Six Workplace HR Trends Making An Impact In 2022

• The priorities of HR leaders are key to enabling success for businesses as a whole. 
• Employers are predicted to pay more attention to the health of their employees moving forward, which will only become a bigger part of HR leadership’s responsibilities. 
• Diversity is becoming increasingly important for HR leaders, with DEI strategies taking priority in 2022. 

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When the pandemic began in early 2020, Human Resources leaders found themselves in charge of transitioning workers into remote and hybrid forms of working, as well as having to navigate safety protocols. 

The recent professional changes, such as the impact of The Great Resignation, working from home, and remote recruitment and onboarding, have steered a dramatic shift in the work and management approach. The HR mechanism has, for the most part, tactfully absorbed the changes and protected the corporate environment from many negative effects.  

Clearly, the priorities of HR leaders are key to enabling success for businesses as a whole. 

Here are six HR trends for 2022 that take into account continued pandemic uncertainties, changing demographics, and the empowered workforce. 

1. Employee wellness will have more of a focus  

Well-being is now the employer’s opportunity to support employees in all aspects of their personal and work lives.  

The pandemic revealed that good mental health and upkeeping of one’s wellness is invaluable. No one is immune to stress, especially during uncertain times.  

“Mental wellness programs are especially important now because the workforce is really struggling. Nearly half of the workforce suffers from some type of mental health issue,” said Laura Sage, CEO of Chill Anywhere. 

Businesses are recognizing this and beginning to provide employees with tools for relieving stress, addressing mental illnesses, and preventing burnout. Some companies are offering more flexibility, but they also provide programs.  

Employers are predicted to pay more attention to the health of their employees moving forward, which will only become a bigger part of HR leadership’s responsibilities. 

2. DEI efforts will become essential 

Workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives gain traction every year. 

Recently, the spotlight has been focused upon injustices of all kinds, and society is beginning to recognize the lack of representation in leadership and management. 

Aside from bettering the lives of their workers, companies with diverse leadership are also more profitable and have greater market value than those without it.  

The facts are clear: At companies with a defined DEI strategy, employees are more productive, HR is more effective, and DEI efforts perform better.  

While diversity has been on the minds of HR leaders for some time already, DEI strategies have risen in priority. In 2022, expect DEI to remain at the forefront of recruiting and retention strategies. 

3. Generational differences will become more apparent 

For the first time in history, four generations (Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Gen Z) are in the workforce at the same time. The differences among these generations are apparent, and many HR experts are focused on the generational differences that influence the success of organizations.  

The pandemic has brought out some profound disagreements and shed light onto differences between workers of different age groups, and these generational gaps will continue into 2022. 

HR leaders are going to be working hard to unite all these groups in order to have a cohesive work model.  

However, the new idea of “reverse mentorship” has come about, and is becoming popular. This is a practice in which younger and older employees help each other acquire new concepts, and will be hugely beneficial for the future workforce. 

4. The hybrid work model will persist 

The hybrid work model seems to be beneficial for both employees and employers. This work model lowers employers’ overhead expenses and sometimes reduces relocation costs for new employees. 

This HR trend is projected to continue in the future year. In fact, 79% of the C-suite will allow their employees to split their time between corporate offices and remote working, if their position allows it. 

Perhaps one of the best methods to boost employee satisfaction is to provide as much workplace flexibility as possible. The worldwide trend in which employees can work from home and/or the office will undoubtedly be an HR trend that persists through 2022 and the years to come.  

5. High turnover rates will persist 

Nearly 55% of HR leaders say turnover is higher than it was before the pandemic – and they don’t expect that will change anytime soon, according to MindEdge’s HR in the Age of Workplace Uncertainty survey. 

HR’s hiring woes won’t likely ease up in 2022; almost half of small businesses reported having job openings they can’t fill, according to research from the National Federation of Independent Businesses. 

The need to hire as well as the difficulty in finding new hires will probably increase for most HR professionals this year.  

6. Technology will streamline all aspects of the future of work 

Technology is rapidly evolving, and there is a gap between organizations that are keeping up and those that are not.  

Some organizations are utilizing AI applications to recruit new talent without bias, and to streamline the onboarding process. 

There are also a profound number of jobs available at the moment, as well as a number of job websites to find them on. HR leaders are increasingly utilizing freelance-centric and flexible job sites.  

Aside from utilizing AI and using flexible job sites to source talent, companies that are keeping up with evolving technologies are using seamless payroll applications as well.  

And since working full-time in the office is mostly unheard of at the moment, companies are using online bookkeeping services and invoice generators too.  

Tech applications are being used for nearly every process concerning work life, and this will only persist as remote work continues and as workers keep demanding flexibility. HR leaders who keep up with tech trends have the upper hand at attracting and retaining talent.