2024 HP Work Relationship Index Reveals AI Users Have Healthier Relationships with Work

Rhea-AI Summary

HP Inc. released the second annual HP Work Relationship Index (WRI), surveying 15,600 respondents across 12 countries. Key findings include:

• Only 28% of knowledge workers have a healthy relationship with work, a 1-point increase from 2023
• AI usage among knowledge workers increased to 66% in 2024, up from 38% last year
• AI users are 11-points happier with their work relationship compared to non-users
• At least two-thirds of workers desire personalized work experiences
• 87% would be willing to forgo part of their salary for personalized work experiences
• Only 44% of leaders have confidence in their human skills
• Female business leaders are significantly more confident than male counterparts in both hard and human skills

The study highlights AI and personalized work experiences as potential solutions to improve work relationships.

Positive

• AI usage among knowledge workers increased from 38% to 66% in one year
• Workers using AI are 11-points happier with their work relationship
• 73% of AI users feel it makes their jobs easier
• 69% of AI users customize it to be more productive
• 87% of workers would accept a salary reduction for personalized work experiences
• Female business leaders show higher confidence in both hard and human skills compared to male counterparts

Negative

• Only 28% of knowledge workers have a healthy relationship with work
• Only 44% of leaders feel confident in their human skills
• Only 28% of workers consistently see empathy from their leaders
• 37% of non-AI users express concern about job replacement by AI, a 5-point increase from last year

Insights

Technology and AI Expert

The surge in AI adoption among knowledge workers, from 38% to 66% in just one year, marks a significant shift in workplace dynamics. This rapid uptake suggests that AI is quickly becoming an essential tool rather than a niche technology. The reported benefits, such as improved productivity and work-life balance, indicate that AI is delivering tangible value to users.

However, the 11-point happiness gap between AI users and non-users is concerning. It could lead to a two-tiered workforce where AI-savvy employees have significant advantages. The 37% of non-users fearing job replacement (up 5 points) highlights the urgency for companies to address this divide through training and equitable AI access.

The willingness of workers to sacrifice up to 14% of their salary for personalized work experiences is remarkable. This suggests a major shift in how employees value workplace benefits, potentially reshaping compensation structures and talent retention strategies in the tech industry.

HR and Workplace Culture Analyst

The minimal improvement in healthy work relationships (28%, up 1 point) is alarming, indicating persistent issues in workplace satisfaction. However, the strong desire for personalized work experiences presents a clear opportunity for employers to improve engagement and retention.

The finding that 64% of workers would be more invested in company growth with tailored work experiences is crucial. It suggests that personalization could be a key driver of both employee satisfaction and business performance.

The leadership confidence gap is concerning, with only 44% of leaders feeling confident in their human skills. This lack of confidence could hinder effective leadership and employee trust. The standout performance of female leaders in both hard and soft skills is noteworthy and could inform leadership development and diversity initiatives in the tech sector.

Second Annual Global Study Finds Workers Who Use AI Are 11-Points Happier with Their Relationship with Work Compared to Non-Users

News Highlights

• Only 28% of knowledge workers from various industries around the world have a healthy relationship with work, a one-point increase compared to 2023
• AI usage among knowledge workers surged to 66% in 2024, up from 38% last year; and workers who use AI are 11-points happier with their relationship with work than their colleagues who don't
• At least two-thirds of knowledge workers desire personalized work experiences; and 87% would be willing to forgo a portion of their salary to get it
• Only 44% of leaders have confidence in their human skills; female business leaders are significantly more confident than their male counterparts

PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, HP Inc. (NYSE:HPQ) released the second annual HP Work Relationship Index (WRI), a comprehensive study that explores the world’s relationship with work. The study, which surveyed 15,600 respondents across industries in 12 countries, reveals that work is still not really working. Only 28% of knowledge workers have a healthy relationship with work, a one-point increase compared to last year’s findings. However, new findings hone in on two potential solutions to improve relationships with work: AI and personalized work experiences.

“We know employer and employee expectations have evolved and we believe smart technology is key to meeting the needs of today’s workforce,” said Enrique Lores, President and CEO of HP Inc. “The future of work will be unlocked by using the power of AI to create solutions and experiences that drive business growth and enable individuals to achieve personal and professional fulfillment.”

Personalized Work Experiences Can Lead to Healthier Relationships with Work

In its second year, the study continued to analyze aspects of people’s relationships with work, including the role of work in their lives, their skills, abilities, tools, workspaces and their expectations of leadership. This year, WRI reveals a major universal need from knowledge workers: personalized work experiences.

At least two-thirds of workers expressed a desire for personalized work experiences, including tailored workspaces, access to preferred technologies and flexible working environments. These experiences are crucial for improving relationships with work, and have positive implications for both employees and businesses:

• 64% of knowledge workers say if work was tailored or customized to personal needs and preferences, they would be more invested in their company's growth.
• 69% of knowledge workers believe it would enhance their overall well-being.
• 68% of knowledge workers stated it would incentivize them to stay with their current employers longer.
  

This desire for personalization is so strong that 87% of knowledge workers would be willing to forgo part of their salary for it. On average, workers would be willing to give up to 14% of their salary with Gen Z workers giving up as much as 19%.

AI Opens New Opportunities for Knowledge Workers to Enjoy Work and Improve Productivity

AI usage among knowledge workers has surged to 66% in 2024, up from 38% last year. Workers who use AI are seeing the benefits, including a healthier relationship with work:

• 73% feel that AI makes their jobs easier, and nearly 7-in-10 (69%) are customizing their use of AI to be more productive, indicating AI could be an ingredient to unlocking a more personalized work experience.
• 60% state that AI plays a key role in improving their work-life balance.
• 68% say AI opens up new opportunities for them to enjoy work.
• 73% agree that a better understanding of AI will make it easier to advance their careers.

Further, knowledge workers who use AI are +11-points happier with their relationship with work than their colleagues who don't. Therefore, there is an urgency to get AI into the hands of workers sooner rather than later as non-AI users have shown increased fear of job replacement by AI, with 37% expressing concern, a +5-point increase from last year.

Business Leaders Lack Confidence; Female Leaders Emerge as a Bright Spot

While at the global scale the index highlights little change, countries that saw an increase in their individual work relationship index saw slight improvement across the six key drivers of a healthy relationship with work – most notably the Leadership and Fulfillment drivers. This year’s index revealed that trust in senior leadership remains a critical factor in a healthy work relationship, but there is a disconnect between the recognition of the importance of human skills (e.g., mindfulness, self-awareness, communication, creative-thinking, resilience, empathy, emotional intelligence) and leaders’ confidence to deliver:

• While more than 90% of leaders acknowledge the benefits of empathy, only 44% feel confident in their human skills.
• Only 28% of workers consistently see empathy from their leaders, despite 78% valuing it highly.

However, this year’s research uncovered a bright spot: female leaders. On average, female business leaders are +10-points more confident in their hard skills (technical, computer, presentation, etc.), and notably +13-points more confident in human skills than their male counterparts. Additionally, female business leaders’ confidence in both skills grew over the past year (+10-points in human skills, +4-points in hard skills), while confidence among male business leaders remained stagnant in human skills and decreased in hard skills (-3-points).

For more information on the HP Work Relationship Index, please visit the WRI website and to access the full report, please visit the HP Newsroom.

Methodology

HP commissioned an online survey managed by Edelman Data & Intelligence (DXI) that fielded between May 10 – June 21, 2024 in 12 countries: the US, France, India, UK, Germany, Spain, Australia, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, and Indonesia. HP surveyed 15,600 respondents in total – 12,000 knowledge workers (1,000 in each country); 2,400 IT decision makers (200 in each country); and 1,200 business leaders (100 in each country).

HP Inc. Media Relations
MediaRelations@hp.com

FAQ

What percentage of knowledge workers have a healthy relationship with work according to HP's 2024 Work Relationship Index?

According to HP's 2024 Work Relationship Index, only 28% of knowledge workers have a healthy relationship with work, which is a one-point increase from the previous year.

How has AI usage among knowledge workers changed from 2023 to 2024 according to HP's study?

AI usage among knowledge workers has significantly increased from 38% in 2023 to 66% in 2024, according to HP's Work Relationship Index study.

What percentage of workers would be willing to give up part of their salary for personalized work experiences?

The study found that 87% of knowledge workers would be willing to forgo part of their salary for personalized work experiences, with the average worker willing to give up to 14% of their salary.

How does AI usage affect workers' relationship with work according to HP's 2024 study?

HP's 2024 study reveals that workers who use AI are 11-points happier with their relationship with work compared to their colleagues who don't use AI.

What percentage of leaders feel confident in their human skills according to HP's 2024 Work Relationship Index?

According to HP's 2024 Work Relationship Index, only 44% of leaders feel confident in their human skills, despite over 90% acknowledging the benefits of empathy.