5 Hot Topics in HR 

The pandemic and racial justice movements have sparked discussions in HR departments, shaping workplaces in 2022 and beyond. A Gallup report revealed that 85% of employees are not engaged or actively disengaged at work, highlighting the need for HR to grow and evolve. Organizations must identify what is keeping employees disengaged and uninterested. Each HR department will have its own answer, but it is crucial for companies to take a hard look at what needs tweaking. Conducting an employee engagement survey is a great way to analyze the complexities of the workforce and identify what they need to feel engaged, fulfilled, and motivated. Companies should go beyond the hottest HR trends and talk to employees and potential candidates to ensure their satisfaction and motivation.

1. Remote Work

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift to remote work, presenting challenges such as presenteeism, reduced team cohesion, and technology shortfalls. HR departments that previously relied on face-to-face recruiting and onboarding will need to find solutions to work effectively as more organizations embrace remote work. To ensure employees feel connected, organizations should incorporate in-person events and transition them to a virtual world, such as virtual happy hours. Offering a budget for a work-from-home office setup and providing a comfortable work environment are also essential. Companies like ours offer reimbursements for necessary tools and meals, ensuring a comfortable work-from-home environment for employees. By doing so, organizations can adapt to the changing landscape of remote work and ensure a successful transition.

2. Diversity and inclusion

Diversity and inclusion strategies are becoming increasingly important in HR, as employees desire companies that incorporate these principles into their standard operating procedures. Studies show that a diverse and inclusive culture increases revenue, innovation, and productivity. The field of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is changing, with individuals becoming more integrated into teams and focusing on progress rather than perfection. To achieve this, organizations should set DEI goals, measure data early, and track progress along the way. Investing time in incorporating these principles into an organization is well-received.

3. Mental health

Mental health is a crucial issue for employees, as 40% of adults in the US have reported experiencing mental health problems since the pandemic began. Employers must provide mental health resources, including affordable care and empathy from management. To address this, companies should create a culture of check-ins, offer training on mental health, and reexamine policies and procedures. Additionally, they should create a flexible working environment for employees to take time off for mental health help if needed. By balancing company hours and paid time off policies, employers can help their workforce navigate the challenges of a global health crisis and a virtual work environment.

4. Overall wellness

The focus on mental health and physical wellness is growing in the workplace, leading to increased expectations for employers to prioritize employee wellness. Organizations can create wellness programs to support employees' physical health, boosting job satisfaction and engagement. Recruiters can use this dedication to attract new hires. Gusto, for example, created "Mindfulness in a Remote World" to help students alleviate stress and fatigue. This program aimed to help future candidates understand Gusto's culture and increase employer branding and engagement.

Another way to support employee wellness is through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which offers free assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services for employees with personal or work-related problems. Creating a resource for employees to discuss mental health and wellness is crucial. It is essential to normalize mental health and wellness, creating an inclusive environment where employees can discuss and discuss these topics.

5. Data-driven HR strategies

HR departments are increasingly utilizing data in their decision-making process, focusing on metrics like turnover rate and absenteeism to strategize staffing needs and find solutions to problems. Data helps HR professionals understand the tools employees need for productivity and make a strong business case for their importance. Additionally, data is crucial in recruiting strategies, tracking the rate to hire, diversity of the candidate pool, and employee acceptance rate. However, tracking this information can be challenging. A platform like Diversity Analytics can help companies track this data with ease, providing over 75 self-reported data points on all applicants, providing a more nuanced and well-rounded picture of candidates.

References

Unsapped, 2024. Hot Topics in HR. [Online] Available at: https://www.untapped.io/blog/10-hot-topics-in-hr 

Moor, C., 2022. Remote work and HR. [Online] Available at: https://www.testgorilla.com/blog/remote-hr/ 

Lamps, M., 2023. HR Trends. [Online] Available at: https://www.itagroup.com/insights/employee-experience/hr-professionals-guide-diversity-and-inclusion