Workplace safety replaces talent acquisition as ‘top’ CEO priority

Ensuring a safe work environment has replaced talent acquisition as the ‘top priority’ for business leaders in 2021, according to a new study.

Shifting priorities due to Covid-19 has knocked talent acquisition from the top of the CEO list; a spot it has held for the past two years, according to Paychex company Oasis. Employee safety and wellbeing is now the top CEO priority for the year ahead, confirmed the Priorities for Business Leaders annual survey findings. 

The research revealed that work-related stress levels are higher than before the Covid-19 pandemic, with 21% of business leaders feeling “much more stressed.” Furthermore, 54% of business leaders say that they are more aware of their employees’ stress level than before Covid-19. 

ENSURING SAFETY AT WORK

When asked which human resource issues will become more challenging over the next 12 months compared to the past year, ensuring a safe workplace in light of Covid-19 topped the list for 36% of leaders; followed by offering competitive compensation and benefits, including employee assistance programmes for 31%. 

Developing employees and future leaders for succession was a challenge for 29%, followed by attracting strong, competent management and dedicated, capable staff (28%) and maintaining ongoing regulatory compliance (28%).

Keeping employees engaged and productive is a higher priority now than it was at the start of 2020 for 16% of leaders. Around 36% want to make employee benefits easier to access and more affordable; and 33% want to improve the overall benefits that they offer in order to remain competitive when recruiting and retaining top talent. 

Looking at how employers communicate, 66% of business leaders said they use videoconferencing more now than prior to the pandemic; and 39% believe they will continue to use it with their customers and employees after the pandemic. 

EMPLOYEE WELLBEING FOCUS

Commenting on the survey results, Teresa Carroll, President of Oasis, stated:  “2021 will be challenging as businesses navigate safely bringing employees back to work and adjust to the long-term impact of the pandemic. No matter the industry they serve, all businesses have had to adapt to new regulations and local and state mandates as the pandemic evolves. 

“Likewise, whether employees have faced cutbacks or mental health challenges brought on by the pandemic, all workers have been impacted. In turn, this has brought workforce management and overall physical, financial, mental, and social employee wellness front and centre among business leaders’ list of priorities. As we see businesses recover from the pandemic and get back to work, Oasis is prepared to support clients through the unchartered territory that lies ahead.”

Click here to download the White Paper.

This survey confirms that leaders too are suffering from burnout, which is creating a retention problem at senior levels, as reported.