such as philanthropy or community engagement, in 2024 than in previous years.

Diversity and Inclusion (D&I)

• 79% believe diversity and inclusion (D&I) efforts will be a higher priority for organizations in 2024 than in previous years.

Is diversity and inclusion set to be a cornerstone in the HR narrative of 2024? As the architect of inclusive workplaces, HR is instrumental in fostering environments that celebrate diversity.

Ethical issues

• 79% believe ethical and sustainable practices will become more central to business operations and decision-making in 2024 than in previous years.
• 81% say their organizations will invest more in environmentally responsible practices, such as reducing waste and energy consumption, in 2024 than in previous years.

HR's role extends beyond policy implementation; it encompasses cultivating a purpose-driven culture. Ethical considerations and sustainable practices are not checkboxes but integral components of a workplace ethos. 

Expert’s Summary

“The workplace is a living organism, evolving in response to the pulse of societal, technological, and cultural shifts. Job seeker behavior, recruitment processes, interference of AI, mental health, or diversity and inclusion are just some of the areas echoing the desire for innovation, agility, balance, and a people-centric ethos,” said Kellie Hanna, Career Expert at MyPerfectResume. “We hope that our findings shed light on the 2024 workplace, guiding employers, workers, and job seekers to find a path blending mutual expectations,” Hanna added.

The findings presented were obtained by surveying 1867 American respondents on Oct 18-19, 2023. They were asked questions related to 2024 trends. These included yes/no questions, open-ended questions, scale-based questions relating to levels of agreement with a statement, and questions that permitted the selection of multiple options from a list of answers.

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