The nature of work is constantly evolving. Even so, the past year has brought upon even more dramatic changes than before. Companies have begun, delayed and cancelled their return to office plan. The Great Resignation has seen more turnover, even as people disagree on its name and its long term impact. This is all going on while employers try to figure out how to improve the employee experience, expand wellness options, and emphasize diversity, equity and inclusion as goals from previous years.
All these options can be quite confusing. Human resources have to put in extra effort to sort out new priorities, and stay ahead of the curve. What should they do about remote work? How should they implement new technology in the workplace? Is wellness still a priority? How should HR professionals address turnover? All of these are important considerations.
What are the HR trends you need to pay attention to as a New Year approaches? These are big ones to take note of going into 2022.
Hybrid and Remote Work
Working from home has become an entrenched routine for so many for well over a year and has transformed how employers have evaluated their daily operations. However, as conditions improve, more offices are welcoming back their employees as they try to return to some form of normalcy with their respective businesses.
Some employers are adopting hybrid schedules. Employees are required to be in person for work for a few days out of the week while the rest of the week’s work activities are done remotely. Others have also changed their communication and retention methods to allay any fears about returning to in person work.
Even as employers are bringing staff back into the physical workplace, the likelihood of workers staying remote for the foreseeable future is high. As much as 74% of professionals expect the work from home model to become standard. With this in mind, HR teams must compromise with employees, and adopt options that workers prefer.
As a result of a hybrid system, HR departments will constantly have to adjust working with staff who aren’t present on-site. Plus, they’ll have to conduct their interviews and screening processes with prospective employees virtually. This makes it essential for employers and HR teams to automate their operations, introducing cloud systems and online portals to improve their capabilities as workers pop in and out of the office.
An Increased Need for All-in-One Employee Management Apps
Another key trend to pay attention to is the increased adoption of new technologies to connect hybrid and remote workers at all times. Employee management apps boost productivity and engagement internally, shifting workplace dynamics, offering transparency and providing real time data to make informed business decisions throughout the organization.
Quality employee management apps bridge communication gaps between office employees and remote workers while optimizing the onboarding process, enhancing employee training and automating daily processes. Plus, it’s easy for remote and in person employees to share information.
Even though a comprehensive employee app can bring employees together, it can also separate them into groups. A document concerning safety protocol on the factory floor is not relevant to remote employees. Sales reports don’t need to be shared with software developers. The communication tool should also be able to filter out messages, saving employees from unnecessary notifications.
Improved Employee Wellness Programs
Employee wellness has always been an important part of employee engagement. Traditionally, they have emphasized flex spaces and mental health. Organizations should continue their existing programs, and even add new options.
Some may want to see these programs limited, not recognizing its importance. That would be a mistake. When planning for wellness, recognize its value as opposed to ROI.
Currently, some HR departments are buffering their employee wellness programs to help employees ease their concerns with their physical and mental capabilities amid the new normal. Furthermore, they are introducing financial wellness programs to help employees manage their money better amid financial uncertainty triggered by today’s economic situation.
Total Compensation as a Solution for Turnover
Recently, turnover has increased substantially, coupled with a record amount of job openings. Companies are searching for a solution to this significant problem. One such solution is total reward statements. Also known as a total compensation statement, this document breaks down all the employee benefits and perks offered by a company, beyond just a standard salary. In this way, staff members can see everything they receive, including the intangible assets.
Employee discontent can be addressed when companies clearly communicate just how valuable each person is to them. Couple a total reward statement with a communication tool to make sure the message gets out there. Employees will appreciate the transparency.
Many companies are even going beyond just communicating via total rewards. Employers are also boosting the compensation packages they offer by emphasizing benefits, including paid time off, bonuses and wellness programs. It’s incorporated into annual merit increase plans as well. This shows that employers value the hard work from their employees while also improving retention and attracting new people as they look for a job change.
One thing each of these trends has in common is convenience. HR departments are making things easier for the employee experience. When the nature of work has changed so much, every little bit helps.
