Imagine you were sitting on a panel focused on answering the big questions in the HR space.  The moderator opens the conversation with some quick statements or statistics and then turns to the questions.  The moderator calls on you first and says, “If you were to define the current state of affairs within the HR space, how would you answer that question?”

How would you answer the question?

In an attempt to find consensus on the topic, the HR Exchange Network turned to its audience of 800,000-plus HR professionals to get the answer.

The State of HR

The Stats

Many things within the HR space are transforming.  Look at the way you perform your day-to-day activities. If you’ve been in human resources for 15 years or more, you’ve seen quite a few changes.  Those changes point to the reality the days of HR being merely transactional are extinct and the evolution of the strategic HR department is underway.  So, what shape will the future take?  Where will the focus lie in order to achieve success? 

According to our latest report, the State of HR, 17 percent of HR professionals say the focus should be on company culture. 

Culture is one of the factors potential job candidates are going to use to determine whether or not they want to work for the company.  According to Glassdoor’s 2019 Mission and Culture Survey, 77% of adults in the United States, United Kingdom, France and Germany would consider company culture before putting in an application.  79% would consider the company mission before applying.  Additionally, a study by Robert Half found one-third of workers in the U.S. (35%) and Canada (40%) wouldn’t accept a job that didn’t match their culture requirements.  One of the first questions asked in an interview by these potential workers is about workplace culture.  In some instances, they will and are asking permission to investigate the culture on their own.  They’re going to want to explore the office or main floor and interview current employees to get a real sense of the culture.  They’re also going to put their findings against answers/perception given by HR.  If that isn’t enough, culture is also significant to the company’s ability to retain their best employees.

That in itself has its own challenges.

So, how does HR improve the culture?  From our research, respondents say cultivating strong employee relationships is the best way.  Others include increasing individual and team collaboration and increasing leadership development opportunities. 

But why culture?  We looked to what HR professionals defined as the biggest disruptors for human resources. 

HR continues to grapple with the changes in the workforce defined by the continued retirement of older workers (Baby Boomers and Generation X) and the hiring of more Millennial and Generation Z workers.  And these workers want more from their employers than any other generation before them. 

Not only is there a desire for a strong culture, but also for flexibility and transparency. 

2020 and The Future of Work

Of course, the ultimate name of the game when it comes to business and the State of HR is making sure the needs of the business are met.

So, what does the future look like?

First, consider the multigenerational workforce and the new leadership competencies HR believes are emerging. 

What’s significant about these results?  These are traits that define the future worker.  The majority of them are also soft skills.  HR recognizes it’s not enough to just have technical expertise.  Workers must also be able to interact effectively with other people.  The human component is once again taking precedence over an employee’s skill with a particular tool.  This new class of worker must be able to communicate effectively.  Companies that don’t embrace these skills will increase their risks of falling behind competitors.

Want to learn more about the Future of Work?  Sign up for our free online event!

In Summation

The State of HR report is packed with data sourced from HR professionals just like you.  In addition to the data above, it includes the complete results from our State of HR survey.  Additionally, HR professionals from Allstate, Allegion, AdventHeatlh and Akebono Brake weigh in on the data and give real life practical advice for creating the HR department.

Readers will:

1. Learn about the top HR challenges, priorities and trends heading in to 2020.
2. Have access to practical application of the survey’s findings; what does the data mean and how should HR shift its focus.
3. Further understand why the company culture is so important to the success of the business and how HR professionals believe the goal can be achieved and put in to practice.

Download your copy here!

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