Top trends impacting global employers

At a glance

• Our 2023 review/2024 preview report identifies the top trends currently impacting global employers. 
• We also predict likely employment trends for the coming months.
• You can access country by country reviews of 2023 and previews of 2024 for over 40 jurisdictions across EMEA, Asia Pacific and the Americas.

From evolving employee expectations about the role and purpose of work in their lives, increasing regulation, and the explosion of AI, to continued economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, global employers are entering 2024 with myriad new challenges.

“Will we or won’t we return to the office? On what schedule, and for which purposes?” are common refrains. Opting for a hybrid working model and being transparent about the reasons for in-person work can help to ease the transition and minimise risks, including the risk of potential organising activity.

Regardless of where we work, numerous surveys point to claims of increased worker stress and anxiety. Employers and legislators alike are moving to improve the work-life framework and address employee wellness through policy, including flexible working, more paid time off, right-to-disconnect laws, and more.

ESG initiatives remain front and centre but face some headwinds. Companies are re-examining their sustainability and diversity and inclusion (D&I) initiatives based on stakeholder analyses and new legal obligations, while maintaining their commitment to creating a culture of inclusivity and belonging for all employees.

The post-COVID-19 uptick in employment legislative and regulatory activity shows no signs of slowing. Keeping up with legal developments and horizon scanning are more important than ever (our report and DLA Piper’s GENIE site can help).

AI is starting to transform work, with laws and risk management frameworks playing catch-up. Leaders are prioritising understanding AI uses, putting guardrails in place, and finding new and responsible ways to use AI to enhance the workplace and build a competitive advantage.

The talent picture is likely to remain mixed in the near term. Some companies continue to struggle to find enough workers, while others are scaling back or shifting operations in response to slower global economic growth and geopolitical developments.

For businesses implementing reductions in force, compliance with new local laws related to individual and group terminations are critical. Those entering new jurisdictions are navigating local laws and developments and assessing more dynamic working arrangements, such as the use of contractors and labour outsourcing, as well as professional employer organisations, employers of record and global employment companies.

In our report, we identify the top trends impacting global employers and share our predictions for the coming months. We have also produced country by country reviews of 2023 and previews of 2024 for over 40 jurisdictions across EMEA, Asia Pacific and the Americas. Access the global report and country content on our GENIE site. If you are not yet a GENIE subscriber, you can register here. Please note that GENIE is a resource for clients of DLA Piper.