Fortune 500 Companies used to be the trendsetters when it came to the workforce. Today, it is small companies and startups who have been leading the pace of change. Medium and large companies are experiencing disruption in the nature of “work” the likes of which we have not seen in our own lifetimes, and it will be critical for HR teams to be able to keep up. Here are some of the trends that HR teams must watch for and must be ready to adapt to this year and beyond.
The Rapid Pace Of Technological Change
As technology continues to expand into every area of our personal and work lives, and as that technology becomes faster, cheaper and more accessible, the workforce is becoming more geographically dispersed. Telecommuting is more common than ever before, as are freelancers, consultants, contractors and other remote workers. HR must be able to manage these changing workforces, they must keep up with the speed at which new people are brought in and contracts are terminated, and they must be flexible enough to adjust quickly to the rapid pace of constant change.
The Democratization of Work
Today, “work” is less hierarchical and more project-based than ever before. Instead of staffing a team based on job titles, groups are assembled for short and long-term projects based on the skill set and value that each individual brings to that particular initiative. HR teams must ready to hire for new positions that may include part-time, job-share, freelance, and contract workers. Hiring teams must also be willing to embrace outside-the-box recruiting methods like crowdsourcing, where large groups like social followers and forum members are encouraged to refer talented friends and colleagues for open positions.
The Arrival of True Diversity
Companies have been pushing diversity initiatives for years, but today’s global economy is making diversity a reality, rather than just a concept. There are more women in the workforce than ever before, there are four generations of workers in nearly every company (Boomers, GenX, Millennials, and GenZ), and the cultural diversity of the United States is finally showing itself across all levels of the workforce. HR teams must be able to address generational and cultural differences in policies, programs, work design and compensation. They must also keep up with the ever-changing lexicon when it comes to diversity, especially in the rapidly-shifting area of gender.
Changing Skill Requirements
Many jobs are changing or being phased out as technology continues to improve. Skills that were in-demand just ten years ago are quickly becoming obsolete. HR teams must be able to adapt this change, and they must be well-versed in the technological skills that each position requires.
Is Your HR Team Ready To Rise To These Challenges?
Navigating the future of work means having the right HR team members in place to steer the ship. Reach out to the HR recruiting experts at Contemporary Staffing Solutions to discuss your goals for the coming year and we can help you develop a strategy that will ensure you get there. To learn more, contact CSS today.