Close to nine in 10 business leaders are concerned they will be forced to wind back progress in areas such as learning and development (86%) and employee wellbeing (86%) due to an expected economic slowdown, according to LinkedIn.

Global C-level executive research from the professional networking site shows that Irish businesses feel they are being pressured to make tough decisions that may reverse progress made in these areas.

However, flexible working is here to stay with three-quarters of Irish business leaders saying that working from home, flexible and hybrid working are here for the long-term. 

Additionally, over the next six months, the top priority for Irish business leaders is to provide support to help hybrid/remote teams work productively (33%) followed by improving employee retention to avoid new hire costs (30%) and supporting employee career development (29%). 

The share of remote jobs increased to 20% in April. As of September, 14% of jobs in Ireland are listed as remote and these roles are in demand, receiving 20% of applications.

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Ireland has more remote positions available than most markets, with the UK at 12%, Germany at 10% and France at 6%.

Respondents also recognise people are concerned due to the increased cost of living (38%) and worries over being laid off (28%) are playing on employees’ minds currently. 

"A motivated workforce is key to gaining a competitive advantage and at a time of uncertainty, impacting this is counterintuitive to what a business needs to survive and succeed," said Sharon McCooey, head of LinkedIn Ireland.

"It is crucial to building a diverse and resilient business that can adapt in a fast-changing world, particularly at a time when the majority of people have other pressures such as the higher cost of living on their minds. 

"Leaders who think to the future and prepare to invest in their people during these times will be the ones that come out on top. It will be the businesses that are positioning their employees to thrive in the long-term who will outperform competitors and succeed."

The survey was commissioned by LinkedIn and carried out by YouGov among 100 C-level executives across Ireland from organisations with 1,000+ employees and annual turnover in excess of £250m between 27 September and 19 October.

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