Randstad Digital Australia

Employers are faced with witnessing and managing “mini breakdowns” in the workplace more than ever before. Burnout and stress are major factors in today’s workforce to the point where the theme for World Mental Health Day 2024 is: “It’s time to prioritise mental health in the workplace”. And it starts with leaders but, in practical terms, what does that mean for them? According to Forbes: 1. Start with work: Critically assess people’s workloads. Are deadlines reasonable? Is hybrid work an option? How can you better support your employees? 2. Walk the talk: Use your influence to destigmatise mental health by discussing it openly and sharing your personal well-being strategies with your staff. If you invest in your mental health and engage in self-care practices, including fostering work-life balance, there will be a ripple effect as people emulate workplace culture. 3. Involve the right people: Companies often rely on external experts, HR or internal wellness teams without involving managers and leaders. However, it’s crucial to get buy-in from the day-to-day decision-makers who are on the ground, to help drive mental health awareness. 4. Invest in what matters: Be prepared to invest in mental health benefits and give of your time, show genuine interest, and contribute to thoughtful strategies to develop mental health programmes. This way employees will feel met and heard and seen and connected. But, there is no quick fix so you have to invest in the long game.  5. Education and training: Promote awareness and dispel myths through staff training, using knowledge to create an empathetic, non-judgemental culture. 👥🤝 #MentalHealthDay #MentalHealthMatters #PrioritiseAndDestigmatise

The rise of AI in software development often sparks fear among programmers as AI assistants that write code are not science fiction but becoming an established part of software development practices. While AI may not completely replace human-coded software, its growing capabilities are undoubtedly reshaping how software is written and used. A study was conducted by Dr Najmeh Hafezieh and Dr Farjam Eshraghian on GitHub Copilot to find out how software developers really felt about AI coming for their jobs. They analysed over 16,000 tweets from software developers about their experiences with Copilot and the results delivered a surprise. Here’s what they found: Programmers first approached Copilot with fear and scepticism which shifted to excitement as they explored and started to use it. They discovered its potential to automate tedious tasks, freeing them to focus on creative challenges. The study highlighted the importance of experimenting with AI tools, which led to a deeper appreciation by programmers for their value in enhancing workflows. Tools like Copilot, for instance, also showed great promise as powerful educational resources for novice programmers. The hybrid worker era is here, heralding an exciting future of human-AI collaboration. This workplace evolution isn’t about competition, but rather a powerful partnership between human ingenuity and AI capabilities. For developers concerned about AI, try viewing it as a skill-enhancing tool. Embrace the rise of the “hybrid programmer” - it’s an exciting new frontier in software development.

🥂🎉 Happy Workiversary to all our October joiners. For all you give, For all you do, For working hard, For being you. For being there,  Day in, day out... Thanking you is what  Your Special Day is about. As we celebrate each of you for your invaluable contributions to Randstad Digital, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation for your loyalty and commitment. Here’s to many more successful and happy years together as we navigate the rapidly evolving world that is digital. 💻 #Congratulations #CelebratingYou #HappyAnniversary

Australia’s new “right to disconnect” law, effective from 26th August for most businesses, aims to improve work-life balance and boost productivity. The government argues this legislation will foster a more focused and loyal workforce. 💻📲 The law allows employees to ignore work-related communications outside standard hours without fear of repercussions. While employers can still contact employees after hours, responses aren’t obligatory unless refusal is deemed unreasonable. The Fair Work Commission can intervene in disputes, with authority to order employers to cease after-hours contact or mandate employee responses if necessary. Noncompliance can result in significant fines. This legislation addresses growing concerns about work-life balance in Australia. A recent survey revealed Australians worked an average of 281 hours of unpaid overtime in 2023, valued at approximately A$130bn. We join several countries implementing similar measures, including France, Belgium, Portugal, and Spain. And, as this new law takes effect, it marks a significant shift in Australia’s approach to work-life balance, potentially setting a precedent for other nations to follow. #RightToDisconnecLaw #NoAfterHoursComms #WorklifeBalance

🚢 Embark on the Clipper Stad Amsterdam Experience with Randstad Digital Australia 🚢 We’re thrilled to unveil the first of our exclusive video series from the Clipper Stad Amsterdam event! 🌊 This brief glimpse offers a taste of the elegance and energy aboard the ship, where our clients, candidates, and consultants came together in a unique setting. Get ready for more detailed and focused insights in the coming weeks. #RandstadDigital #ClipperStadAmsterdam

Infinite Potential’s State of Workplace Burnout 2024 report, based on a study of 2 008 participants in 43 countries, including Australia, reveals that the four-day work week is a compelling approach to productivity and well-being. The concept is simple: work one day less per week while maintaining full pay and productivity. It’s gained massive popularity since the COVID-19 pandemic, and the results are impressive:  - Only 10% of four-day week workers experience burnout, compared to 42% of those on traditional schedules.  - Employees are more effective and efficient, challenging the notion that longer hours equal greater output.  - The approach leads to “demonstrably positive outcomes for both individuals and organisations.” This isn’t just a passing trend. Multiple studies show that the four-day week improves worker productivity, retention, and overall efficiency. It’s a data-driven strategy for building a happier, healthier, and more productive workforce. As Australia continues to evolve its work culture, could switching to a four-day week be the answer to ever-increasing employee burnout? #4DayWorkWeek #WorkLifeBalance #AustralianWorkforce #ProductivityBoost

💡 Consider: * AI is reshaping industries at breakneck speed * The tech skills gap is widening * Employees crave growth opportunities The risks? Not only a brain drain but skills stagnation 🧠 Upskilling your Tech team for the AI age isn’t just about retention—it’s about: 1. Fostering innovation 2. Staying competitive 3. Building a culture of continuous learning 4. Attracting top talent 🤖 In the race against AI obsolescence, standing still is falling behind - something no company can afford to do. #AIReadiness #Upskilling #Reskilling

A new report released in July 2024 by the Tech Council of Australia (TCA), backed by Microsoft, LinkedIn & Workday, predicts massive AI job growth in Australia by 2030. Here are some of the key highlights: * AI workforce projected to grow to 200,000 by 2030 📈 * Equal to 500% growth from current levels of 33 000+ workers 🤯 * Would mean $115 billion boost to the economy 💰 * 70% of these gains would come from productivity gains 🔧 Fun fact: There are now as many AI workers in Australia as school principals or architects! 🏫🏗️ How we’ll meet the demand: ✅ Entry-level training ✅ Upskilling current workers ✅ Mid-career retraining Australia’s AI revolution is just getting started and as we prepare for an AI-driven future, we are presented with yet another opportunity for innovation, growth, and shaping the world of tomorrow. 🚀 #AIJobs #AustralianTech #FutureOfWork #AIRevolution

💰🌍 It’s International Equal Pay Day 💰🌍 Many may not even know that such a day exists. So why is equal pay important enough that an international day is dedicated to it annually? The reason is to highlight the inequality that still exists for people doing equal work of equal value but not being paid the same, especially when it comes to the pay gap between men and women. So, today is about recognising and valuing contributions equally, regardless of gender, race, or other factors. Australia overall is making strides to reduce the gender pay gap, ranking 26th globally for gender pay equality (compared to 43rd in 2023). However, not all Australian sectors share this progress, with some industries even regressing. So, while our wage gap may have improved significantly compared to many other countries, much work remains, including in the IT and technology sector, to achieve total parity. Continued action must be taken to ensure the wage gap is closed altogether so that every individual is recognised and rewarded fairly and equally for work of equal value. #EqualPayDay #EquityMatters #CloseTheGap

Artificial Intelligence is unleashing a new wave of sophisticated scams, leaving Aussies vulnerable and cybersecurity experts scrambling. This is according to Dr Chao Chen who warns of AI-enhanced sophisticated phishing, ransomware, deep fake scams, and even hacking of smart devices, costing Australians billions. Did you know that: * $2.74bn was lost to scams alone last financial year * $1.3bn in bogus investments was lost in 2023 due to AI-created fake videos and messages from celebrities and loved ones to dupe people into investing in fake financial schemes. Despite growing awareness, Australia faces a critical shortage of AI-savvy cybersecurity professionals and the rapid evolution of AI-driven threats makes it difficult for traditional security measures to keep up. The solution? Chen advises Cybersecurity firms to: 1. Develop AI tools to combat AI-generated scams 2. Establish rapid response teams 3. Conduct thorough post-incident analyses And you and I must become more vigilant and extra careful. Digital scammers continue to find ways to part victims from their hard-earned cash so take every precaution possible from two-factor password authentication to investigating any so-called investment opportunity thoroughly. Because ultimately, everyone has a role to play in keeping ourselves digitally safe. #CyberSecurity #DigitalScams #StaySafeOnline