11 HR Trends for 2024: Elevating Work

Summary

The 2024 HR Trends video, hosted by Neelie Verlinden and Erik van Vulpen, spotlights 11 pivotal trends reshaping the HR landscape. Key themes include realignment of HR priorities to address the productivity paradox, tapping into the hidden workforce, and advancing systemic diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). The video also discusses the evolution of the HR operating model, emphasizing the importance of bundling services, data literacy, and HR's strategic influence. Lastly, it highlights HR's role as a force for good, focusing on AI empowerment, work-life fit, meaningful job design, and shifting from talent acquisition to talent access, all aimed at fostering a more engaged and productive workforce.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The concept of work-life balance is being redefined in 2024, with a shift towards a more flexible and personalized 'work-life fit' approach.
• 📈 HR is focusing on resolving the 'Productivity Paradox' by leveraging data and technologies like generative AI to improve performance and productivity.
• 🌍 There is a push for HR to tap into the 'hidden workforce', which includes underutilized groups such as caregivers and neurodiverse individuals, to address labor shortages.
• 🔄 The DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) approach is evolving towards 'systemic DEIB', where companies will focus on targeted action with measurable impact.
• 🌱 HR's role is expanding to include climate change adaptation, with a focus on minimizing organizational risk and ensuring business continuity amidst environmental shifts.
• 🏢 The traditional HR silos are breaking down to form integrated solution areas, aiming to improve the candidate and employee experience, and reduce attrition.
• 💼 HR professionals are encouraged to 'lean in' and assert their value in driving business results, moving away from being seen as merely administrative.
• 🗣️ HR will increasingly engage in public relations, as employee experiences and company policies become a matter of public discourse and reputation.
• 🤖 Generative AI is set to empower the workforce by enhancing productivity and work quality, with HR playing a key role in its responsible integration.
• 🛑 The trend of 'End of BS Jobs' highlights the need for job redesign to ensure meaningful work, improving job satisfaction and reducing burnout.
• 🔄 There is a strategic shift from talent acquisition to talent access, focusing on internal growth and mobility to meet the demands of a tight labor market and younger generations' expectations.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the 2024 HR Trends video?

The 2024 HR Trends video focuses on 11 trends that will impact the way we work, categorized into three overarching themes: HR realigning priorities, HR operating model changes, and HR as a force for good.

Why is the concept of work-life balance being revisited in 2024?

The concept of work-life balance is being revisited because of the shift towards 'work-life fit', which accommodates different expectations from work and aims to create a renewed relationship with work where it helps people flourish and fulfill their personal ambitions.

What is the 'Productivity Paradox' mentioned in the video?

The 'Productivity Paradox' refers to the situation where despite technological advancements and increased employee engagement interventions, productivity has stagnated. HR is encouraged to step in by formulating strategies to measure and improve performance.

How does HR plan to address the issue of the hidden workforce?

HR plans to address the issue of the hidden workforce by removing obstacles to work and intentionally seeking out this group, which includes caregivers, neurodiverse people, ex-inmates, and others. Policies will include inclusive benefits, flexible working arrangements, and promoting a culture that values diversity.

What is the significance of the shift from 'Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)' to 'Systemic DEIB'?

The shift to 'Systemic DEIB' signifies a more focused and consolidated approach where companies concentrate their DEIB initiatives on issues that the company and its employees care about, backed by proof points, and taking targeted action on these issues.

How is HR adapting to climate change and its impact on business?

HR is adapting to climate change by conducting a climate risk audit, setting up councils on business continuity and disaster recovery, and implementing labor practices that accommodate extreme weather conditions to ensure business continuity and better care for workers.

What does the trend 'From Silos to Solutions' imply for the HR function?

'From Silos to Solutions' implies that traditional HR silos are breaking down into integrated solution areas, such as Strategy, Advisory and Transformation, and Awareness and Attraction. This integration aims to improve the candidate and employee experience and decrease first-year attrition.

What is the essence of the trend 'HR Leans In'?

The essence of 'HR Leans In' is for HR professionals to assert their importance and value to organizational success, becoming clear on the value they provide, standing up for themselves, and investing in their own enablement and empowerment.

How is the employee experience becoming a public good in the context of HR?

The employee experience is becoming a public good as it is increasingly shared and discussed publicly through platforms like LinkedIn and TikTok. HR's role in crafting and communicating policies has become more strategic, with transparent and fair HR policies becoming a strategic asset.

What role does generative AI play in the HR trends for 2024?

Generative AI, such as ChatGPT, is expected to increase productivity, improve work quality, and reduce the performance gap between high and low performers. HR will play a key role in ensuring organizations can safely benefit from generative AI by removing barriers, training employees, and adding safeguards for responsible data and IP use.

What is the concept of 'work-life fit' and how does it differ from 'work-life balance'?

'Work-life fit' is a concept that moves away from the traditional 'work-life balance' by accommodating different individual expectations from work. It focuses on flexibility and fairness, aiming to create a more personalized and fulfilling relationship with work.

What does the trend 'The End of BS Jobs' signify?

The trend 'The End of BS Jobs' signifies a shift towards job design that focuses on meaningful work. It involves improving management quality, removing unnecessary hierarchy, and ensuring that workers see their contribution to the organization's goals.

How is HR shifting from 'Talent Acquisition' to 'Talent Access'?

HR is shifting from 'Talent Acquisition' to 'Talent Access' by rethinking traditional career paths, promoting internal growth and mobility, and better delivering on employee expectations to retain talent in a tight labor market.