As we kick off the year 2022, it can be difficult to avoid feeling a little stuck in Groundhog’s Day as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. Are we back to the office or back at home? Do we require vaccines? Boosters? Masks? How do we manage travel and meeting policies? What’s the best way to engage employees to boost talent retention?
When aggregating a list of top HR trends to watch in 2022, it is no surprise that technology is at the top. HR leaders are going to be responsible for overseeing a massive digital transformation that includes AI and performance management platforms – music to our ears!
Top Trends to Watch in 2022
- AI
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) will not only help automate administrative tasks that will free up time for HR leaders to focus on talent recruitment and retention strategies, but it will also be used for more efficient recruitment, helping employees get answers to common questions more quickly, and upskilling employees.
- As quoted in an article in Forbes, Stacey Taylor, learning design director at DeltaNet, believes, “adaptive learning will truly take off in 2022, due to its ability to connect the learner with short, relevant, impactful intervention they need.” As the next generation of young professionals enters the workplace, companies will need to revise their training in a way that is relevant, engaging, and digestible to them.
- Employee Management Software
- Whether it’s to support onboarding or gathering employee feedback, employee management software is a must-have tool for HR leaders working in a distributed, remote workforce. No longer can we rely on team or all staff meetings, or standard in-person orientation for new employees.
And all this new technology will require a stronger commitment to cybersecurity to protect employee data. According to an article in the South Florida Reporter, HR professionals adopting best-in-class technology will need to manage risk to protect the company from “data theft attacks on confidential company information, and to allow them to protect the personal data of employees.”
- Mental Health and Wellness
- No one is immune to stress and the pandemic and its ever-changing policies and restrictions only complicate matters for employees juggling home and work. While some employers are providing benefits such as PTO for mental health days or flexibility to participate in activities such as yoga, others are creating programs for their employees such as meditation time to help reduce burnout.
- DEI
- According to an article from HRExchangeNetwork, “At the height of the pandemic, the world watched the Black Lives Matter protests unfold before their eyes. Many demanded that businesses take a stand and show their support for the movement.”
- DEI initiatives certainly will continue to be front and center as companies go beyond improved hiring and advancement practices, and consider policies and practices across the entire enterprise to create a more equitable and inclusive environment so that employees can feel comfortable bringing their whole selves to work.
Contact us today to learn more about our modern approach to performance management and development that actually improves the manager and employee relationship. Don’t just take our word for it, see what our Customers have to say.
