Transformation of the labor market: The World of Work Report 2023

Digital and ecological transformation are on everyone's lips and are influencing every area of society. Whether in local elections, start-ups, or large associations such as the VDMA (the latter, incidentally, has two exciting positions at politjobs), this “twin transition” is being worked on everywhere. This topic is therefore also the focus of the Working World Report 2023, which examines key impacts on the labor market. It primarily deals with processes such as demographic change, digitalization, and decarbonization.

The report has two main focuses: On the one hand, it deals with the development of supply and demand in the labor market and the changing requirements for skills and qualifications. Second, it addresses the workplace as a place of transformation and the design of transformation processes there. The results show that environmental and digital skills are becoming increasingly important. Companies should therefore offer further training to strengthen skills such as the secure handling of data in order to survive the dual transformation. In addition to establishing sustainable work, social aspects are also relevant: Social security should be guaranteed, and a stronger focus on work-life balance and maintaining employability is necessary to prevent labor/skills shortages. According to the report, the key factor is ultimately a corporate climate in which all relevant internal and external stakeholders work together to implement the dual transformation in the best possible way. We were also interested in these topics:

• AI in the world of work: Many people hope that the use of artificial intelligence will reduce their own workload. This is shown by a survey conducted by Microsoft on current developments in the labor market, the so-called Work Trend Index. It shows that 63% of employees would delegate tasks to AI in order to reduce their own workload.

• Digitalization: Remote work and digital work are increasingly blurring the boundaries between work and private life. While this can sometimes be practical, it can also become a burden when constant availability jeopardizes work-life balance. The SRF knows how to counteract this.

• Health at work I: Shift work and similar models can lead to illness because they work against the body's internal clock. Die Zeit (€) describes a particularly drastic case in which breast cancer was legally recognized as an occupational disease.

• Health at work II: Mental health can also suffer at work when stress and anxiety become a burden. A recent survey by mental health company Headspace addresses this very issue and shows how many employees suffer from work-related mental health problems.

• International labor market: The German Bundestag's Committee on Labor and Social Affairs recently visited Iceland. The committee chair's conclusion: There are things we can learn from them – the Tagesspiegel summarizes exactly what.

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