People are turning to robots to support their career development after the pandemic left them feeling lonely and disconnected from their own lives, according to a new study by Oracle and Workplace Intelligence, an HR research and advisory firm.
The study of more than 14,600 employees, managers, HR leaders and C-level executives across 13 countries found that people all around the world have felt stuck in their personal and professional lives but are ready to regain control of their futures.
In the UK, specifically, while people are still looking to technology to support their careers, they are a little more sceptical with 71% of people believing robots can help them better than humans. Similarly, 77% of people want technology to define their future, as opposed to 85% of people globally and only 65% (75% globally) of Brits would make changes to their career based on recommendations by a robot.
“In the last 18 months, technology has helped us stay connected to loved ones, friends and colleagues,” said Richard Petley, Senior Vice President, Oracle UK. “It’s no surprise that people are now turning to it to help enhance their careers, having seen the benefits of it in their personal lives. Like everyone across the world, British people are turning to technology to help them revaluate what they want both personally and professionally, and to help break the malaise of feeling ‘stuck’ – albeit with a dose of British scepticism.”
More than a year in lockdown and the continued uncertainty due to the pandemic has left many workers in emotional turmoil, feeling like their lives and careers are out of control.
- A total of 80% of people globally (80% UK) have been negatively impacted by the last year, with many struggling financially (29% globally; 24% UK); suffering from declining mental health (28% globally; 32% UK); lacking career motivation (25% globally; 21% UK); and feeling disconnected from their own lives (23% globally; 24% UK).
- Globally, 62% found 2021 to be the most stressful year at work ever. More than half (52% globally; 53% UK) of people struggled with mental health at work more in 2021 than in 2020.
- The amount of people who feel little to no control over their personal and professional lives doubled since the start of the pandemic. People noted they have lost control over their futures (43% globally; 43% UK); personal lives (46% globally; 48% UK); careers (41% globally; 43% UK); and relationships (39% globally; 41% UK).
- Just 76% of people globally (73% UK) feel stuck in their personal lives, feeling anxiety about their future (31% globally; 33% UK); trapped in the same routine (27% globally; 30% UK); and more loneliness than ever before (26% globally; 28% UK).
“The past year and a half changed how we work including where we work and, for a lot of people, who we work for,” added Dan Schawbel, Managing Partner, Workplace Intelligence.