As the tides of change relentlessly batter our economic shores, HR professionals find themselves at the vanguard of steering through turbulent waters. Gartner's recent research underscores five vital priorities for HR leaders in 2023, all of which are crucial to overcoming the intricate landscape of inflation, employee expectations, and an unyielding pace of change.
Uncover the Top 5 HR Priorities for 2023: Empowering Tomorrow's Workforce Today
- Leader and manager effectiveness – 60%
- Organisational design and change management – 53%
- Employee experience – 47%
- Recruiting – 46%
- Future of work – 42%
Organisation disruptions and by an array of unparalleled challenges: filling vacancies, managing supply chain disruptions, and balancing the needs of both employees and businesses. The pandemic has led to a change in thinking in employees' expectations, redefining the role of work in their lives. The demand for authentic, empathetic, and adaptive leadership has never been greater.
Leaders have never had so many challenges and the old style of leadership isn’t working for many. Authentic, empathetic, and adaptive style are being demanded by staff. Now more than ever the use of psychometrics for recruitment and development are essential.
Add to the mix that employees, (including leaders), are exhausted by the continuous change that takes place in organisations. The pace of change can be seen all around us, especially now with AI and ChatGPT which has already changed the way people work. Over 80% of employees have used it for their work already, which is adding to the existing exhaustion from continuous change, which means that HR leaders must ensure they tackle the strategic implications, and develop comprehensive policies to manage the risks and benefits of these advancements.
Employee expectations have changed since the pandemic. People have re-evaluated how work fits into their life. Call it ‘woke’, call it what you like, but people want more – more flexibility, a shared purpose, a focus on wellbeing and to be treated as an individual. Whilst labour strikes, and conflict resolution requests reveal escalating tensions in the workplace. In my network of consultants, the increase in conflict resolution and mediation requests shows the ongoing tensions that exist between people, which have only increased since the pandemic and remote working.
As HR leaders endeavour to retain and engage employees, they must prioritise flexibility, meaningful career opportunities, and personalised approaches. Creative recruitment strategies, efficient onboarding, and a robust employer brand are essential to winning the battle for talent in 2023. Quiet quitting is still happening, with recent research highlighting that 75% of employees looking for a career change are looking externally. People are in demand, they have choices, and building your employer brand and culture is essential for people to stay.
Mental Health and wellbeing have also risen to the top of the agendas, especially due to the after- effects from covid, and now the cost-of-living crisis. Organisations who are proactive in talking about financial wellbeing and implementing wellbeing policies are more likely to attract and retain staff.
In the face of burnout and mounting pressures, HR leaders have an unparalleled opportunity to make a strategic impact at the highest levels. It's time for HR to shine, spearheading innovation and change to shape the future of work in a world that desperately needs their expertise.
By Sarah Hamilton-Gill FCIPD, Managing Director, Globus HR Consulting Ltd
LinkedIn: (99+) 🌱 Sarah Hamilton-Gill FCIPD | LinkedIn
