30 Important HR Statistics & Trends in 2024

HR statistics and trends are important to HR practitioners to be aware of so they can make informed decisions and create effective strategies for their HR initiatives. We have scoured the web and compiled the key human resources statistics and trends to look out for in 2024.

Recruiting & Hiring

1. About 60% of millennials tend to explore various career opportunities

While millennials make up the largest demographic in the workforce, 6 out of 10 millennials will jump at a new opportunity presented to them. The primary reason, according to Gallup, is that more than half of them have low workplace engagement.

This can work for or against an organization. If you want to retain or attract high-performing millennial workers, try providing competitive benefits and opportunities for room and development.

(Gallup—Millennials: The Job-hopping Generation)

2. About 64% of job candidates favor companies that are more transparent

If you want more applicants to respond to your job posting, you might consider adding information that shows how much they can benefit from working in your company. According to Gartner, around 64% of job candidates will apply to a job if that job posting contains the salary range and benefits.

Pay transparency is a growing trend in recruitment. In fact, lawmakers nationwide are looking to standardize this inclusion for job posts, such as in New York, which enforced its new pay transparency law last year.

(Gartner—HR Survey 2023)

3. Around 90% of job candidates backed out of a job offer after receiving it

A high-paying job is not enough for job seekers to make them stay or accept the job offer. If your employee value proposition (EVP) does not align with what they are looking for (could be salary, benefits, diversity, career path, or flexibility), they will not accept the job offer. Thus, HR and hiring managers should delve deeper into what candidates are looking for.

(Gartner—HR Survey 2023)

Employee Onboarding

4. About 65% of new hires are frustrated with not having a point of contact for company-related questions

Despite the importance of onboarding, the lack of guidance and support during the onboarding process is still a widespread problem. This hinders the smooth integration of employees into their roles and the organization as new hires struggle to find answers. To address this, companies should implement a mentorship or buddy system to provide new hires with accessible support and guidance.

(BambooHR—The Definitive Guide to Onboarding in 2024)

5. Around 81% of workers are overwhelmed with information throughout the onboarding process

According to Glean, new hires are overwhelmed by the heap of tools and apps they need to familiarize themselves with during their first few weeks. That’s because there’s a lack of resources where they can get information from and no one to tap for answers.

Companies can prevent this by creating a comprehensive knowledge base with easily accessible information and FAQs. Additionally, establishing a dedicated onboarding team or point-of-contact can ensure new hires have a go-to person for questions.

(Glean)

6. It takes around 44 days to convince a new hire to stay for the long term

The same report said that 70% of new hires test the water in the first month and decide whether the job is a good fit for them. If they had an unpleasant onboarding experience, chances are they would quit the minute they have a chance to do it.

(BambooHR—First Impressions Are Everything)

Employee Training & Development

7. Providing learning opportunities is still the top retention strategy

According to LinkedIn’s Workplace Learning Report, 90% of organizations are concerned about employee retention. The same report, however, also showed that 7 out of 10 people say learning makes them feel more connected to their organization, while 8 out of 10 say it gives them a sense of purpose.

(LinkedIn—2024 Workplace Learning Report)

8. About 59% of workers have no workplace training

Despite the importance of training in employee retention—with the report indicating that 84% want to enhance their skills—more than half of employees say they received no training in their workplace. This shows that a lot of organizations are not providing their employees with the skills they need.

(GSDC)

9. Organizations that build their human capital are more resilient and profitable

Organizations that take time to invest in employee development, training, and growth tend to be more profitable, potentially because of increased employee productivity and engagement. Such organizations, according to McKinsey, average more than $1 billion in economic profit and have attrition rates 5% lower than companies that only focus on performance.

(McKinsey)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

10. About 53% of applicants find DEI programs as a determining factor in signing on to a company

A company’s DEI program is the determining factor for 53% of workers when they are considering a job. If your organization hasn’t got one yet, you might consider developing one, especially if you’re trying to attract new talent to join your company.

(Eagle Hill Consulting)

11. About 61% of workers say they have policies to ensure fair treatment in hiring, pay, or promotions

Aside from this, 52% say they received DEI training in their workplace. These statistics show that organizations are putting some effort into diversifying their workplaces.

Despite the statistics above, many DEI professionals are extremely tired and frustrated because there’s no progress in their DEI efforts. That’s because while there are policies in place, there’s a lack of support from the leadership (i.e., CEOs and top executives). The same report from HRD also added that DEI efforts in the workplace have insufficient funding and lack data.

(Pew—Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace)

12. Millennials represent the largest demographic in the workforce at around 49.5 million workers

This will have a significant effect on organizations as millennials bring their own set of unique skills into the workplace. If you want to engage millennials and keep them motivated in the workplace, organizations should create a collaborative work environment where employees feel valued and appreciated.

Here is how the workplace is divided by generation:

• Boomers (Approx. 17.3 million)
• Generation X (Approx. 42.8 million)
• Millennials (Approx. 49.5 million)
• Generation Z (Approx.17.1 million)

(Glassdoor)

13. Labor participation of mothers with children under 5 years old is at 70%

While women with children have been a significant part of the workplace, there has been an unprecedented spike in the number of mothers with young children who are now working. The number has exceeded its prepandemic peak and is growing rapidly.

For businesses, this suggests an expanding pool of experienced workers and potentially increased demand for childcare support and family-friendly policies, such as the following:

• Flexible work hours
• Remote or hybrid options
• On-site childcare facilities
• Childcare subsidies or vouchers
• Extended parental leave
• Lactation rooms for nursing mothers

(Brookings, White House)

Employee Engagement & Recognition

14. Around 80% of engaged employees don’t mind sharing their work data with their companies

Aside from this, Qualtrics’ 2024 EX trends report also showed that 72% of engaged employees are willing to share their direct messages to their companies if that information will be used to enhance the overall employee experience. Additionally, 53% of engaged employees say it’s okay if their organizations monitor their anonymous social media accounts posts.

The survey seems to suggest that employees appear willing to trade some privacy for potential improvements in their work life, indicating the high value they place on a positive work environment.

(Qualtrics)

Employee Satisfaction

15. Employee engagement decreased by 3% in the first quarter of 2024

The report said that at the end of 2023, 33% of employees were highly engaged. However, it decreased by 3% by the first quarter of 2024. The drop in engagement is more pronounced in younger employees under 35 years old and those with inflexible work schedules.

The lower engagement rate reflects that there might be issues with job satisfaction, communication, or workplace culture. Thus, employers need to address these areas if they want to retain talent and maintain high performance levels.

(Gallup—US Engagement Hits 11-Year Low)

16. Around 80% of employees are highly satisfied with frequent manager feedback

This report suggests a strong correlation between regular feedback and employee satisfaction. Thus, instituting a feedback culture is crucial for maintaining high levels of employee contentment and engagement. Read our guide on how to give feedback in the workplace to ensure that your employees gain the feedback they need to improve their work.

(Pew—How Americans View Their Jobs)

17. Construction is the happiest industry

Despite the downward trend in employee engagement and satisfaction, the happiest workers are from the construction industry (49%). Meanwhile, the least satisfied are in the healthcare industry (31%).

Below are the top eight industries and their eNPS scores based on BambooHR’s data:

(BambooHR—The Great Gloom)

Performance Management

18. More than half of employees believe their performance evaluations are subjective

According to a recent Gallup survey, workers report that their performance reviews come mostly from subjective inputs—manager’s observation (67%) and performance ratings (54%). Gallup further says that for a performance appraisal to be objective, it should include objective inputs, such as KPIs, OKRs, and customer metrics.

(Gallup 2024 Survey)

Employee Burnout & Wellness

19. Around 62% of workers say paid time off (PTO) is extremely important to them

Around six out of 10 workers say that they would love to have a job that offers paid time off for vacations, routine doctor’s appointments, or to deal with minor illnesses. This shows how much employees value companies that provide work-life balance.

(Pew—How Americans View Their Jobs)

20. About 57% of Americans report experiencing moderate levels of burnout

Women are more likely to experience burnout than men. Additionally, Gen Zs and millennials are more prone to burnout than baby boomers. The study also mentions that heavy workload is often the source of burnout in the workplace.

(Aflac WorkForces Report)

21. Only 48% of workers firmly believe that their employers care for their mental wellness

Since Aflac started this survey in 2021, the number of workers who think their employers care for their well-being has significantly decreased (from 60% to 48%). Moreover, 60% are more likely to leave their jobs within a year.

The implementation of mental health programs in the workplace is essential to reverse this trend and foster employee well-being. Organizations can further address this issue by promoting work-life balance, offering comprehensive mental health benefits, and creating a supportive organizational culture that prioritizes employee wellness. You can start by following our guide on how to prevent employee burnout.

(Aflac WorkForces Report)

Employee Retention

22. Gen Z and millennials (53%) are the most likely to leave their jobs

Compared with boomers, Gen Zs and millennials are not afraid of job hopping. The same goes for those who work in tech industries, where 60% say that they are most likely to leave their jobs in the coming year. However, a recent Deloitte survey showed that Gen Zs and millennials are more likely to stay in a company if they have positive experiences, such as having a good work-life balance, purpose-driven work, and opportunities to learn or grow.

(EY 2023 Work Reimagined Survey)

23. The average number of years an employee stays in a company is 4.1 years

Retaining top talent is crucial for the success of an organization. With employee tenure only at four years, companies need to rethink their strategies to retain top talent and reduce turnover.

(US Bureau of Labor and Statistics [BLS]—Employee Tenure Summary)

24. Around 61% of companies have difficulty retaining employees; 73% are having a ha ard time attracting employees

To address this challenge, a study revealed that a strong onboarding process improves talent retention. A well-structured onboarding process allows new hires to effectively integrate into the company’s culture, make them feel connected, and get the necessary training and resources.

(Integrated Benefits Institute Study)

Employee Technology

25. Out of 5 employees, 4 want to learn more about AI

The number shows that employees understand the need to adapt their skills as technology advances. The good news is that 9 out of 10 company leaders are planning to increase their investments in learning and development. Check out our comprehensive guide on how to implement AI in your business to get yourself on the trend.

(LinkedIn—2024 Workplace Learning Report)

Future of Employment

26. The national unemployment rate rose to 4.2% from August 2023

On a national level, unemployment rose by 0.2% from June 2024 to July 2024 and by 0.8% from July 2023 (data taken July 2024). On a state level, however, unemployment rates were higher in July in 13 states while stable in 36 states. The states where jobless rates are high include the following:

• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Nevada
• North Dakota
• South Carolina
• Nevada

(BLS—State Employment and Unemployment Summary)

27. About 70% of workers are bracing for layoffs

As unemployment continues to rise, job insecurity is also increasing, and more employees are bracing themselves for the worst. Additionally, 40% of workers say they are saving money, while 32% are actively looking at job listings just in case they get laid off from their jobs. The same survey also revealed that 57% of Gen Z workers are more anxious about their job security than baby boomers, with only 16% expressing anxiety.

(Market Watch)

Remote & Hybrid Working Trends

28. Greater flexibility is one of the top reasons (59%) jobseekers accept an offer

Jobseekers are averse to doing the nine-to-five grind. Instead, they prefer a hybrid work setup, where some days they commute to work and some days they work from home. Flexibility is so important that even 59% of active employees are looking for a job that offers greater flexibility.

(Gartner—HR Survey 2023)

29. Around 47% of US workers are not happy with the full-time return-to-office policy

Employees said that they would resign if their company required them to go back to the office and work full-time. Instead of pushing employees to comply, help them reintegrate back to the workplace by adopting a hybrid work setup.

Aside from that, you can also offer perks and benefits that will make going back to work more attractive. For example, you can offer on-site cafeterias with free coffee or quiet zones where they can take a short break and just relax.

(Integrated Benefits Institute Study)

30. 81% of full-time workers prefer a 4-day workweek

While 68% of full-time employees prefer a hybrid work arrangement, 81% favor the four-day workweek. This significant preference for a compressed work schedule further emphasizes the growing desire of employees for a better work-life balance and a more efficient use of their time.

(Bankrate)

Bottom Line

Organizations should be aware of the current trends in HR to make informed decisions, improve their current practices, and create better people strategies. Consequently, this results in increased productivity, high employee engagement, and boosted innovation. It also enables companies to anticipate and adapt to changes in workforce expectations and regulations.

References: Gartner (Where HR Will Focus on 2024, HR Survey 2023), Gallup (Millennials: The Job-hopping Generation, US Engagement Hits 11-Year Low, 2024 Survey), EY 2023 Work Reimagined Survey, US Bureau of Labor and Statistics (Employee Tenure Summary, State Employment and Unemployment Summary), Integrated Benefits Institute Study, LinkedIn (2024 Workplace Learning Report), GSDC, Eagle Hill Consulting, Pew (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace, How Americans View Their Jobs), Aflac WorkForces Report, Glassdoor, Brookings, White House, StartUs Insights, Qualtrics, BambooHR (The Great Gloom, The Definitive Guide to Onboarding in 2024, First Impressions Are Everything), McKinsey, Market Watch, Integrated Benefits Institute Study, Bankrate, Glean