When predictions were made about the 2020 human resources trends, not so many people were aware of the disruptions that the Covid-19 pandemic was going to cause to the global economies and specific industries like the recruiting industry. The industry managed to adapt to the rapid changes, and currently, there is a new normal for getting stuff done.
As we head to 2021, a lot is still expected to happen, and for placement agencies, it is vital to learn about the expected trends so that you prepare adequately, and make most of every opportunity to get great results for your clients. With that said, read below for a brief look at some of the trends we can expect to see in 2021 and the coming years:
Increase in remote working and learning
The pandemic revealed to the world that it is possible to get work done remotely without coming to the office. The same was also the case with learning institutions – classes can be attended remotely and exams administered remotely. It is estimated that over 80% of remote managers are concerned that working away from the office may lead to a decline in productivity, while 98% of the employees prefer to be allowed to work from home for a couple of days during the week.
In 2021, we can expect both the employers and employees to agree on some middle ground between working at home and working from the office. What is, however, clear is that remote working and remote learning are there to stay, and it is up to organizations to work on how to restructure operations to accommodate this new form of normality.
Intense skill-building and adaptation
It is becoming apparent to many organizations that they must embark on a thorough transformation to bridge the significant skill gaps they are witnessing around the workplace. Most organizations have realized that meaningful transformation is never a walk in the park owing to workforce incapability as well as the lack of future skills among the current employees.
Organizations must reskill significantly if they are to stay competitive and keep on attracting top talents to their organizations. This is not only a concern for the employers alone but also the recruiting agencies. They must now focus on a candidate’s versatility to adapt to or acquire new skills because of the high probability to reskill soon.
Consumerization in the workplace
Most employees are not just looking for work, but the kind of engagement that will allow them room to be independent and make their own choices when it comes to accomplishing the organization’s goals and tasks. In other words, they are now inviting customer mentality into the workplace. Consumerization of resource management, as well as the workplace, has compelled most of the human resources teams to be more proactive and become more flexible when it comes to considering employees’ specific preferences. The one-size-fits-all approach is failing astronomically, and it is imperative for human resources departments to appreciate what employees prefer and that they work best with customized benefits, schedules, as well as role content among others.
More growth of the gig economy
With the continued growth of the gig economy, the traditional employment setup might as well be on its death bed. Over the past years, we have seen the number of employees and professionals opting for gig works grow; and you will be startled to learn that nearly a third of the total workforce in the United States is from the gig economy.
This is a subtle indication that the gig economy is not something to be wished away from since more professionals are continuing to appreciate the autonomy, flexibility, and better work-life balance that it brings. Back in the days, a temp recruiting agency in Montreal would fill up for instances when workers were needed without any obligation of long term engagement, but the gig economy has effectively taken care of that. More and more gig-based engagement is expected to be witnessed in 2021 and the coming years.
More attention to employee wellness
Gone are the days when employee’s well-being meant availing health insurance cover for the employee and their family. The demands of modern life and the need for employees to continue giving their best have compelled HR professionals to start looking into employee’s well-being more intently. Currently, employees are more stressed than ever – they have to deal with their personal lives, and when this is coupled with the pressure from the companies demanding them to perform, it sometimes becomes too much for them to bear.
As a result, human resources departments are coming up with wellness programs designed to keep the workers healthy – both physically and mentally, so that they can remain productive and more engaged when within the work environment.
More growth in HR outsourcing
The placement agencies have been around for a while, and most organizations have always tasked them with finding them the best talents to fill up open positions. This trend is not likely to go away any time soon. Most businesses and organizations have realized that it is cheaper and more efficient to outsource some of the HR functions – especially when it comes to finding and hiring talents.
The increase in HR outsourcing has also been necessitated by the growth of the role of human resources such as the increased use of technology. However, this should not imply that businesses will no longer have HR departments and outsource all the functions.
These are just a few of the trends to stay on top of for 2021. Remember to take a step back and look at how this Covid-19 pandemic may affect your business even with the promises of vaccination on the way.