Employees in Hong Kong seek flexibility in their work arrangements

With the rise of employees who want a better work-life balance, job applicants in Hong Kong prioritise employers who have flexibility setups.

This is according to Randstad Hong Kong’s 2024 Market Outlook and Salary Trends Report, which found that while many factors are currently shaping the dynamics of the job markets in Hong Kong, many are still prioritising jobs that offer flexible work arrangements.

“The increasing expectation for flexible work arrangements, which contributes greatly to better work-life balance, introduces another layer of complexity to managing talent expectations,” Benjamin Elms, Managing Director at Randstad Hong Kong, said.

“This transformative trend underscores the importance of flexibility and innovation in adapting to the changing nature of work.”

Another factor that is shaping the job market in Hong Kong is the growing demand for re-skilling and upskilling opportunities. In 2023, Randstad Hong Kong found that despite three in four employees citing upskilling as important, less than half of the respondents received learning opportunities.

The organisation called for employers to focus on upskilling and re-skilling to promote a more adaptable workforce prepared to meet the dynamic demands of the modern economy.

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Meanwhile, employers in AI, data analytics and cybersecurity are still heavily seeking talent across banking and financial services, healthcare, supply chain and technology sectors. This demand for tech talent can also be found in the banking and financial services sector, for those specialising in fintech, blockchain, and digital assets. This is attributed to the increasing emphasis on data protection and data analytics in multiple organisations.

“Whilst hiring top talent is critical for organisations, employers need to be aware of how and where talent expectations have also shifted. Talent wants more than a wage and is seeking more work-life balance, learning opportunities and a sense of belonging,” Elms concluded.