In this month’s REOS Spotlight, we examine employers’ concerns for their businesses in the future, which were collected as part of the Recruitment Experiences and Outlook Survey (REOS).
Over the last 2 years, employers’ concerns have changed substantially. In 2021 COVID-19 related issues were the most common, as reported by 40% of employers surveyed. However, in 2023,
COVID-19 concerns have dwindled, while recruitment and/or staff retention difficulties have increased for employers across Australia (reported by 24% of employers).
Employer sentiment varies across the states. While recruitment and/or retention difficulties were most commonly the greatest future concern for employers in Western Australia (30%), employers in Victoria were much more likely to be concerned about costs (12%) compared with other states.
Notably, one in five employers in New South Wales were more likely to be concerned about the decline in demand for their services and products and the state of the economy.
Employers in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry were most likely to have no concerns (44%), while those in Transport, Postal and Warehousing were the least likely to have no concerns (18%). Concerns about the decline in demand and the economy varied, although most prevalent in Accommodation and Food Services (25%).
Find out more in the REOS Spotlight: Employers’ greatest concerns for the future.
