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Two thirds of European workers expect employers to help solve societal issues
15.10.2019

Two thirds of European workers expect employers to help solve societal issues

Ricoh Europe report into the Future of Work explores how collaboration, purpose, sustainability and technology will shape employment in the next 10 years

Ricoh Europe, London, 15 October 2019 – Workers are increasingly expecting their employers to contribute positively to societal issues, according to a new report released today by Ricoh Europe. The Future of Work report, researched and produced by Arup, explores how technology will shape our jobs, with collaboration and sustainability at the core.
To employees, the onus is on employers to use the power of technology as a force for positive change at work and beyond. A supporting study of 3,000 European workers found that three quarters (74%) believe that as technology improves and automates tasks, employers must empower their staff to achieve better work-life balance. Additionally, close to two-thirds (63%) expect employers to harness profitability gains from automation technology to re-invest in its people and community.
Two thirds (65%) of European workers expect their employers to be part of the solution for societal issues such as climate change and inequality. Additionally, 28% would be willing to take a 10% pay cut to work for an employer that was committed to helping solve societal issues.
However, the majority of workers are sceptical of their employer’s intentions. Two thirds (65%) believe their employers will use automated technology to increase profits and cut jobs.
David Mills, CEO, Ricoh Europe comments: “Through cloud computing, artificial intelligence, mixed reality and robotics, there is a vast array of technology that will change the way we work over the next 10 years. Organisations must make smart decisions and adopt the right technology for their needs, but technology is not a magic bullet or replacement for your human workers – they remain vital to the workforce of the future.
“Collaboration and sustainability must be at the centre of a modern business. People are looking to employers to set an example and make more positive contributions to the communities in which they operate. Collaboration is key to tackling the big issues that we are grappling with in modern society – it cannot be left to not-for-profits or governments. Those businesses that plug technology benefits into the community will thrive and attract the best talent. At Ricoh, we believe the best route to achieving this is through aligning our work with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.”
The Future of Work report analyses more than 100 sources, to bring together the best-in-class thinking and use cases on how work will shape employment. It finds that technology will fuel new modes of collaboration between humans, human and machines and machines with other machines (automation).
It concludes that automation and technology is driving the business agenda, but it finds that the role of humans in work will remain vital for businesses to operate sustainably. Technology will ultimately free workers from laborious tasks to focus on more valuable and fulfilling work and enable businesses to reinvest into making more positive contributions to society.

A closer look across Europe:

Gains from technology should be reinvested to improve work-life balanceEmployers need to play a role to solve societal issues such as climate change or inequalityEmployers should use the benefits of technology to reinvest in the community and its peopleEmployers will use automation technology to increase profits and cut jobs
UK71 %51 %51 %68 %
France72 %70 %62 %68 %
Germany78 %66 %67 %63 %
Italy74 %68 %71 %62 %
Spain80 %68 %76 %73 %
Netherlands70 %67 %51 %58 %
Learn more about the importance of putting sustainability and people first in the Future of Work by downloading the full report here.

|About Ricoh|

Ricoh is a leading provider of integrated digital services and print and imaging solutions designed to support digital transformation of workplaces, workspaces and optimize business performance.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh’s global operation reaches customers in approximately 200 countries and regions, supported by cultivated knowledge, technologies, and organizational capabilities nurtured over its 85-year history. In the financial year ended March 2023, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 2,134 billion yen (approx. 16.0 billion USD).

It is Ricoh’s mission and vision to empower individuals to find Fulfillment through Work by understanding and transforming how people work so we can unleash their potential and creativity to realize a sustainable future. 
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