The 2024 HP Work Relationship Index Shows AI Users have a healthier relationship with their work
A Second Annual Global Survey Finds That Workers Who Use AI are 11 points happier with their relationship with work compared to non-users
HP has released its second annual HP Work Relationship Index, a comprehensive study which explores the relationship between the world and work. The study, which included 15,600 respondents from 12 different countries and industries, revealed that work still isn’t working. Only 26% (or UK knowledge workers) have a positive relationship with their work. This is an increase of one point compared to the findings from last year. New findings, however, focus on two possible solutions to improve relationships between work and employees: AI and personalized work experiences.
Neil Sawyer is the Managing Director for HP UK and Ireland. He said that many businesses are still not able to adapt their workplaces, cultures, tools and leadership styles in order to meet workers’ changing expectations. “In the UK it is clear that one size fits all is not enough. 76% of business executives agreed that change is urgently needed to improve employee relationships. This is a +10 points increase since 2023. Employees are demanding more flexibility when it comes to where, when and how they can work. “Business leaders must recognize that these choices affect not only the employees’ relationship to work, but also their wellbeing and long-term commitment.”
Personalized Work Experiences Lead to Healthier Relationships With Work
The study, in its second year of analysis, continued to examine aspects of the relationship between people and work. This included the role that work plays in their lives, as well as their skills, abilities tools, workspaces, and expectations for leadership. WRI’s findings for this year reveal a universal need among knowledge workers: personalized work experiences.
Two-thirds or more of workers want a personalised experience at work, which includes tailored workspaces, flexible working environments, and access to preferred technology. These experiences are vital for improving the relationship between employees and their work. They also have positive effects on both businesses and employees:
- Knowledge workers in the world say that if their work could be tailored to meet personal preferences and needs, they’d be more committed to the growth of their companies.
- 69% of knowledge workers believe that it will improve their overall wellbeing.
- Global knowledge workers – 68% – said it would encourage them to stay longer with their employers.
The desire for individualisation is so strong, that 85% UK knowledge workers are willing to give up a part of their salaries for it. Workers would give up to 13 percent of their salaries on average.
AI opens new opportunities for knowledge workers to enjoy work and improve productivity
AI use among UK knowledge workers is expected to increase from 27% in 2018 to 66% by 2024. AI is bringing benefits to workers around the world, including a better relationship with their work.
- Nearly 7-in-10 (69%) customise their AI use to be more efficient, which indicates AI could be the key to unlocking a personalised experience at work.
- 60% of respondents believe that AI is a major factor in improving work-life balance.
- AI is a new opportunity for 68% of respondents to find enjoyment in their work.
- 73% of respondents agree that AI is a key factor in advancing their career.
Knowledge workers around the world who use AI are also +11 points happier than their peers who do not. There is a need to put AI in the hands of workers as soon as possible, since non-AI users are more concerned about AI replacing their jobs. In the UK, 39% expressed concern, an increase of +10 points from last year.
Female leaders are a bright spot for business leaders who lack confidence
The global index shows little change. However, the countries with an improvement in their work relationship index showed a slight improvement for the six drivers of a good relationship at work. This was most noticeable in the Leadership and Fulfillment driver. The index for this year revealed that trusting senior leaders is still a key factor in building a strong work relationship. However, there’s a disconnect in the way people view the importance of certain human skills, such as mindfulness, self awareness, communication, creativity, resilience, empathy and emotional intelligence.
- Only 27% of UK leaders are confident in their ability to empathize, despite the fact that more than 90% of them acknowledge its importance.
- Only 28% of workers around the world consistently experience empathy from their leaders despite 78% of them valuing it.
The research this year did reveal a bright spot, however: female business leaders. Globally, women business leaders have +10 points more confidence in their technical, computer and presentation skills. The female counterparts are +13 points more confident than the male counterparts in terms of human skills. Moreover, the confidence of female business leaders in both human and hard skills has increased over the last year (+10 in human skills +4 in hard skills), whereas that of male business leaders in both areas has remained static (-3 in hard skills).
Visit the Work Relationship Index website for more information and to view the complete report.
Methodology
HP commissioned a survey by Edelman Data & Intelligence, which was conducted between May 10, 2024 and June 21, 2024, in 12 countries, including the US, France France, India UK, Germany Spain Australia, Japan Mexico Brazil Canada and Indonesia. HP surveyed 15,600 total respondents – 12,000 Knowledge Workers (1,000 per country), 2,400 IT Decision Makers (200 per country), and 1,200 Business Leaders (100 each country).
The original version of this article, AI users have healthier relationships with work, appeared first on HR News.
