Inflation, artificial intelligence and a five-generation workforce are reshaping employee expectations this year, June 3 research from ADP revealed.
Input from 35,000 employees globally indicates these shifts will drive "seismic change,” the organization said in a statement. It recommended employers take the findings to heart and view changes not only as challenges but also as opportunities: “Companies that communicate clearly, calibrate worker expectations, nurture trust, and invest in skill development can stay ahead of what’s to come.”
Below are several highlights from ADP’s report.
By the numbers
7%
The average salary increase workers in U.S. expected last year. In reality, the average increase was 4%. To manage employee expectations, ADP suggested employers adopt transparent communication about pay.
74%
The share of workers in North America who expect a pay increase in the next 12 months. Expectations around percentage increases, however, are lower this year and more in line with 2023’s actual raises.
18-24
The age group least likely to make day-to-day enjoyment of their jobs a top priority in North America. Instead, this cohort has said they want flexibility of hours and a good salary.
30%
The percentage of individual contributors globally who say their employer lacks a DEI initiative. That number falls for higher-level roles, indicating a likely disconnect between employer initiatives and employee awareness.
60%
The share of workers who believe they have the skills needed to advance their career to the next job level in the next three years. That confidence directly informs how workers say they feel about the rise of artificial intelligence.
100-249
The employee population of employers that ranked highest for investing in employee learning. Workers at both larger and smaller companies were less likely to report that their employer invests in the skills needed for career advancement.
15%
The share of workers who report experiencing stress every day. While this percentage dropped from previous years, North American workers report a higher incidence of stress than other parts of the world, driven by those in the U.S.
