The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the workplace. It’s affected how people work, where they’re able to work, and more. Many coronavirus-related changes weren’t in fact caused by the pandemic, however. These changes, such as increased remote work and HRIS usage, were happening before the pandemic, which exacerbated them. As we move into 2022, it’s important to look at HR trends that will most likely occur this year so that we can plan for them.
Focus on Employee Retention
With so many employees resigning in the Great Resignation, employee retention is more important now than ever before. High turnover was always costly, but now there’s a good chance that if an employee leaves, it may be difficult to fill the open position. Focusing on employee retention means that companies must determine what keeps their current employees engaged. They may need to adjust compensation packages or make adjustments to company culture.
Work-Life Balance
Employees are focusing on their health and well-being more than before. Companies should invest in their employees’ well-being by ensuring that they can maintain a good work-life balance. Employees that can’t prioritize their well-being with a company may seek employment elsewhere. Reducing employee stress and enabling them to focus on their well-being could help to reduce resignations.
Hybrid Working Models
With so many employees having worked remotely throughout much of the pandemic, it’s clear that remote work is possible. It was already increasing before the pandemic, but lockdown measures accelerated its adoption. As the pandemic seems to be winding down, companies are looking at how to return to in-office work. Many employees don’t want that, however. Many want either fully remote work or a hybrid model with some remote work and some days in the office.
Flexible Scheduling
Flexible scheduling was already a popular perk before the pandemic. The need for such flexibility has increased dramatically thanks to COVID-19, however. Employees who are parents have children who are still learning remotely from home due to school closures. This means that they may need the option to continue working from home while others return to the office. They may need to work part of the day in the office and the rest from home to accommodate child care costs or school pickup. Allowing parents and non-parents alike to choose their hours or when to work remotely as needed can help employees to feel valued and that the company is invested in them.
Increased HRIS Usage
There are huge advantages to using HR software. The automation tools can help to free up HR staff time to deal with more important tasks. Artificial intelligence can help with the applicant tracking and hiring process. Using HR software is more important than ever because many offer the tools companies need to invest in their employees’ well-being and career. Many HRIS platforms offer tools for training and skill development. Using a HRIS can help companies to improve employee engagement and thereby also improve employee retention. HR software typically also offers reporting and analytics tools so HR staff can adjust strategies when necessary.
