Employee wellbeing and diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) are now considered to be ‘top’ strategic priorities for HR, according to a new study.
The annual report from Paychex Inc, a HR software and services company, revealed that HR leaders overwhelmingly agree that companies have a role to play in supporting the mental health of their employees. Just 4% said they did not see employee mental health as a company responsibility. HR decision-makers also realise the renewed importance of supporting a healthy work-life balance for their employees with 72% reporting they have evaluated and/or adjusted their time off policies in the last 12 months.
Additionally, employers are becoming more flexible regarding where and when work gets done. For example, as a result of the pandemic, 40% say they are providing flexible scheduling as a benefit; and 49% will similarly continue to offer telecommuting and remote work options as a benefit. In fact, offering remote work options is tied with providing financial incentives as the most common way HR leaders are encouraging employee retention, both at 41%.
PRIORITISING DE&I
Prioritising corporate DE&I is also top of mind for HR leaders; with 30% of HR decision makers planning to place more emphasis on DE&I activities this year. Almost half of said they will increase their emphasis on it next year. Those surveyed cite retention, recruitment and civic responsibility as the primary drivers motivating them to increase their DE&I efforts.
Steps that companies are taking to achieve their DE&I initiatives include:
- Providing technology to facilitate responsive and confidential communications on HR-related questions (39%).
- Offering training about bias related issues (38%).
- Creating systems to keep managers and employees connected (38%).
Despite the clear motivation among companies to strengthen DE&I programmes, HR leaders are facing challenges in two key areas: hiring resources to attract diverse candidates (45%) and changing company culture to embrace DE&I initiatives (44%).
“Our research sheds light on what businesses need to do right now to meet the new expectations of a workforce no longer satisfied by the status quo,” stated Alison Stevens, Director of HR Services at Paychex. “Employees today are looking for employers who prioritise employee wellness; offer an inspiring combination of accessible benefits; demonstrate a concerted focus on DE&I; and utilise robust technology to maximise productivity.”
MOST CHALLENGING HR TASKS
Interestingly, 61% of HR leaders highlighted recruiting talent as one their most difficult tasks. Offering competitive benefits and planning and managing DE&I programmes represent the next biggest challenges, both coming in at 57%.
Technology was also cited as an important means for recruiting employees and maintaining an engaged workplace; with 82% of HR leaders saying their HR systems help attract talent and 86% stating that their HR systems improve the employee experience. “
“Technology improved our ability to introduce qualified staff to the company. We really streamlined the interview and onboarding process,” said one a Massachusetts-based HR leader at a 200-person financial services company.
In addition, 89% HR professionals report that their HR systems allow them to be more strategic in their roles; and 80% say they have tools in place to measure workplace productivity and efficiency. Technology remains the top item on the budget wish list among HR leaders for the second year in a row, noted the report.
Click here to access the full report.
Another piece of recent research also found that Workplace HR priorities have shifted to employee wellbeing, mental health and DE&I. Click here to read more.
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