Servicing your Humans: Your #1 Priority
Posted by Barbara Hodge on December 1, 2022
Running HR services is more challenging and more complex than ever! But also, more important than ever as the workforce shifts and morphs into a part-virtual, remote, and less recognizable being.
Our latest Research Insight Report uncovers trends and insights for HR Services, comparing performance between HR SSOs and HR within a [multifunctional] GBS.
So, what did we learn?
First the elephant in the room: Hybrid working and the impact on recruiting
Do you know where your employees are? We do. The sweet spot for “back in office” is 2-3 days a week, with smaller organizations (under 4,000 FTEs) tending to more “in office.” The obvious challenge is how to encourage collaboration and teamwork, maximize engagement and productivity, and ensure equity and fairness in a remote environment. This applies to current staff as well as new hires.
We’re also seeing recruiting relying more heavily on external resources than internal appointments – which is a double whammy in negativity: higher costs and less encouraging in terms of career paths. It’s worth a rethink.
What About Future Planning and Extension of Services?
HR professionals are nothing if not ambitious. We see a huge appetite for growth in the more “value add” areas of innovation, consulting, and agility, where up to 61% of organizations plan to expand their activity. We also see high hopes placed on technology to provide a better experience. And yet, even the best tools won’t deliver without the right leadership.
Which brings us to … Effective leadership
And this is an eye-opener. What’s the most obvious is the resilience of somewhat old-fashioned notions of command and control. Leaders think their primary role should be to support employees’ “well-being” and only 16% list “empowering employees to use their own initiative.” Contrast this with employees, who put empowerment and trust in first place.
Have we exposed something here?
I think so.
Download the report to learn more.
Till next time,
Barbara Hodge
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