About 30% of the participants said they are hiring more people for remote and hybrid jobs this year.
With seven in 10 organisations continuing to hire freelancers/contractors, flexible work models and the gig economy are expected to remain relevant in 2024, says the report.
Of the surveyed companies, 22% had implemented layoffs last year–against a global average of 32%–and more than half had reduced their hiring.
In India, the IT, computer software and business process industries laid off the most employees. About 61% of the respondents said global economic conditions drove hiring in 2023.
Human resources leaders also predict that proficiency in generative AI will be the most sought-after skill in 2024.
According to the report, AI and automation will continue to influence job roles across industries. Content writer and customer service job profiles are at the highest risk of becoming obsolete, with 51% and 46% of HR leaders in these segments, respectively, believing that these jobs are likely to be replaced by AI.
Demand for AI-centred job roles such as machine learning engineer and AI product engineer is expected to surge.
“Moving into 2024, organisations are predicted to focus further on skills. Inclusive hiring will be the top diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) priority, with 68% companies prioritising equal opportunities for all genders as they plan talent acquisition strategies for the coming years,” said Siddhartha Gupta, CEO of Mercer | Mettl.
Forward-thinking organisations are leading the way by creating a work design that defines how people interact with AI and leverage it to their advantage, Gupta said.
Mercer | Mettl is a global talent measurement capability of HR consulting company Mercer, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan. Mercer | Mettl has partnered with more than 6,000 corporates, 31 sector skill councils and government departments, and more than 500 educational institutions across 100-plus countries.
