Human resources as we know it today is evolving rapidly. From an increased use of Artificial Intelligence to a stronger emphasis on employee engagement, human resources will continue to change throughout 2024. As the industry progresses, it’s crucial to prioritize fairness, well-being, and education to be an effective HR professional.
Here are five trends that are on the horizon of the HR industry:
1: Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is evolving as businesses learn to incorporate it into their workplaces. While HR professionals use AI for several purposes, it impacts the hiring process especially.
As humans, it’s nearly impossible to make decisions without being biased. If used correctly, AI can help recruiters make decisions without biases.
“When programmed to ignore information such as a candidate’s name, age or gender on resumes, candidates will be better evaluated based on their skills and qualifications alone without any implicit bias playing a role in their assessment,” said Jeanne Cordisco, the Chief People Officer at O’Reilly.
We can expect HR professionals to use AI to help them screen resumes and focus on the holistic aspect of recruiting this year. It will help companies connect with top talent and foster an inclusive workforce.
2: Employee Engagement & Well-Being
With many companies requiring employees to return to the office, employee engagement has significantly dropped in the past two years. In 2022, about 41% of workers felt engaged with their company. That number is expected to decrease to 34% by 2024.
HR professionals must take action to prevent employees from disengaging at work. After all, a survey conducted by Gallup showed that workers are 21% more productive when engaged.
HR professionals will begin implementing practices that boost employee engagement and well-being throughout the new year. Benefits like wellness resources, nutritional meals, flexible scheduling, and fair compensation can help employees feel more connected to and appreciative of their team.
3: Flexibility
Many companies had to implement remote work schedules during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the pandemic died down, flexible work schedules have not. About 98% of workers desire to work at least partially remotely.
Not only do the majority of employees prefer remote work, as 16% of companies are already fully remote with no physical office. Offering employees flexible schedules can help them achieve their ideal work-life balance, boosting employee retention in the long run.
Companies have already started to adopt increasingly flexible work schedules, which will only increase in 2024. Hybrid work weeks, weekly half-days, and custom hours are some of the many flexible workplace trends employees are eager to gain.
4: Continuous Learning
Learning doesn’t stop once you graduate college and start working a big-boy or big-girl job. Eighty-four percent of employees expect their employers to financially support education that helps them hone their skills and stay on top of industry trends.
Financially supporting an employee’s continuing education is beneficial for everyone. Employees get to improve their workplace skills and are more likely to stay engaged and employed at their current workplace. Without that support, many employees would likely quit, as 76% of workers say they are likelier to stay with a company that offers continuous training than those that don’t.
Companies will likely cover the costs of training and professional development sessions in 2024, as it will incentivize their employees to continue their education. Instead of only paying their tuition, some companies will consider an employee’s educational achievements to give them a promotion or raise.
5: Skills-Based Hiring
Having a degree is the bare minimum in this economy. Over the past year, LinkedIn saw a 21% increase in job postings highlighting skills and responsibilities instead of qualifications. With 76% of employers using skills-based hiring to recruit new talent, candidates must demonstrate their ability to perform all required tasks and grow their skills.
In 2024, companies want to hire candidates with the necessary skills to get the job done. Whether a candidate earns a degree or certification, they should expect to demonstrate their knowledge to employers rather than explaining their qualifications.
Help Drive HR Forward
Our Professional Certificate in Human Resources Management teaches you the necessary skills to attract, engage, and retain top-tier employees. Whether you aspire to enter the industry, climb the corporate ladder, or develop a deeper understanding of employee relations, our online certificate program can help you become a top-tier human resources professional.
The program will teach you how to align your organization’s goals with your department, improve employee satisfaction, implement guidelines, and create a workplace that attracts top talent. You can earn this certificate asynchronously in as little as one year while learning from industry experts and seasoned professionals.
