How to survive in 2024! Well there is finally some good news...

Amid the cooling employment market in the UK, a fifth of HR leaders in the UK have reported a hiring freeze, new research shows.

More than half (51%) say they have either undertaken or are considering layoffs this year, while almost two-thirds (65%) have considered redeployments as an alternative.

A leading integrated talent solutions provider unveiled the findings of its 2024 Outplacement and Career Mobility Trends Report. The report reveals that amid the cooling employment market in the UK, 51% of UK HR leaders had either undertaken or are considering layoffs in 2024.

The strain is also being felt by UK employees with 42% voicing concerns about being laid off, as a fifth (20%) of UK HR leaders reporting the highest incidence of a hiring freezes - followed by Canada (19%), the United States (14%), and Australia (12%).

Gloomy eh? So what is the good news? Well most people think we have turned the corner and these retrospective figures are the worst it can get. Also,

the 2024 report looks to point to an increased focus on upskilling employees and a prioritisation of internal mobility to retain top talent. This comes as two-thirds (65%) of UK HR leaders reported considering redeployments as an alternative to layoffs. In fact, strategic talent management is on the agenda as over a quarter (26%) of UK organisations have a redeployment plan in place.

But you as an employee have a part to play here. By choosing to upskill youself, notably in areas of your job using technology, you will increase your chances of being retained. 

With companies looking to tackle how to use AI who better than you to lead that thinking by "walking the walk". Whether doing a 2 hour course in Copilot and making productivity suggestions or using AI to reduce the mundane areas of processing in your job, take ownership of job security by making yourself indispensable. 

There has never been a better time to access and learn new skills. If you do that effectively, you increase your chances of being part of your company's future planning. PS this is written by a human!