Human resources have always been a central issue for every business, in every era. And Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) play a crucial role in developing a high-quality workforce for their organizations. To excel in this role, HR leaders need to move beyond internal management perspectives and embrace broader insights into emerging trends in the field.
A survey conducted by the professional social network LinkedIn on 5,000 human resource and recruitment professionals, combined with behavioral data analysis, indicates that the workplace environment in the next few years will be strongly impacted by the following factors:
4 FACTORS CREATING NEW TRENDS IN THE WORLD OF HUMAN RESOURCES
1. AFFIRMING THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF SOFT SKILLS
Generally, the term "soft skills" is difficult to fully describe everything it encompasses, from emotional intelligence and empathy to creativity, collaboration, and interpersonal communication, etc. To date, although not yet widely taught in higher education systems, soft skills are increasingly proving their importance.
In fact, 80% of those surveyed believe that soft skills are increasingly playing a decisive role in the success of businesses. According to the Future of Jobs report, published at the World Economic Forum 2018, by 2022, skills such as analytical thinking, innovative thinking, and problem-solving will be extremely necessary.
Furthermore, 89% of human resource management professionals emphasize that erroneous hiring decisions stem from candidates lacking or not possessing soft skills. Because these are difficult to detect during the recruitment process, employers usually only find out whether candidates possess soft skills after they have officially started working.
According to surveys, evaluating candidates' soft skills is a major headache for many recruiters and HR managers, with 68% stating that their most common method is focusing on body language during interviews. However, this method is only effective if the interviewee is not affected by anxiety or excitement, and their outward demeanor truly matches their inner personality. Recruiters must also ensure they can accurately decipher body language during communication.
In the future, a proposed solution for evaluating soft skills is the use of artificial intelligence. Specifically, recruiters would list the skills they desire and then use AI-integrated tools to analyze whether candidates meet those requirements.
2. FLEXIBLE WORKPLACES
Not long ago, it was rare for employees to work from home. But with the development of technological advancements, this trend is becoming increasingly common. Jason Phillips, Global Head of Human Resources at Cisco, said: “Flexible workplaces are becoming the norm. The challenge for organizations is how quickly they can meet that demand.”
One of the reasons behind this shift stems from technological advancements. From email and messaging apps to online conferencing services and job social networks, connecting people has never been easier. Therefore, it's easy to understand why the workplace is no longer as crucial as it once was. Furthermore, allowing work-from-home can significantly reduce office rental costs for companies.
Furthermore, people's perceptions of work have gradually changed over time. The idea that each person will do only one job for their entire life no longer exists. Now, people desire a more flexible, balanced, and colorful life.
3. FOCUS ON BUILDING A HEALTHY COMPANY CULTURE
From an ethical standpoint, employers have a responsibility to protect their employees from all forms of bullying or harassment. In some cases, this action also includes legal responsibility. And, for anti-harassment regulations to be truly effective, businesses need to build a culture that emphasizes solidarity and mutual support.
A LinkedIn survey predicts that in the near future, individuals and organizations that fail to implement measures to end harassment or deal with harassers will face significant reputational damage. The report also states that combating harassment is a particularly hot topic in India, with 87% of recruitment professionals affirming that it is a crucial trend for the future of recruitment and human resources. Globally, this figure is 71%.
4. TRANSPARENT AND OPEN COMPENSATION POLICY
The salary research organization PayScale surveyed over 93,000 Americans about how they felt their salaries compared to the market. Two-thirds gave inaccurate assessments, and the majority believed their current salary was not commensurate with their efforts. However, the more serious issue is that, despite not knowing how others are paid, the majority tend to believe they are the lowest-paid. This not only fosters suspicion and negativity but also dissatisfaction with the organization or superiors.
According to a LinkedIn report, the practice of keeping employee salaries secret is likely to end soon. Based on content shared on LinkedIn's platform, the job social network reports that since 2014, transparency in salary policies has increased by 136%.
In the case of the UK, the trend toward transparency in salary policies is contributing to reducing income inequality between men and women in large companies – which often keep employee salaries secret. Furthermore, a transparent salary policy helps build trust, strengthen a diverse and inclusive workplace culture, and reduce salary negotiation time during interviews. Therefore, this could become a trend with a significant impact on the workplace in the near future.
Source: Europeanbusinessreview.eu
