SHRM survey reveals workers prioritise skill portability over job security
New data from the Society for Human Resource Management shows a shift in workforce strategy, with staff investing in credentials to hedge against employer risk while pay remains the primary retention factor.
A new report from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) indicates that workers are increasingly viewing their skills as portable assets rather than relying on the stability of their current employers. The Global Employee Monitor, based on a survey of 10,789 employees across 26 countries, found that approximately 70 per cent of workers maintain high confidence in their employability despite economic instability and concerns regarding artificial intelligence.
The survey, conducted between January and June, revealed that more than 80 per cent of US workers reported they adapt effectively to changes in priorities, processes, or work environments. Nearly 90 per cent of respondents agreed they have effectively adjusted to workplace changes and have actively worked to build or improve the skills required for future shifts. This adaptability has become a baseline expectation rather than a rare trait, with workers demonstrating a steady approach to navigating disruption.
Despite this confidence in their capabilities, pay remains the dominant factor in employment decisions. Nearly half of the respondents cited compensation as the top reason for staying in or leaving a job, surpassing benefits, job security, and work-life balance. This suggests that while workers are optimistic about their own skills, their relationship with employers remains largely transactional, with financial remuneration serving as the primary baseline for engagement.
The data highlights a strategic shift in how employees manage career risk. Rather than trusting employers to provide long-term security, workers are investing in new skills, credentials, and certifications to hedge against potential layoffs or technological displacement. Dan Schawbel, managing partner of Workplace Intelligence, noted that this distinction between job safety and skill portability represents a smarter read on the labour market, as employees actively prepare for change rather than ignoring it.
While job-hugging persists, with nearly 70 per cent of US workers more inclined to stay at their current jobs, many are still exploring the market. Forty per cent of US workers have actively searched for a new job in the past 12 months, and 30 per cent have seriously considered quitting. This behaviour underscores a workforce that is simultaneously loyal to its current position while proactively securing its future through skill development and market awareness.
