What is Workplace 2012?

Mercer’s Workplace 2012 is a series of research, analysis, and leading thinking about tomorrow’s business trends and their impact on your business today. Workplace 2012 will be particularly useful for Executives responsible for setting their organisation's strategic agenda.

Workplace 2012: Why an economic downturn won’t change ongoing workforce challenges for employers

Workplace 2012: What does it mean for employers? was launched in April 2008 and outlined research profiling the Australian workforce over the next four years. The report discussed how employers can mitigate the risk of pending demographic shifts threatening Australian businesses.

In October 2008, Mercer commissioned research into an updated profile of the workplace in 2012, taking into account economic data and events from February to October 2008, and including updated demographic projections.

The updated report – Workplace 2012: Beyond the Global Financial Crisis – highlights that in times of economic turmoil, the issues of workforce planning and talent management do not subside – they become more critical than ever.

Employers that lose sight of long-term workforce trends may find themselves without the skills and workers necessary to survive and grow in the medium - and longer term - future.

What's new?

Profiling the workforce between now and 2012:

• The amount of workers aged 55+ in the labour force will increase by 14% – an extra 224,000 individuals. Growing from 1.7 million to 2 million.
   
• The amount of workers aged 25-54 in the labour force will increase by 5%.
   
• Women aged 55+ in the labour force will increase by 19% - 125,000 more individuals.
   
• Men aged 55+ will increase by 10% - 99,000 more individuals.
   
• Queensland's labour force is forecast to grow the fastest of any state.
   
• Tasmania's labour force is forecast to grow the slowest of any state.

Mercer's Workplace 2012 makes headlines