Navigating HR Numbers: A Compilation of 50+ Study Statistics

Welcome to flair’s first stats blog, your go-to source for insightful HR statistics that shed light on the latest global trends, challenges, and advancements in the dynamic field of human resources.

The flair solution, built on Salesforce, is a data-driven enterprise. With the combination of the innovative flair HR and Recruiting apps, as well as the dedicated staff portal called the Employee Hub, companies gain valuable insights into their HR processes like never before.

Here at flair, numbers are our jam. They serve as excellent indicators for patterns and decision-making. That's why we're giving them the spotlight right now.

In this blog, we’ll provide easy access to the fascinating world of HR research, presenting you with a list of human resources statistics derived from cutting-edge studies and reputable sources.

Whether you're an HR professional, a business leader, or simply curious about the evolving landscape of workplace practices, this compilation of statistics will provide you with valuable insights and thought-provoking data.

We’ve got recruitment statistics, information on onboarding programs, work-life balance data, employee satisfaction stats, retention rate details, and much more. A special thanks to the researchers and survey respondents without whom these numbers and HR trends and statistics would not exist on paper (erm, or rather digitally). Right, let’s dive right in.

Absences

Employee absences can create significant challenges for businesses, as they have implications beyond costs and productivity. Absenteeism can disrupt team dynamics, affecting morale and cohesion among colleagues. It can also lead to increased workloads for remaining employees, potentially causing decreased job satisfaction. Below are some eye-opening statistics related to employee absences:

• Absenteeism cost employers in the US $225.8 billion in productivity annually –Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015
• The pandemic reduced the US workforce availability by 2.6% – McKinsey & Company, 2023
• Poor mental health among employees costs UK employers £42bn – £45bn each year. Of that, £7bn is because of mental health absences – Public Health England, 2020
• In the UK, the annual economic cost of sickness absence, lost productivity, informal caregiving, and health-related losses exceeds £100bn – Public Health England, 2020

Automation

Automation and artificial intelligence has emerged as a prominent HR topic, reshaping traditional roles and prompting discussions on upskilling and workforce transformation. Let’s take a look at some of the latest survey stats and numbers:

• 39% of HR leaders ranked automating HR service delivery in their top 5 areas of focus – KPMG Future of HR: Flux to Flow, 2022
• The top 25% of email users spend 8.8 hours a week on email – Microsoft Work Trend Index, 2023
• 86% of people want artificial intelligence to assist with finding the right information and answers they need – Microsoft Work Trend Index, 2023
• 87% of workers in creative roles who are familiar with AI said they are comfortable using AI for creative aspects of their job – Microsoft Work Trend Index, 2023
• 76% of people would use AI for administrative tasks – Microsoft Work Trend Index, 2023
• Successful automation adoptees are 3X more likely to have adopted low-code programs – Ui Path Automation Trends 2023
• 73% of people think technology can never replace the human mind – PwC Workforce of the Future, 2017

Burnout & Wellbeing

Tackling burnout and prioritizing employee wellbeing in HR is crucial for fostering a healthy and productive work environment. Statistics surrounding burnout and wellbeing, empower HR professionals with valuable information to tackle these pressing issues effectively. Here are some of the top stats we have uncovered:

• 38% of employees are experiencing symptoms of burnout – Qualtrics Employee Experience Report 2023
• More than 90% of CEOs and employees agree they perform better at work when their mental health is strong – ****Headspace Fifth Annual Workforce Attitudes Toward Mental Health, 2023
• 64% of people say they struggle with having the time and energy to do their job – Microsoft Work Trend Index, 2023
• 49% of 18-to-29-year-olds report feeling burned out compared with just 38% of workers age 30 and older – Slack Future Forum Pulse Report Fall 2022
• 94% of HR professionals feel a growing responsibility to improve company culture by supporting employee mental health – Headspace Fifth Annual Workforce Attitudes Toward Mental Health, 2023
• Gender gap: female workers are showing 32% more burnout than their male counterparts – Slack Future Forum Pulse Report Fall 2022

Culture

Culture is so important. It filters throughout an entire organization and influences employee engagement, productivity, and retention. A strong organizational culture fosters a sense of belonging, shared values, and a positive work environment. Here’s a list of some of the latest culture metrics around:

• 83% of organizations want to build a more people-centric culture – 2023 Workplace Learning Report LinkedIn
• 68% of people say they don’t have enough uninterrupted focus time during the workday – Microsoft Work Trend Index, 2023
• 58% of organizations that employ frontline workers have invested in improving their employee experience in the past year – Harvard Business Review, 2023
• 80% of Deloitte survey respondents believe it is important for external workers to participate in the organization’s culture – Deloitte, 2022
• 67% of workers aged 18-34 indicate they would consider turning down a job offer or leaving a company if there was a gender imbalance in leadership – Indeed Glassdoor 2023 Hiring Workplace Trends
• 72% of millennials would consider declining a job offer or leaving their position if they did not think that their manager supported DEI initiatives – Indeed Glassdoor 2023 Hiring Workplace Trends
• 23% of workers say “doing a job that makes a difference” is most important to their career – PwC Workforce of the Future, 2017
• 93% of the more than 4,000 managers surveyed consider some external workers to be part of their workforce – MIT Sloan Management Review, 2022

Employee Engagement

Engaged employees are more likely to perform at their best, stay loyal to the company, and contribute their creativity and ideas, resulting in a positive work environment and overall success.

• 59% of the world’s working population are quite quitting or not engaged – Gallup State of the Global Workplace: 2023 Report
• 41% of Gallup survey respondents believe engagement or culture change would improve their workplace – Gallup State of the Global Workplace: 2023 Report
• Just 26% of people say their organization encouraged them to learn a new skill – 2023 Workplace Learning Report LinkedIn
• 71% of Qualtrics survey respondents in 2023 believed in their organization's values – Qualtrics Employee Experience Trends

Employee Retention

Employee retention is a significant concern for hiring managers and organizations due to its multifaceted impact. High turnover rates result in increased costs associated with recruitment, training, and onboarding. Additionally, organizations face a knowledge drain as experienced employees leave. Check out these statistics to get a clearer insight into the importance of staff retention:

• Voluntary employee turnover costs US businesses $1 trillion per year – Gallup, 2019
• 93% of organizations are worried about employee retention – 2023 Workplace Learning Report LinkedIn
• 32% of employers cite higher pay as a reason they believe employees quit their job – Forbes Advisor 2023
• 35% of 18-34 years prize opportunities for career growth within the company when considering a new job – 2023 Workplace Learning Report LinkedIn
• An employee that has made an internal move within a company has a 75% chance of staying – 2023 Workplace Learning Report LinkedIn
• 41% of organizations use diversity, equality, and inclusion programs to improve employee retention – 2023 Workplace Learning Report LinkedIn

HR and Tech Solutions

The utilization of HR solutions is experiencing significant growth, but our findings indicate that they are far from being universally present. Below are some interesting insights about the state of play regarding the human resource industry and HR software:

• 60% of HR leaders expect to change their HR operating model within three years – KPMG Future of HR: Flux to Flow, 2022
• 32% of companies use a SaaS cloud-based HR solution – ISG 2023 HR Technology Survey
• 53% of business leaders are investing in analytics platforms for their HR function – KPMG Future of HR: Flux to Flow, 2022
• An overwhelming 82% of global leaders unanimously acknowledge that the HR function holds unprecedented significance in the current landscape – 2023 Workplace Learning Report LinkedIn
• 50% of HR managers say organizational agility will be on their agenda for the future – KPMG Future of HR: Flux to Flow, 2022
• Improving a company’s ability to attract, develop and retain talent is the top priority (32%) – ISG 2023 HR Tech Survey
• 88% of respondents agree that HR has played a leading role in their organization’s response to the impacts of COVID-19 – KPMG: The Future of HR in the New Reality, 2020

Recruitment

The hiring process benefits a company by bringing in new talent and fresh perspectives, which can lead to increased innovation and productivity. It allows the company to find individuals with the necessary skills and qualifications to meet their specific needs, enhancing overall team performance. Here are some key numbers and percentages regarding recruitment:

• Recruiting a new employee costs on average $4,700 per hire in the US – Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM)
• If an employer actively manages its employer brand, approximately 75% of active job seekers are inclined to apply – Glassdoor for Employers, 2021
• Compensation (50%) and Meaningful Work (42%) are the driving factors for career choices – Monster The Future of Work 2022 Global Report
• 61% of Gen Z thinks virtual recruiting is better than in-person – Monster The Future of Work 2022 Global Report
• Nearly 30% of employees have left a job within the first 90 days due to misalignment of values and expectations – Glassdoor for Employers, 2021
• 83% of talent say a negative recruitment experience can change their mind about a company they previously liked – LinkedIn Global Talent Trends, 2015
• A mobile-friendly job application increases applicants by more than 11% – Forbes, 2023

Remote Work

We've witnessed a shift in work style, as remote work empowers individuals and organizations alike to embrace flexibility and harmonize the delicate balance between work and personal life. Remote work’s impact is undeniable and here is some data fuelling ongoing conversations:

• 29 percent of employees would consider switching employers if their company went back to a fully on-site model – McKinsey & Company, 2021
• 3 in 4 CEOs (73%) confirm that the ability for people to work remotely has widened their potential talent pool and led to positive results – KPMG The Future of HR: Lessons from the Pathfinders, 2021
• 43% of employers think hybrid is the way of the future – Monster The Future of Work 2022 Global Report
• 34% of employees and 40% of employers named flexible hours a top benefit for remote workers – Forbes Advisor 2023

Onboarding

Whether running a small business or a large enterprise, effective onboarding is crucial as it sets the foundation for employee engagement, productivity, and long-term organizational success. It’s a major challenge for HR teams, especially in the remote work era. Here’s an overview of the latest statistical trends and findings regarding employee onboarding processes:

• 88% of organizations believe it is critical that “employees believe in what the organization stands for” as part of the onboarding process – Brandon Hall Group, 2022
• Just 12% of employees strongly agree that their organization does a great job of onboarding – Gallup, 2018
• Only 29% of new hires felt they were prepared and supported to excel in their new role – SHRM
• Full-time and comprehensive onboarding makes employees 33% more engaged at work – Forbes

The Importance of HR Data

At the heart of this compilation lies a dedication to empowering HR professionals. By staying up-to-date with the latest statistics and industry trends, we can all better understand the dynamics shaping the workforce and develop strategies to respond to certain trends or problems.

It’s why the flair solution has the importance of data built in its DNA. For example, with flair HR, companies can effortlessly track and analyze employee absences. By having access to this data, organizations can make informed decisions regarding leave management and employee well-being.

flair HR's Recruiting app also revolutionizes the hiring process by providing comprehensive analytics on applicant data. Companies can extract valuable insights about candidate profiles, application sources, and hiring trends.

Remember, HR is a dynamic field that constantly evolves, driven by advancements in technology, changing workforce demographics, and shifting workplace dynamics. By harnessing the power of data, you can stay ahead of the curve and drive positive change within your organization.

We hope you found this HR statistics blog useful, providing you with the knowledge and inspiration needed to understand key elements of the ever-changing HR landscape. As you move forward, we encourage you to continue exploring, learning, and adapting, for the key to success lies in embracing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

To keep up to date on all things flair, check out our blog or follow the flair LinkedIn page.