Contention over workplace expectations will complicate recruiting top talent in 2023 according to a new report from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
According to the 2022-2023 SHRM State of the Workplace report, recruiting and retaining employees are among the biggest priorities for HR leaders this year. However, with a recession approaching and inflation lingering, doing so has become increasingly difficult.
For one, the recession and record-high inflation have led more employees to demand higher wages, while companies are simultaneously trying to pull the plug on excessive spending.
This is certainly hampering recruitment tactics, with HR leaders stating that the biggest obstacles in the way of hiring new workers includes:
- Lack of qualified candidates
- Lack of competitive compensation
- Lack of workplace flexibility
Aside from compensation, employees have growth to expect better benefits and flexible work arrangements. Workers are no longer willing to sacrifice their work-life balance and overall wellness for a job. Instead, they want their employers to have policies in place that support both.
“[Earlier] in the pandemic, many employees loudly voiced fears of having to choose between their health and their livelihood, [and] the implication of this year’s findings is that organizations have found ways to protect both employees’ health and livelihoods,” said Mark Smith, director of HR at SHRM and author of the study