Bain & Company’s new report highlights five key themes that are reshaping the future of work and the steps firms need to take to get ahead in the shifting war for talent. The report is grounded in a survey of 20,000 workers, conducted by Bain & Company and Dynata, as well as more than 100 in-depth interviews. Bain & Co's research looked at 10 countries—the United States, China, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, India, Indonesia, Nigeria and Brazil—that represent around 65% of global GDP and offer a broad perspective from different cultures around the world.
Today’s business environment is more dynamic than ever. Senior leaders are urged to move at “internet speed” and accept continuous change and disruption as “the new normal.” Automation is redefining how work gets done, and organizations are restructuring—or trying to—in an effort to be more nimble and responsive to an expanding array of risks and opportunities. Bain Futures brings you penetrating and highly relevant research, insights and analyses so you can make the informed decisions and bold moves that will spell success.
The research from this report identifies five key themes that are reshaping the future of work
Motivations for work are changing. Gains in living standards over the past 150 years are allowing us to spend less of our time working, but are raising expectations about what a job should provide.
Beliefs about what makes a “good job” are diverging. As attitudes toward work fragment, the average worker is no longer a useful approximation. We’ve identified six worker archetypes, each with a different set of priorities.
Automation is helping to rehumanize work. Distinctly human advantages—around problem solving, interpersonal connection, and creativity—are growing in importance as automation eliminates routine work.
Technological change is blurring the boundaries of the firm. Remote and gig work are on the rise, but they are challenging firm cohesion.
Younger generations are increasingly overwhelmed. Young people, especially in advanced economies, are under mounting psychological strain that spills over into their work lives.