HR professionals will face significant changes in their role at over the next several years. Four changes are in the immediate future for HR leaders. Let us take a look at those areas that will impact Human Resource leaders:
1. The use of digital data collection will result in the HR department migrating from a labor-intensive area to a specialized function where employee self-service will be the result. Fewer managerial positions along with support staff will be the end result. HR leaders will need to do more with less staff; however, the approval to automate and outsource as many functional areas will be encouraged and is an anticipated trend.
2. HR will play a broader role in supporting the vision of the Board and leaders of the company. Metrics to evaluate performance, talent management, retention and employee satisfaction and engagement will become a focus of company leaders as they look to leverage their successes and minimize their business challenges. HR leaders will need to find new ways to evaluate company and talent performance that is numbers driven with less subjectivity. Increased respect for the profession has resulted in higher expectations for the future.
3. The use of outsourcing to meet the gaps in staffing will be employed and expanded in roles where on-staff employment was typical. Addressing the issue of turnover, employee satisfaction, pay-practices and overall employee engagement will play an important role to meet the on-going labor demands of organizations.
4. HR accountability will result in Human Resources demonstrating through their actions, that employees will be treated fairly and honestly. Consistent application of the prevailing policies will require that HR conduct a periodic review of the compensation practices to determine that those employees that are exhibiting excellence receive the larger merit increase, auditing the promotional opportunities to ensure that only those employees that are excelling in their jobs are receiving new job opportunities. Finally, HR will need to confirm that the learning programs offered to the staff are made available to all employees and not only those that are performing at a peak level.
In conclusion, HR professionals today face extraordinary challenges with respect to managing the business and at the same time meeting the needs of their employees. Human Resources leaders need to take the long-term perspective and adapt to the changes anticipated in the future.
