Every fourth woman considering leaving the labour market - this can be prevented

by   CIJ News iDesk III
2022-08-09   04:17
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Such exodus of women from the group of productive employees would weaken the Czech labor market
PRAGUE, AUGUST 8, 2022 - Two years of pandemic have changed the perspective of many women on their career lives. According to a study published by the McKinsey Global Institute, 25 % of working women considered quitting their jobs and leaving the labor market. The demanding reconciliation of personal and work lives during the pandemic often led to extreme exhaustion and in many cases even burnout. The experience of Colliers, a leading provider of diversified professional services for commercial real estate and investment management, shows that their decision to leave their careers can easily be reversed by the employer by adjusting the working environment and conditions or by investing in the employee's reskilling.

An exodus of women would have fatal consequences
The Czech labor market is impacted by a long-term shortage of applicants, across almost all sectors. The current unemployment rate is 3.1 %, which - according to the latest available Eurostat data - represents the lowest value in the entire European Union. At the end of June, employers offered a total of 319,408 job vacancies through the Czech labor office, and there are an average of 0.7 job seekers per job vacancy in the Czech Republic. The demand for workers thus still exceeds the supply, and the departure of such a number of women from the Czech labor market would be fatal. There are currently almost 3,100,000 women of working age. A quarter of them represents 775,000 women.

Requalification as a possible solution
According to Colliers experts, this scenario can be prevented for example by offering reskilling courses and adjusting working conditions. Thanks to digitization and new technologies, a huge number of new jobs are created that allow greater flexibility, remote access, and better reconciliation of personal and work lives. These positions can represent a chance and an opportunity for women who are now considering leaving. “Companies are switching to digital processes at a fast pace and within the framework of ESG rules, among other things, they are pushing for maximum paperless and automated operations that utilise the potential of digital solutions. As a part of this transformation, it is also necessary to evaluate what can be offered to people in positions that will no longer be needed, and how to reskill them within the company,” explains says Jana Vlková, Director of Workplace Advisory at Colliers.

Modification of offices according to the needs of companies
For this purpose, however, companies should adapt their offices for training activities and provide space for effective development of their employees. “The Covid-19 era has shown us that the effect of online distance training is very limited, and the physical transfer of information, experience, and knowledge is more suitable and effective for employees. This is also one of the reasons why companies should keep their offices,” says Jana Vlková and adds that their function and equipment need to be adjusted so there is a possibility of not only standard individual work but also of meetings in smaller and larger teams, which will have quality facilities available for the best possible demonstration of new technologies. “When designing and building new premises, we always try to respond to the current needs of the market, companies, and employees. In addition, new functions, layouts, and room modifications are more attractive for companies and employees, who return to work more easily after the pandemic,” adds Jana Vlková.