The past year has brought many challenges for HR but it has also enabled those leading the professional to demonstrate further the value they can bring to organisations, not just being there in times of crisis, but securing new value for their employers as well.
At this month’s Review of the Year webinar, Alison Richardson, Director of HR Operations – Yodel, Dr Duncan Brown, Principal Associate – Institute for Employment Studies and Craig McCoy, Senior Interim HR professional & Chair of London HR Connection gave their view on the past 12 months and what would be important in 2024.
Recruitment and retention figured highly in the panel’s thoughts. While both Richardson and McCoy’s sectors (delivery services and healthcare homes) have significant challenges here, they both reported a level of innovation and determination to bring in candidates from less obvious areas of the talent pool, as well as offering benefits that are truly valued by their people.
Migration and new employment legislation also offers a challenge for HR but so too does the prospect of as general election this year and possible change of government. In such an environment the panellists felt that while the world of work may not be in the throes of a global pandemic, it was still important for HR to be certain in what it was aiming to do but flexible in its approach.
Next year will undoubtedly continue to produce challenges in terms of ED&I, technology/AI and industrial relations and HR professionals will do well to take time to prepare for these, but most important will be to use the break to relax and celebrate a good year for the profession and be ready to tackle 2024.
