EY Survey: Employee mobility critical to addressing talent gaps amid rising cost pressures

Cost pressures and uncertain labor markets demand that employee mobility becomes a critical focus as companies worldwide use it as a strategic tool to help solve talent shortages, according to the EY 2025 Mobility Reimagined Survey.    The survey canvassed the views of 1,074 mobility professionals across 22 countries revealing significant differences in how leading organizations address talent gaps and GenAI implementation compared with those that are struggling.   Demand for global talent at an all-time high   With the demand for global talent surging, the survey finds that 48% of employers are struggling to find the required talent to meet their business needs, while 74% report that filling senior positions can take more than a year.   The findings underscore the pivotal role of mobility in driving organizational growth and enhancing talent attraction and retention. An impressive 85% of respondents indicate that mobility assignments can be transformative, with nearly half (48%) stating that such experiences increase their likelihood of staying with their employer.   Additionally, companies with mobility programs that are integrated with wider organizational and talent goals are more than twice as likely to experience 10% revenue growth.   Claudia Sofianu, Partner, People Advisory Services Leader, EY Romania, says: “Employee mobility has emerged again as a strategic priority for companies worldwide. In the past, it often addressed a shortage of expertise, particularly for senior roles. Today, however, the focus has shifted to aligning with business needs amid an unprecedented demand for talent. As organizations face a competitive job market, effectively moving talent across roles and locations is essential. This evolution underscores the importance of strategic workforce planning and fostering a culture that supports mobility, enabling companies to attract and retain top talent.”   Evolving mobility functions face pressures to do more with less   The EY survey finds that an overwhelming 96% of mobility professionals express a desire to reduce costs. Evolved mobility functions are more adept at tracking performance ratings (68%), revenue impact (63%), promotion rates post-assignment (59%) and speed to fill vacancies (53%).   Seeking twice as many cost-reduction measures compared to their counterparts, evolved mobility functions boast double the number of fully automated and outsourced processes. This strategic approach underscores a commitment to enhancing efficiency and maximizing value in an increasingly challenging economic environment.   Preparing for GenAI solutions in mobility   The 2025 Mobility Reimagined Survey highlights a growing readiness among mobility professionals to embrace GenAI, with 70% believing it will positively impact their functions, influencing flexible working, employee productivity, and risk management.   The number of mobility professional respondents routinely using GenAI jumped from 22% to 35% year-on-year. With GenAI taking some of the burden of day-to-day tasks – like routine document preparation, or the retrieval and drafting of data analysis from multiple functions – mobility professionals are then able to provide higher-level talent consultation to HR and the executive team.   Corina Mindoiu, Partner, People Advisory Services, EY Romania: “Amid rising cost pressures and an unprecedented demand for specific skills, global mobility teams have to become an even more strategic partner to organizations. In these uncertain times, global mobility teams must play a pivotal role in reshaping mobility strategies to effectively address talent shortages, business needs and disruptive trends. Embracing evolved mobility programs can significantly impact revenue and foster a culture that attracts the right talent in today’s landscape.”