• The key challenges impacting human resource planning over the next three years’ is the war for talent (40%), talent management (39%), and the mobile workplace (33%)
  • The key trends impacting the future of the workplace includes the mobile workplace (39%), and multiple generations in the workplace (33%), the war for talent (32%) and employee engagement (32%)
  • Specialist recruitment agencies are considered the most effective recruitment method (51%) to ensure the right skills are in place

Dubai, 12 October 2016 – HR directors have identified the three most challenging elements related to human resource planning over the next three years as the war for talent (40%), talent management (39%) and the mobile workplace (33%), according to recent research from Robert Half UAE. The fluidity in demand from the business for different levels of skills and specialist employees continues to add pressure on HR planning.

Talented professionals are recognising their value on the hiring market and as such are looking for flexibility within their workplace. This is a trend that collates with the mobile workplace being the main trend impacting the future of the workplace in the foreseeable future. Other key trends identified are managing multiple generations in the workplace (33%), the war for talent (32%) and employee engagement (32%).

As skilled, productive professionals continue to be at the core of every successful organisation, it is interesting to note how the changes in the workplace will be addressed in recruitment methodology. One in two HR directors consider using the services of a specialised recruitment consultancy as the most effective recruitment tool for the Other methods identified as effective for attracting skilled talent include, online job boards and CV databases (39%),  social media (28%) and the company website (28%).

75 UAE senior HR directors were asked: “which of the following recruitment tools will be most effective by 2020?”

Recruitment method

Percentage of HR directors

Specialist recruitment agencies

51%

Online job boards and CV databases

39%

Social media (such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter)

28%

Company website

28%

Mobile recruitment

27%

Job fairs

13%

Word of mouth

24%

*Multiple responses permitted.

Gareth El Mettouri, Associate Director, Robert Half UAE, commented: “As firms look to plan their short- and long-term hiring plans, it is evident that the need to attract and retain skilled professionals remains a high priority.  Workplaces are changing to meet the evolving needs of professionals, so it’s important to continue initiatives that offer workers flexibility through mobile working.

“Professionals, particularly millennials, increasingly seek a way of balancing a rewarding career with personal or family commitments and more importantly do not shy away from negotiating these aspects during the job offer. It is positive that HR directors are acknowledging this and are adapting their recruitment methods to ‘keep up’ with the trends of the future workplace.”

                                                                               – ENDS –

Notes to editors

1 The annual study was developed by Robert Half UAE and is conducted by an independent research firm.  The study is based on more than 75 interviews with senior HR directors from companies across the UAE, with the results segmented by size, sector and geographic location.

About Robert Half

Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialised recruitment consultancy and a member of the S&P 500. Named to FORTUNE® magazine's "World's Most Admired Companies" and was the highest-ranked staffing firm (2016). Founded in 1948, the company has over 325 offices worldwide, including the UAE, providing recruitment solutions for accounting and finance, financial services, technology, legal, human resources and administration professionals. Robert Half offers workplace and job seeker resources at roberthalf.ae