Companies and their human resources teams constantly have many responsibilities on their hands. While businesses must address the challenges facing them in the current moment, they also need to prepare for the difficulties of the future. By planning ahead, HR leaders can put helpful strategies in place as precautions and handle these conflicts in stride as they arise. Let's take a closer look at some of the next decade's HR hardships:
Growing the next generation of leaders
By 2025, millennials will make up 75 percent of the workforce, a The Brookings Institution study found. That means HR professionals of today need to prepare their companies for a group of employees with different values, who will soon lead organizations instead of simply filling entry-level positions. The key is implementing strategies that enhance worker engagement and retention within the business, according to The Undercover Recruiter. Offering a collaborative environment, a flexible work schedule and a strong work-life balance are smart ways for leaders to keep their people interested in their role and in the company as a whole.
"Corporate social responsibility will continue to gain importance in the workplace."
Incorporating corporate social responsibility
As more members of the younger generations enter the jobforce, businesses will need to shift their focus from strictly money-making practices to engaging in operations that give back to the environment, by creating volunteerism opportunities or developing corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs. CSR is already a major focus for many of today's employees. In fact, 35 percent of workers said they would take a 15 percent pay cut if their employer was dedicated to CSR, a Net Impact study reported. HR teams need to make this transition their priority by creating opportunities for people to participate in volunteer activities and using the partnership for future branding.
Less skills-related hiring
Today, job listings are littered with wordy descriptions, detailing the necessary skills candidates must have to apply for the position. That won't be the case in the next decade, according to The Adler Group. Instead, businesses will focus on competent and highly motivated applicants who, once hired, can call on skills and experiences to prove their ability to perform the job successfully. The pool of potential employees will grow to include a more well-rounded group regardless of age, gender, physical challenges, etc.
The next decade will bring a variety of changes to the workforce, as well as the way businesses and their HR personnel operate. In order to handle these potentially difficult challenges to the best of their ability, company leaders must begin preparing today. If HR teams are aware of current trends in their field, they can better plan for how these ideas will continue evolving over time.