Austria has some catching up to do in digitization

Austrian companies feel least prepared for the trend toward digitization. This results in two main tasks: On the one hand, HR should prepare managers and employees for increasing digitization. On the other hand, HR departments need to digitize their own processes and workflows much more than before.

"Rigid, inflexible and not very user-friendly systems dominate the HR sector. However, the trend is clearly moving in the direction of mobile, cloud-based solutions and apps. Many companies are just setting the right course here."

Julian Mauhart emphasizes.

The low level of automation of HR processes to date means that the focus in Austria continues to be on operational HR work - with strategy coming up short. According to the Deloitte HR benchmark, Austrian HR departments have less than half of their time available for strategic, value-creating topics.

That is 20 percent less than the international average. The composition of the workforce is also steadily becoming more diverse. Millennials with high expectations for personal development are working side by side with baby boomers who are in the final stages of their careers.

To date, the target group of Millennials has been severely neglected by management development.

Focus on employee retention

The increased focus on employee retention and engagement remains a key HR trend. Almost one in nine respondents sees corporate culture as an important to very important challenge in attracting and retaining top talent.