Workplace HR priorities have shifted to employee wellbeing, mental health and diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I), according to a new study.
The turmoil of the past year has uncovered striking changes amongst HR leader’s priorities, revealed the second annual HR Sentiment Survey conducted by Lyra Health, Boston University and Future Workplace; an advisory and membership organisation that prepares HR leaders for the future of work. The study of HR leaders across the US found a shift of priorities since the pandemic started, where employee wellbeing, mental health and DE&I, are now reshaping HR priorities.
As companies adopt new models and paradigms for the hybrid workplace, the focus is shifting from organisational issues to individual human concerns. “As we move to the next normal of a hybrid workplace, focusing on employee wellbeing will be crucial for leaders to create inclusive experiences for all employees regardless of where, when or how they work,” explained Jeanne Meister, Managing Partner of Future Workplace.
TOP FIVE PRIORITIES
This tidal transition is most apparent when comparing the top five strategic priorities between 2020 and 2021, noted the study. Last year, employee experience and leadership were the top priorities for HR, according to the study. This year, however, employee wellbeing/mental health and DE&I are the top priorities, as indicated in the table below.
| 2020 HR Sentiment Survey Top 5 Priorities | 2021 HR Sentiment Survey Top 5 Priorities | |
| 1. Employee Experience | 1. Employee Wellbeing/Mental Health | |
| 2. Leadership Development | 2. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | |
| 3. Learning Transformation | 3. Leadership Development | |
| 4. Next Generation Leaders | 4. Employee Experience | |
| 5. People Analytics | 5. Manage Remote Workers |
“The past year thrust mental health into the spotlight as a universal issue with significant implications for individuals, teams and entire organisations; which is why the conversation has expanded from HR benefits leaders to the boardroom,” commented Dr Joe Grasso, Senior Director of Workforce Mental Health at Lyra Health. “Employers should strategically align their leaders, culture initiatives, management practices and resources to specifically support the mental health and wellbeing of their employees.”
PREPARING FOR THE HYBRID WORKPLACE
A whopping 90% of organisations surveyed have already instituted, or have plans to institute formal training on return-to-office protocols, noted the study. But according to HR leaders, more still needs to be done. The top areas identified as key categories for HR investment include:
- Employee experience (44%)
- Improving existing technology (37%)
- Investing in DE&I (34%)
- Upskilling/next generation leadership (31%)
- Coaching employees (27%)
“The pandemic has marked a massive shift in strategic priorities in the workplace,” added Fred K Foulkes, Faculty Director, Human Resource Policy Institute Professor, Management & Organisations Professor of Organisational Behaviour at the Questrom School of Business at Boston University. “Companies that do not adopt new models and paradigms will struggle to retain top talent and succeed as a business.”
Click here for more information on the 2021 HR Sentiment Survey. Tracking diversity and inclusion progress is one of the biggest challenges that HR is grappling with right now, according to another recent study. Click here to read more.
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