Robert Half: automation will create more jobs than it kills

Robert Half research shows more jobs are expected to be created than replaced by automation.

Workplace automation is often thought of as a negative occurrence; for most people it is synonymous with job losses.

But research commissioned by recruiter Robert Half shows more jobs are expected to be created than replaced by automation.

While several functions within finance departments are already automated or are expected to be automated within the next three years, almost half (46 per cent) of Australian chief financial officers are planning to expand their permanent financial headcount to help implement their companies’ automation efforts during the next year. Further to this, more than one in three (36 per cent) are planning to create new roles for temporary or contract professionals in the next year.

In terms of job losses, most CFOs (86 per cent) agree workplace automation does not imply a reduction in finance employees in their team but it does require a shift in the necessary skills.

More specifically, the top skills finance professionals need to focus on as a result of automation are: problem-solving skills (56 per cent); strategic vision (46 per cent); commercial acumen (44 per cent); and communication (37 per cent).

This positive jobs sentiment is reflected in a recent speech by Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg at Harvard University.

He says while automation will eventually replace some jobs, it is up to millennials to create new ones.

According to the research, some of the finance functions that are already automated or likely to be disrupted within three years include data collection (88 per cent), invoicing (85 per cent), financial report generation (84 per cent), data entry (77 per cent) and credit management (77 per cent).

“Increased automation within Australian workplaces is not about destroying jobs but, rather, adapting to change — which in turn leads to new opportunities,” Robert Half Asia-Pacific senior managing director David Jones says.

“The modern-day business demands diverse skill sets, resources and assets which will equip companies to be able to respond quickly and flexibly to challenges like automation and digitisation.

“Not only will companies need to bring in additional expertise to lead this change, they will also need to focus on staff training to ensure their workforces have the adequate skills to leverage the benefits brought by existing and future technology, well-developed skills, such as advanced data analysis, interpretation skills, and decision-making skills.”

WORKING FOR FREE

Overtime increased in 32 per cent of organisations during the past year, with 63 per cent of non-award staff unpaid for their extra hours, according to recruiting experts Hays.

Of 2950 organisations surveyed, just 8 per cent managed to reduce overtime during the past year.

Of those organisations where overtime increased, 38 per cent say the weekly increase was five hours or fewer.

For 31 per cent the weekly increase was between five and 10 hours, while for 11 per cent it was more than 10 hours a week.

A separate website poll by Hays of 3592 Australian workers found that 71 per cent would look for another job if overtime became excessive; 57 per cent would do so if the overtime were unpaid, while 14 per cent would do so even if they were paid for overtime.

The final 29 per cent say overtime is part of the modern workplace and even if it becomes excessive it will not prompt them to look for another job.