It isn’t always easy keeping up with the latest HR trends or knowing whether you should implement them. Many businesses find change to be scary, but if you want your organization to innovate and grow, you need to learn how to approach trends in a thoughtful way.
What’s trending in HR
Recent changes in HR practices have been making headlines, for better and worse. For example, Canada’s federal government reacted to the COVID-19 pandemic by introducing an amendment to the Canada Labour Code that grants employees in federally regulated workplaces access to 10 paid sick days. Employees no longer have to choose between paying their bills and prioritizing their health. On the other end, some companies are getting heat in the press for overwhelming their employees with strict return-to-work orders.
As we look to the future, it’s clear there is a competitive market for top talent. Implementing desirable employee benefits and work arrangements is becoming crucial for recruitment.
To stay competitive and ensure the wellbeing of their workers, employers should also continue to reinforce diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) standards and adjust policies and practices to create a safe and positive work environment for all employees. Neglecting to make changes may be seen as problematic inaction or even complicity. In these cases, decisions need to be made quickly, but they also must be made thoughtfully.
HR practices are constantly evolving. Here are a few other trends to keep an eye out for:
- Boosting productivity through meeting-free days
- Determining salary with location-based pay
- Upskilling employees through employee education plans
- Fostering united hybrid workplaces
- Building trust and transparency through workplace flexibility
- Adopting a four-day workweek in response to the Great Resignation
While these are just a small sample of some of the latest HR trends, there’s one thing they all have in common: to implement any of these practices, organizations need to use a personalized approach.
How to find the perfect fit
If you scroll through the headlines, you’ll see that HR trends that may work for one company can receive a completely different reaction when adopted by another. When it’s time for change, you may be tempted to shop for the trendiest items in HR, but remember that a perfect fit is more important than embracing a momentary trend. An item may look good on the hanger, but sometimes it’s best to leave it for someone else.
So how do you know which trending HR practices to adopt? It’s important to consider your company values, employee mentality, and feasibility.
Here are our four steps to finding the perfect fit when it comes to trending HR practices:
- Find your style
- Discover what’s trending with employees
- Assess for longevity and feasibility
- Clearly communicate your plan
Ready to find the right fit for your organization? Download our FREE Guide to HR Trends: Finding the Perfect Fit! Our HR experts break down how to analyse, assess, and adopt HR trends so that you can implement the best practices for your company and employees.
Need a second opinion on whether an HR trend is right for your workplace? Our team of tenured HR professionals can help! Live HR Advice offers unlimited on-demand phone support by senior HR advisors who have experience across all industries and extensive knowledge about what’s trending in HR. Call as many times as you need with any HR question, big or small, and get tailored recommendations for your workplace. To learn more, chat with one of our representatives today!