The reported volume and pace of change is no great surprise. According to this year’s Asia Pacific CEO survey, 97% of CEOs are actively taking steps to reinvent their businesses to ensure their viability. However, the employees' reactions to these changes are mixed and revealing. It seems that the majority of employees (75%) are eager to adapt and embrace change, while a significant portion (59%) believe there is too much change happening at once, and half of the workforce doesn’t understand why anything needs to change at all.
The fact that change seems to be accelerating may add to the concern felt by many. More than two-thirds of employees (68%) say they have experienced more changes at work in the past year than in the 12 months prior.
Asia Pacific workers have mixed feeling about the pace and scale of changes in the last 12 months
Question: Question: Thinking about changes you have experienced in your role in the last 12 months, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements (Showing 'agree' only)
Base: Asia Pacific respondents who have experienced change in their role (19,500)
When it comes to the type of change employees are experiencing at work, the top three are: use of new tools and technologies (48%), increased workload (46%) and changes in team structure and daily responsibilities (both 43%).
About 48% of Asia Pacific workers have had to learn new technology / tools and their workload has increased in the last year
Question: To what extent do the following statements describe changes you have experienced in your role, if any, in the last 12 months? (Showing only ‘to a large extent’ and ‘to a very large extent’ responses)
Base: All Asia Pacific respondents (19,500)
Workers are more satisfied with their job compared to last year. A healthy 62% say they are satisfied, a 5% jump from last year and on par with global counterparts. But job satisfaction doesn’t necessarily mean employees will remain with their employer. It appears much of the workforce is eyeing other opportunities, with nearly a third (31%) saying they are likely to change employers in the next year. This is more than during ‘The Great Resignation’ in recent years (19%). This signals a shift in attitudes where professionals are discarding the “stay put” mentality and prioritising career growth.
More Asia Pacific employees state they are likely to change employer in the next 12 months than during the “Great Resignation”
Question: How likely are you to change employers in the next 12 months? (Showing only ‘very likely’ and ‘extremely likely’)
Base: All Asia Pacific respondents (19,500)
For most employees, the decision to stay or leave a job hinges on their ability to develop their skills. 78% agree that learning opportunities influence their decision to switch jobs.
While skills are seen as a currency to employees, they reported that they lack skills development opportunities. Only 57% feel they can fully showcase their skills and just 52% believe their employer supports future skill development through learning opportunities.
About half of Asia Pacific employers reported that they lack opportunities to demonstrate or learn new skills
Question: Regarding your current role, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
Base: All Asia Pacific respondents (19,500)
Note: Percentages shown may not total 100 due to rounding
The picture for employees over the last 12 months has changed. Leaders must take note. With rising employee leverage, the ongoing competition for skilled workers is likely to intensify. Strategies to retain and attract new talent will need to evolve. As it is famously said, ‘Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.’ How will employers respond?
Other key findings
The outlook for job security is optimistic. 61% are extremely or very confident about the next 12 months, with one in four feeling extremely confident.
Non-financial rewards are as crucial as pay. Employees rank financial reward (77%), fulfilment (69%), and flexibility (64%) their top job priorities.
GenAI adoption in the workplace is limited - 70% have used it in the past year, but only 1 in 6 use it daily.
Optimism in GenAI is growing, with over 80% of users believing it will enhance their skills, improve work quality, and boost creativity.
Employees have higher expectations for their employers' climate actions, with a significant 11% increase in agreement (compared to last year’s survey) that employers should reduce their environmental impact.
Explore how employers can respond to this dynamic environment
Global Workforce Hopes & Fears Survey 2024
Workers are ready for change. Are leaders ready to engage them?
Asia Pacific Leaders
Asia Pacific Workforce Leaders
Norah Seddon
Jane Cheung
Anumeha Singh
Brian Arnold
Shigeru Kitazaki
Akiyoshi Tan
Kartina Abdul Latif
Debra Ovinis
Ma. Fedna Parallag
Partner, Workforce Transformation, PwC South East Asia Consulting, PwC Singapore
+65 9660 5011
Ju-Hee Park
Tim Kuei
Dr. Pirata Phakdeesattayaphong
Phan Thi Thuy Duong
