4 Months into 2019, What are the HR Trends That are Here to Last?

There were many predictions of HR trends that would take the industry landscape by storm when 2019 started. However, just like new year resolutions, some of these trends have proven to be short-lived fads, and they have largely faded into obscurity. However, there are a few HR Trends that have stood the test of time and are still going strong even as the first quarter of the year draws to a close. Here are a few HR Trends that are here to last.

1. Increased Focus on Compliance

There has been a sustained increased focus on regulatory compliance across the board. There are several regulations in HR that have come to the forefront lately, demanding more focus than the rest. Some of them include:

Sexual Harassment Prevention

Several companies have recently made changes to their various sexual harassment regulations to keep up with the various regulatory requirements in their jurisdictions. This especially comes after the focus that was placed on this issue after the #MeToo movement. Some of these changes include changes in harassment policies and various training requirements.

Paid Family and Sick Leave Laws

These laws have also been updated and HR tends are now focusing more on them. Today, paid family leave provides wage replacement benefits for covered absences. This coverage includes the initial bonding with newborns or recently adopted children, or even caring for a sick family member. Fully paid sick leave is also mandatory in more than 20 states in the US.

New Overtime Rules

There are several changes to overtime exemption rules that have been initiated in recent months. As of 2019, exemption from overtime salaries will increase nationally in the US. Several states are also considering their own individual changes through regulation and legislation.

2. Financial Wellness

This is true especially in relation to retirement savings. Generally, there has been a sustained effort to improve the financial wellness of employees. This trend started as several industries began increasing their wages to better compete for talent in their various niches. Because this approach has a glass ceiling, the new trend has become focusing on creating other ways and means of attracting talent. Companies are doing this by implementing better benefit packages or vacation time. However, the biggest hit has proven to be ensuring the financial wellness of employees through retirement savings.

3. Switching to a Single Provider

When it comes to HR Software, the dominant trend is to switch to a single provider instead of having a whole suite of software that needs to be used in daily activities. Overall, it saves time and reduces the risk of error when companies use an integrated, all-in-one platform that streamlines information between payroll, performance management, org charts, health benefits, and more.

4. Building Teams Based on Diversity and Inclusion

The push for gender equality and the inclusion of minorities in the workplace was a huge deal as 2019 rolled in, and it still doesn’t look like it’s going to die down any time soon. However, the conversation has changed slightly, shifting from a reaction to the #MeToo movement and metamorphosing into a clearer focus on leveling the playing field in the workplace. This especially comes as the number of female Fortune 500 CEOs dropped by 25% in 2018. It has sparked a more resolved drive to close up the diversity and inclusivity gap in the workplace.

5. Employee Wellness

The trend to build a stronger and more resilient workforce that is physically, mentally and spiritually healthy and happy is clearly here to stay. There are several HR trends that have been useful in realizing this. Some of them include monitoring employee health regularly, utilization of technology by establishing easy to use platforms that encourages employee participation in wellness programs, having flexible options for remote employees, and the personalization of goal setting in the workplace to prevent exhaustion.

Employee wellness is one of the hardest task for every HR, especially with employees who are at their mid-life crisis. It is really important that every HR connects to the employees and understand their emotions and what they momental needs are.

6. Using AI to improve the workplace

The conversation on AI and technology has changed over the years. The notion that our jobs are at peril is heard less frequently, and instead, people have started embracing this new technology and exploring how it can increase flexibility and creativity in the workplace. The situation is no different for HR. AI technology has transformed the recruitment process, making it possible to automate the acquisition of talent in a way that would never have been even remotely possible just a few short years ago.

With the advancement of technology, many opportunities for remote working have been generated. A lot of US companies are looking for remote international workforce. In these scenarios, it is best to hire an HR management company in the respective countries. “Your expert in country-specific knowledge to employ a local workforce – become your trusted onsite HR partner.” say experts at New Horizons Global Partners.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to the modern workplace, things change rapidly. Having a good understanding of the various trends will help you be well equipped to handle them, and to better anticipate and plan for the future.