The modern workplace has continuously evolved, constantly adapting and changing to meet employees’ preferences on where, how, and why they want to work. In response, employers strive to remain attractive to employees by offering compelling perks, better work environments, and training and development programs.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it changed the work environment and put additional pressure on businesses and HR teams to better meet the needs of their workers. Here are five key HR trends to keep an eye on this year.
The Great Resignation will continue
In 2021, employees voluntarily left the workforce in droves. Some were driven by the need to be home with their families. Others left jobs for better opportunities. This trend of employees leaving their jobs will continue in 2022. In fact, research shows that employees will be more likely to leave in 2022, with 65% of workers saying they intend to stay in 2022 versus 70% of workers in 2021. The great exodus is driven by several factors, including workplace environment and culture, compensation and benefits, and prioritizing work-life balance. Companies that can meet their employees and prospects with the right blend of these will attract and retain better, happier, and more productive employees.
Hybrid work is here to stay
The pandemic dramatically changed the way we work, driving many businesses to provide the opportunity for employees to work remotely from home. Many workers discovered that their work-life balance was better when it included hybrid work opportunities. The majority want flexible work options to continue, whether it is the opportunity to be fully remote or to have a hybrid version with options to work both in the office and remotely. Companies that give their employees the ability to design their work environment, including opportunities for remote or hybrid work and flexibility in hours, will better attract and retain top talent.
Businesses will take on a bigger role in supporting employee wellbeing
We’re seeing a shift in what workers expect from their companies. They’re looking for businesses that support their well-being on all levels. Employees’ physical and mental health impacts their fulfillment, resilience, productivity, and relationships. Companies that offer programs and policies that support employee wellbeing experience less absenteeism and lower turnover and can also increase your bottom line by potentially lowering healthcare costs.
The importance of supporting mental health
The pandemic took a toll on everyone. Employers who didn’t support their workers by making mental health a priority drove some of the Great Resignation, as workers looked for better opportunities with businesses that made employee mental wellbeing a priority. Employers will continue to face the challenge of supporting employees suffering from burnout, loss, or health and family issues during the pandemic. Educating leadership and the workforce on mental health issues and providing mental health training, policies, and support for employees’ mental health are key strategies that enable a business to support the mental health of their employees and their employees’ families as we move into 2022.
DEI initiatives will continue to grow
Studies show that 76% of employees report that a diverse workforce is essential when evaluating companies, while 32% will not apply to companies that lack diversity. Beyond policies and procedures that help support and increase diversity in the workforce, businesses need to look at their overall diversity, equity, and inclusion statistics to see where changes can be made to improve and better support DEI across their company. Making DEI a priority supported by your company’s core values, with programs and policies in place to support DEI health and growth, will be vital to maintaining a happy and diverse workforce.
Improve Employee Benefits with Employco
At Employco, we strive to determine our clients’ headaches and create a customized solution to meet their needs. Whether your company needs HR outsourcing, employee benefits, payroll processing, workers’ compensation, or help designing policies and processes to address the needs of your employees, we are here to help you create the right solution.
Contact us for innovative HR strategies and solutions to help you provide the best benefits and employment processes for your employees and your organization.