Employer-Driven Workforce Innovations
Providing employees with ongoing learning and development opportunities, as outlined in the previous section, is a key driver to strategic workforce development, but there are other factors that employers should also consider. How organizations respond to changes that impact workforce effectiveness is critical to remaining competitive with regional, national and global competition. This section will highlight success stories of employers in the state that were pioneers in the adoption of emerging technologies, implementation of new work practices (e.g. hybrid/virtual work) and creation of frameworks to promote career development. In July 2022, Jasco Products, a smart electronics supplier, invested $40 million to automate warehouse processes in Oklahoma City and no jobs were lost in the process. The automation allowed Jasco to expand their warehousing capacity by 70% and create a safer, more ergonomic workplace. At a time when labor markets are tight, investing in automation like Jasco could help supplement a strong workforce and possibly provide higher-quality jobs for employees. During the pandemic, many companies had the opportunity to pilot virtual, hybrid and flexible work options. While headlines continue to showcase a movement back to the office, many companies in Oklahoma are still offering flexible work options for employees. Hybrid and flexible work schedules may not work for every industry and every profession, but these options can help employers gain a competitive advantage when attracting and retaining a strong workforce. Providing flexible options for employees can come in all shapes and sizes and companies are encouraged to take a custom approach that takes individual jobs into consideration, while also meeting business needs. Below are a few examples of employers in Oklahoma who offer types of flexible work options: Devon Energy offers alternate work schedules (9/80) and is a flexible workplace that allows working from home one to two days per week, based on position. American Fidelity emphasizes the importance of balance and flexibility; nearly every role is open to flexible work schedules with in-office and remote days.
ONEOK highlights that flexible schedules are offered, which likely vary based on role. Explorer Pipeline values work/life harmony for employees and offer flexible hybrid work arrangements.
WorkTrends 2024
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