As a human resources leader, “people problems” will always be part of the job. This is because your role inherently involves managing complex (and often conflicting) needs, behaviors, and interactions. Though this can certainly be challenging, it is possible to do it well, especially if you’ve got a strategy before a problem even arises.
While that might sound impossible, we’ve got you covered. Here are five people problems all HR professionals are likely to face, and a few tips for how you can prepare for success.
1. Talent Acquisition and Retention
Data from Gallup shows that more than half (51%) of employees are actively looking for new jobs. Finding talent in this market is difficult, but getting people to stay is even harder.
Even if these challenges haven’t hit your organization just yet, you can prepare for increased competition for top talent by streamlining your recruitment processes and developing your talent pipeline through strategies such as networking, internship programs, and training for current employees.
Evaluate hiring processes to ensure candidates are highly qualified and a good cultural fit. Offer competitive pay and benefits, and invest in your employees through career pathing and recognition programs to ensure they feel valued and see a future in your organization.
2. Compliance and Regulatory Complexity
In today’s business landscape, labor laws and regulations are evolving at breakneck speed. From new rules regarding pay transparency and artificial intelligence to recent restrictions on non-compete agreements and requirements for workplace violence prevention, there’s a lot for HR professionals to be aware of.
To prepare, it’s a good idea to use technology to stay current on regulatory changes and consult HR experts and lawyers on how upcoming changes may apply specifically to your organization.
Make sure that your department is conducting regular audits to identify compliance gaps and making updates to the employee handbook when policies change. Finally, use updated HR technology to automate compliance tasks to reduce administrative burden and reduce errors.
3. Hybrid and Remote Work Management
Despite many recent calls to return to the office, many people are still working remotely or only coming into the office for a portion of their workweeks. In fact, Gallup data indicates that 52% of people with remote-capable jobs are hybrid workers, which means they’re working elsewhere for a significant amount of time.
Whether you need to hire remote employees or you want to switch up your workplace strategy to allow for remote work, it’s crucial to have clear policies in place that detail your expectations for performance, communication, and data security. You may also need to consider retooling your performance management system to focus more on outcomes than work hours and train employees on collaborative technology.
4. Cultural Alignment and Maintenance
A strong organizational culture increases employee engagement, customer acquisition, and company profits. Yet, only 20% of employees feel connected to their company culture. Make sure you’ve defined and are consistently communicating your company’s mission, vision, and values.
It’s also important to ensure leadership is bought into the company’s culture and is well-trained to reinforce your values in every interaction. Don’t forget to reward employees who display behavior consistent with your cultural values. Proactively address those that don’t align so that employees understand the importance of the company’s values.
5. Employee Well-Being and Engagement
Many of today’s employees are becoming increasingly unhappy at work. Unfortunately, this can negatively impact employees’ well-being, performance, and productivity, which can be a detriment to the organization.
To combat this, it’s a good idea to keep a pulse on employee sentiment by conducting regular surveys that measure engagement levels. Create open channels for regular feedback, and do what you can to provide resources to support employee mental health, such as employee assistance programs or mindfulness workshops.
Most importantly, build a positive culture where employees feel recognized, valued, and respected for who they are.
Get Help With Overcoming Your Organization’s People Problems
Every organization will face challenges with its employees at some point in the growth process. How you handle these issues will determine whether your company reaches its strategic goals and stays competitive as markets shift.
Fortunately, our experts at AssetHR can help your team face employee challenges head-on. From on-demand compliance support to building a solid talent pipeline, we have the knowledge, tools, and strategies to support your organization in every phase. Contact us today to learn more about our solutions to enhance and equip your HR function for next-level growth.