The Future of Work: Adopting New Technologies and Adapting to Change

Robert Half surveyed more than 1,200 managers in 5 fields to find out how they think technology will transform the
workplace and jobs in their profession.
Here’s what they shared …
Advertising and
Marketing
Human ResourcesTechnology LegalAccounting and
Finance

2* 1* 3
Enhanced productivity
Freed up time to focus on higher-value or more strategic work
Helped staff expand their skills
Improved collaboration between departments and colleagues
Increased efficiency, leading to better work-life balance
Source: Robert Half survey of more than 1,200 managers in the United States
*Denotes a tie. Top responses are shown.
1 1 1 1* 1
2 2 2
2* 3
2 3 3 3
Managers who
think technology
has had a positive
impact ranked the
greatest benefits:
Top Ways Technology Has Benefitted Employees

According to 46%
of managers, the top
way technological
advancements will
affect jobs in their
profession is that they will require new skills.
Here’s how rankings varied by field: 1* 2
Require new skills
Change processes
Create new opportunities for staff
Enhance employees’ productivity
Replace routine responsibilities
1 1 1 1 2*
2* 2* 2* 3
1* 2* 3
1* 2 2*
Allow teams to focus on more strategic areas
3 3 3
How Technological Advancements Will Affect Jobs

Growing Demand for Soft Skills
51% of managers see
the introduction of new
technologies in the
workplace driving up
demand for soft skills,
the most valuable being:
1* 2* 3 3
Leadership
Collaboration
Communication
Strategic thinking
Business acumen
1 1 2 2 2
3 3
1* 1 1 2 2*
3*
Intellectual curiosity
3*

How Business Leaders See Technology Impacting
Jobs
Overall, 85% of managers
think an increased
reliance on technology
has had a positive impact
at their company.
Of those who have increased reliance on
technology, 83% believe it has had a
positive impact for their employees.
*Respondents who have increased reliance on technology in the past 3 years.
Percentage of managers who said an increased reliance on
technology has had a positive impact …
At their company For their employees*

30%
29%
20%
21%
24%
29%
19%
29%
42%
29%
19%
10%
32%
26%
18%
24%
28%
31%
24%
17%
27%
28%
18%
27%
In use
Within 3 years
Within 5 years
Not expected
Technology Adoption Among Managers:
Now and Within the Next 5 Years (1 of 6)
Some responses do not equal 100% due to rounding.
AI and machine
learning
Automation
(including robotics)
30%
33%
20%
16%
24%
29%
21%
26%
39%
33%
19%
9%
32%
34%
20%
14%
33%
33%
24%
10%
24%
36%
18%
22%
In use
Within 3 years
Within 5 years
Not expected

70%
18%
8%
5%
64%
21%
10%
6%
71%
19%
6%
4%
72%
17%
6%
5%
76%
13%
8%
3%
66%
19%
9%
6%
In use
Within 3 years
Within 5 years
Not expected
Mobile/apps
Wearables
31%
30%
16%
23%
22%
24%
18%
35%
36%
34%
13%
17%
38%
28%
13%
20%
29%
36%
16%
19%
28%
28%
18%
26%
In use
Within 3 years
Within 5 years
Not expected

35%
25%
15%
25%
30%
21%
14%
35%
40%
28%
14%
18%
36%
21%
15%
27%
36%
31%
14%
19%
30%
26%
16%
28%
In use
Within 3 years
Within 5 years
Not expected
3D printing
The cloud
72%
16%
7%
6%
66%
19%
8%
6%
77%
16%
3%
4%
75%
13%
7%
5%
76%
14%
6%
5%
67%
16%
10%
8%
In use
Within 3 years
Within 5 years
Not expected

20%
32%
18%
29%
16%
26%
16%
41%
25%
34%
22%
18%
22%
31%
16%
31%
20%
37%
18%
24%
17%
32%
20%
31%
In use
Within 3 years
Within 5 years
Not expected
26%
27%
18%
29%
18%
28%
17%
37%
32%
25%
22%
21%
26%
26%
17%
30%
31%
26%
17%
25%
21%
28%
17%
34%
In use
Within 3 years
Within 5 years
Not expected
Virtual reality
Augmented reality

27%
30%
16%
26%
19%
28%
16%
37%
35%
32%
16%
18%
30%
30%
18%
22%
29%
35%
16%
20%
23%
26%
18%
34%
In use
Within 3 years
Within 5 years
Not expected
43%
29%
14%
14%
33%
29%
18%
20%
51%
30%
9%
10%
43%
30%
14%
13%
48%
26%
15%
10%
38%
29%
16%
17%
In use
Within 3 years
Within 5 years
Not expected
Internet of Things
Blockchain
(including smart
contracts and
cryptocurrency)

49%
28%
13%
10%
42%
27%
14%
17%
62%
24%
9%
6%
53%
27%
13%
8%
50%
29%
17%
4%
37%
34%
15%
15%
In use
Within 3 years
Within 5 years
Not expected
Big data/
advanced analytics
IT managers are more likely to be early adopters of new technology than their counterparts in
accounting and finance, legal, advertising and marketing, and human resources.

Most Disruptive Technologies
According to most
managers (41%
overall), AI and
machine learning
will be the most
disruptive technology
in their profession
within the next 5 years.
2* 2*
AI and machine learning
Virtual reality
Augmented reality
Automation
Big data/advanced analytics
1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2* 2*
2* 3 3 3 3
2*
Internet of Things
3

Percentage of managers who said it will be challenging to find
professionals skilled with new technologies their company
will be implementing:
Tech-Savvy Talent is Hard to Find
Overall, 80% of
managers who recruit
professionals skilled
with new technologies
agree the task is no
easy feat.

Percentage of managers who said their team is …
Eager to learn about new
technologies
Quick to adapt to the introduction
of new technologies
Upskilling for the Future
83% of managers said
their company provides
professional development
to help staff learn about
About 9 in 10 managers think their team is
eager to learn about (90%) and quick to adapt
to (89%) new technologies.
new technologies, the most common methods
being in-person training, seminars or classes,
and online courses.

1. Resistance to change
2. Difficult integration with legacy systems and processes
3. Effort or cost to implement new technologies is greater than the benefits
Biggest Barriers to Adapting to New Technologies
for Teams

Percentage of managers who said …
Work relationships have improved
in the past 5 years
Technology has greatly contributed
to improved work relationships*
Stronger Work Relationships
*Respondents who have seen improved work relationships in the past 5 years.
Overall, 79% of
managers think
work relationships
have improved in
the past 5 years.
Of those who have seen improved work
relationships, 64% feel technology has
greatly contributed to the positive trend.

The Future of Work in the Administrative Field
HR managers shared how they think technology will transform the workplace
and jobs for administrative professionals.
1 2 3 4 5
Replace routine
responsibilities
Enhance employees’
productivity;
Require new skills*
Change processes Allow teams to focus
on more strategic areas
Create new
opportunities for staff
Top Ways Technological Advancements Will Affect Administrative Jobs
1 2 3 4 5
AI and machine
learning
Automation Virtual reality Augmented reality Big data/advanced
analytics
Most Disruptive Technologies Within the Next 5 Years
Source: Robert Half survey of 250 HR managers in the United States

© 2020 Robert Half International Inc. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
For more information about the future of
work and adapting to technological change,
visit roberthalf.com/the-future-of-work.

The Future of Work: Adopting New Technologies and Adapting to Change

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