Recruitment is the top concern for HR professionals next year, according to XpertHR’s latest survey.
The survey on HR challenges for 2021, rated how challenging 12 major workplace issues might be in 2021. Over six in 10 (66%) said recruiting and hiring will be either “somewhat” or “very” challenging, followed by workforce planning (59%) and workplace health/safety/security (55%).
WORKFORCE CHANGES
The survey found that roughly one-half (48%) of responding employers expect to increase their workforce next year, further emphasising the importance of recruiting and hiring in the year ahead. Only 10% of organisations predict they will have to eliminate positions, while 30% anticipate no change in staff size, and 12% were not sure.
“After Covid-19 rocked the economy in 2020, employers won’t want to miss out on any potential recovery in 2021, especially if a vaccine is successful in containing the virus,” stated Andrew Hellwege, Surveys Editor, XpertHR. “And recruiting and hiring efforts will be key for attracting talent and ramping up operations.”
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION MEASURES
Additionally, given the widespread social justice protests in the summer of 2020, the survey explored what measures employers are planning for next year, if any, to increase diversity and inclusion at their organisations. Among the nine options provided, communications to the workforce about diversity and inclusion was the top choice (cited by 52% of employers), with employee surveys (45%), unconscious bias training (39%), and analysis of recruiting and hiring practices (39%) rounding out the top four options.
“The message of this year’s protests against systemic racism is clear – that the status quo is unacceptable,” says Hellwege. “Employers should consider assessing their policies to ensure their workplace promotes diversity and inclusion.”
XpertHR’s Survey of HR Challenges for 2021 explores several challenges for HR in the year ahead such as COVID-19, diversity and inclusion, recruiting and hiring, and paid leave.
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