Search
Close this search box.

COVID now causing career lockdown

Sharp Information Systems Europe (SISE) is a division of Sharp Electronics Europe, which offers a unique portfolio of award-winning document management and display solutions to help organisations transform the way they engage with information. Sharp’s industry-leading MFPs and large production systems sit at the heart of integrated applications for digital transformation, while our display solutions include innovative video walls, digital signage displays and interactive flat panel displays for collaborative presentations. Our mission is to develop new products that support individual expression; creating life enhancing experiences that let you be original. For more information, please visit www.sharp.eu
man holding book on road during daytime

The new research of over 6,000 office workers in SMBs across Europe, shows the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on workers’ needs, as well as expectations for ways of working in the future. In response to the first series of findings, Sharp will be publishing further research findings in an upcoming Future of Work report due to be released in early 2021.

Despite these career concerns, the majority of those under the age of 30 feel remote working has made them more productive (51%), and the technology that supports it has enabled 63% to do their job more effectively. However, almost two thirds (61%) of workers under 30 said that working remotely makes it harder for them to stay informed on what’s going on in the company, while 55% said that they feel cut off from their team. Just over half said they find it hard to stay motivated, similarly 24% said they have concerns about keeping a team motivated remotely.

Besides the positive impact technology provides, the under 30s appear to be missing out on core skills needed for career progression as a result of working remotely. Future of work organizational psychologist, Viola Kraus explains “There is a growing trend that the youngest generation of workers, as ‘digital natives’ who know how to use tech, can be left to their own devices, to figure it out alone.

This generation not only need to be taught the skills to get the best from technology, but need to be taught general business skills to progress in their job. These young workers’ fears for career development likely stem from a lack of connection and direction from their team and senior colleagues while working remotely, so it’s important to ensure that while we continue to work virtually, employers provide guidance and a formalised platform where peer-to-peer learning is encouraged, and eventually it happens naturally.”

The research showed that those under 30 are looking to their employers to support them with opportunities to learn and develop. When thinking about their experiences during lockdown, 63% of office workers under 30 said that opportunities for upskilling and training had become more important to them. Similarly, when working remotely, 41% believe that employers should still be offering employees the opportunity to learn new skills through online training or companywide workshops.

Rob Davis, Solutions & Services Business Manager at Sharp “There is a clear concern from younger people in our workforce for long-lasting impact of the pandemic on their career development. As businesses plan for the future of work, it’s important to make sure the fundamentals of work that are key to career development aren’t left behind for the ‘digitally savvy’ generation, and ensure technology is used to support this learning and collaboration as the way we work continues to change.

At Sharp, we believe people are the true power behind a successful business, and we see this as an opportunity to implement positive changes and ensure that we are better prepared for future generations to come.”

    Read more

    Latest News

    Read More

    Rise in recruitment fraud must urgently be checked

    28 March 2024

    Newsletter

    Receive the latest HR news and strategic content

    Please note, as per the GDPR Legislation, we need to ensure you are ‘Opted In’ to receive updates from ‘theHRDIRECTOR’. We will NEVER sell, rent, share or give away your data to third parties. We only use it to send information about our products and updates within the HR space To see our Privacy Policy – click here

    Latest HR Jobs

    University of Cambridge – Judge Business SchoolSalary: £32,332 to £38,205 pa, pro rata

    University of Cambridge – Judge Business SchoolSalary: £29,605 to £33,966 pa, pro rata

    University of Oxford – Blavatnik School of GovernmentSalary: Grade 5: £28,759 – £33,966 per annum (with a discretionary range to £37,099)

    Software Development Director (Exec Team Seat). Remote Working with Ellesmere Port Office-Based Minimum 1 Day Per Week. + Contribution towards membership fees. £120,000 – £140,000

    Read the latest digital issue of theHRDIRECTOR for FREE

    Read the latest digital issue of theHRDIRECTOR for FREE