Margaret Morrissey discusses the future of the workplace and how the global healthcare landscape is changing.
For Margaret Morrissey, the country HR director at healthcare company Abbott Ireland, the foremost challenge facing the healthcare industry is also its greatest opportunity. That is, the endeavour to help the greatest number of people to live healthier, fuller lives. Especially as life expectancy increases and so does the demand for a healthcare system that is capable of supporting independence and wellbeing.
“Our mission is bold,” Morrissey told SiliconRepublic.com. “By 2030, we aim to improve the lives of 1 in every 3 people on the planet. Ireland plays a pivotal role in this ambition, with our teams driving innovation and impact across ten sites nationwide.
“We’re building a diverse, skilled workforce that will meet the health needs of tomorrow. Workers today are seeking purpose and few missions are more meaningful than improving global health.”
How do you make sure Abbott is prepared for the workplace of the future?
We provide our employees with exceptional development and advancement opportunities, competitive benefits that support both them and their families, and meaningful work that makes a difference. Abbott is committed to fostering a workplace that is inclusive for all. And we’re proud to be a leader in advancing women in STEM, with 47pc of our senior managers being female. Across our 10 sites in Ireland, our workforce represents more than 60 nationalities, reflecting the global reach of our company.
Our Future Females in Engineering Programme nurtures talent from within, and initiatives such as Women Leaders of Abbott (WLA) continue to elevate female leadership across our sites. We also champion educational opportunities. Through our €100,000 grant to The Ireland Funds’ No Mind Left Behind programme, we’re supporting students from DEIS schools in Kilkenny. Delivering equality of opportunity in schools is an important Department of Education initiative, because opportunity should never be limited by background.
Work-life balance is central to job satisfaction. Will the future of work help achieve it?
Work-life balance is multifaceted. It’s not just about hours or location, but about emotional and physical wellbeing and the freedom to thrive in an environment where you can do your best work while being yourself. Abbott offers exciting, purpose-driven roles in cutting-edge healthcare, while enabling people to stay rooted in their communities across Ireland. Our approach to wellbeing includes comprehensive healthcare plans, an employee assistance programme (EAP) and our LiveLifeWell initiative, which supports everything from fitness to cancer awareness to mental health. We also offer a range of flexible work options and time-off programmes, helping our people care for themselves and their families.
We’re looking at a more automated future, how do you think this will affect roles in your sector?
AI is revolutionising healthcare. It’s transforming how we manage wellness, accelerate innovation and expand access to care. Its potential is immense, especially in high-pressure environments where time and precision are critical. AI is allowing us to engage more deeply with the people who use our products, allowing them to personalise and manage their health. The promise of AI is immense in other areas as well, including improving access to care, clinical research, product performance, patient care and productivity.
What new jobs do you think will come to the fore?
As industries evolve, so do the roles within them. Abbott is investing in upskilling and development to prepare our workforce for the future. We want to ensure we stay ahead of trends while continuing to deliver innovative, accessible healthcare.
While technical roles will grow, soft skills will remain essential. Leadership, empathy, emotional intelligence and communication will be just as critical as digital fluency. These human qualities are the foundation of great teams.
What will companies need to do to attract and support the best talent?
Attracting and retaining great people today goes far beyond offering competitive salaries. It requires cultivating a workplace culture built on empathy, purpose and progress. People want more than a job, they seek opportunities to grow, to feel valued and to contribute to something that truly matters.
We also believe that companies must be active, positive forces in their communities. Our employee-led volunteering programme, Croí an Óir (Irish for ‘heart of gold’), is a testament to that belief. Since its launch in 2017, it has raised more than €2.5m for 870 charities across Ireland. Every year, employees from all 10 sites select a charity and work together to raise funds, demonstrating the power of collective compassion and purpose.
What can companies do today to prepare for the work of tomorrow?
Preparing for the future means embracing continuous learning, innovation and adaptability. In a world of rapid change, companies must establish cultures where curiosity, experimentation and feedback are not just encouraged but an essential part of the organisation. Despite a competitive labour market presenting natural pressures on talent sourcing, a talent fulfilment strategy combining internal development with targeted external hiring, supports capability growth through technical upskilling, succession planning and internal mobility.
But preparation also means investing in the next generation. In Ireland, we’re deeply committed to inspiring young minds through STEM outreach. In 2024 alone, we reached more than 5,000 students through hands-on activities, supported by 1,000 volunteers who contributed more than 1,400 hours. These efforts help spark excitement about science and technology, laying the foundation for a future workforce that’s skilled, passionate and ready to lead.
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