HRM and skills development – September 2021

Safety in close human-robot interaction drives EU test standards development
In traditional industrial robotics, the operations of robot and operator are complementary and belong to separated workspaces. An initiative by European standards body CEN is providing a common framework for proposing a skill-based approach for testing the specific implementations of safety measures in related to close(r) human-robot collaboration.

OECD report on post-COVID investments in lifelong learning
Countries must step up their efforts to enable people to continue learning throughout their lives to navigate a rapidly changing world of work shaped by globalisation and the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the recently published OECD report “OECD Skills Outlook 2021: Learning for Life” (executive summary).

New Study Examines the Future of Work in the Food Industry
Deloitte and the US Food Industry Association FMI are examining how food retailers and suppliers are approaching the future of work. Their report, “Future of Work: The State of the Food Industry,” reveals the industry’s future of work maturity, goals, roadblocks and investment. Talent availability and talent retention are the greatest workforce challenges for the US food business. The report is based on a survey of more than 150 US-based executives. More information can be found here.

Occupational safety and health in a changing world of work
Catalysed by the COVID pandemic, the European Commission has updated her occupational safety and health legislative efforts by adopting a “EU strategic framework on health and safety at work 2021-2027”. This sets out the key actions needed to improve workers' health and safety in the European Union over the coming years. More information can also be found in the published Q&A.

COVID-19 impact on business education: ILO global survey findings shared
The findings of a global survey on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on skilling, upskilling and reskilling in enterprises were presented at a webinar organised by the International Labour Organization (ILO) on 28 June 2021. The survey (2.05 MB) received responses from 114 countries. Nearly 80% of enterprises had completely or partially suspended operations in June 2020 and nearly half had stopped paying stipends or wages to apprentices. Training was interrupted for 90% of employees, 86% of apprentices and 83% of interns and trainees. Some 65% of enterprises took measures to continue training with a 60% shift to online learning.

Return to office or stay working remotely? Hybrid wins
The study On-site, Remote or Hybrid: Employee Sentiment On The Workplace (598 kB) by the ADP Research Institute offers insights into where and how employees feel they work best, along with the opportunities and challenges that come with on-site work and remote work. Employees working on-site enjoy crucial advantages over their remote counterparts, particularly in terms of perceived amount of social interaction, work boundaries and career opportunities. However, the experience of remote working has its own set of advantages according to employees. However, hybrid workers prevail, specifically citing stronger connections and a more positive outlook compared to exclusively on-site workers and remote workers.
 

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