Top HR Trends to Follow in 2021 for Your Business
The year 2020 brought unprecedented challenges to HR professionals as the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the workplace in many ways. Now that we’re in 2021, what should HR professionals expect? Never has there been this level of uncertainty in workplace practices, making it difficult for organizations to remain competitive without staying up-to-date with the latest trends. In this article, we’ll dive into the top HR trends to follow in 2021.
1. Remote Work is Here to Stay
One of the most significant changes that the COVID-19 pandemic brought was the abrupt transition to remote work. Although some employees are returning to the office, many companies have realized the vast amount of work that can be done remotely. In 2021, HR professionals need to focus on building a remote work policy that meets employee needs while maintaining productivity.
2. Workplace Diversity and Inclusion
2020 marked an increased focus on diversity and inclusion initiatives. In 2021, companies must continue to prioritize these efforts. Diversity and inclusion are essential for recruiting and retaining top talent, but they also help to create a more productive and innovative workplace. HR professionals need to create initiatives to increase diversity in their workforce and effectively manage conflicts that may arise in a diverse environment.
3. Employee Mental Health and Well-being
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought smaller and greater challenges to everyone’s life, with stress and anxiety levels skyrocketing. It’s critical for HR professionals to take steps to support their employees’ mental health and well-being, as employees’ personal lives can significantly impact their work performance. To achieve this, companies are offering mental health support in the form of employee assistance programs and telehealth opportunities.
4. Upskilling and Reskilling for the Future
Technology has already been changing the way we work, but 2020 demonstrated that technology will continue to evolve, introducing new practices and processes for businesses. As a result, HR must close skills gaps and provide opportunities for both upskilling and reskilling the existing workforce. This would ensure that employees are prepared for any future changes and that the company can continue to stay competitive in uncertain times.
5. Focus on Employee Feedback and Engagement
Employee feedback is a critical component for companies looking to promote employee engagement and retain top talent. In 2021, HR professionals have to focus on gathering regular and detailed employee feedback to shape the company’s policies and processes. Employee engagement surveys, one-on-one meetings, and focus groups are excellent ways of collecting feedback from employees. Analyzing the feedback received can lead to crafting employee-centric policies that widely support engagement, loyalty, and foster retention.
Conclusion
The HR professionals’ role is to shape the future of an organization by staying on top of the latest trends and shaping policies that would ensure that the company continues to stay competitive. In 2021, companies must maintain a remote work policy, focus on diversity and inclusion, prioritize employee mental health and well-being, upskill and reskill their workforce, and collect feedback from employees. By doing so, HR can ensure that the company functions and thrives in these uncertain times.
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