5 Employee Relations Trends You Should Know in 2023

Industry Trends

January 10, 2023

5 Employee Relations Trends You Should Know in 2023 - Sodales Solutions

As the conversation around human resource (HR) trends for 2023 becomes louder and more mainstream, human resource professionals are being called upon to lead the charge in embracing technological advancements to create more diverse and productive work environments. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of empowering employees to seek technology and other innovative solutions. As more job-related stress continues to affect day-to-day lives and employee relations, HR professionals are looking for ways to encourage work-life balance that ultimately contributes to better mental health among their employees while striving for organizational goals.

Here are a few predictions for what we might see this year:

1.    Remote work, virtual collaboration, and flexible arrangements

A significant shift in the way that people work is underway with remote work and flexible scheduling becoming more popular. By the end of 2022, it was expected that 25% of all professional jobs in North America will become remote. The pandemic has increased remote work and caused people to become more accustomed to hybrid and remote office environments. This trend will likely continue in 2023. This means that HR professionals will need to develop strategies and tools to support virtual collaboration and remote work. Many employees are also seeking flexible work arrangements. As a result of this shift, companies are looking for ways to improve employee relations without compromising performance or productivity. Remote workers are more productive than those who work in person due to the absence of distractions from the office when working remotely.

2.    Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)

Alex Gorsky, CEO of Johnson & Johnson, has placed diversity and inclusion as a focal point of his company’s competitive advantage, “The best innovations can only come if our people reflect the world’s diversity of individuals, opinions, and approaches.” As DEI has become a top priority for many organizations and is embedded in core business strategies, HR professionals will need to develop and implement strategies to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. As HR professionals are expected to face a variety of challenges to manage DEI across different departments, establishing strong workflows across departments will be imperative to ensure DEI is upheld and promoted in organizations while upholding policies.

3.    Employee engagement, development, and training

Employee engagement continues to be a top priority for many organizations as engaged employees are more productive and more likely to stay with their company. Over the last three years, there has been a rise in the adoption of digital technologies. However, with these new technologies, it’s also emphasized outdated processes. Furthermore, as the economy and job market continue to evolve, there is an emphasis on helping employees develop new skills and knowledge to stay competitive and efficient. Currently, almost 40% of employees are experiencing burnout, which is likely to impact their productivity. By improving processes to manage burnout, HR professionals will have the opportunity to increase employee engagement and retention.

4.    Artificial intelligence and automation

Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are increasingly being used in HR processes, such as recruiting, performance management, and employee relations. In a survey performed by the IEEE Global Study, it is predicted that in 2023, technological changes will be 21% AI and machine learning, 20% cloud computing, and 17% 5G. The study also found that more than half of HR professionals believe that AI will significantly impact their industry in the next five years. HR professionals will need to understand how to effectively use these technologies to improve efficiency and productivity across multiple departments.

5.    Data-driven decision making

The use of data and analytics in the field of human resources is likely to continue to grow. HR professionals may use data to make informed decisions about hiring, employee development, and other labour-related issues. HR professionals can proactively apply this data across multiple departments as companies gather more information about their employees. Utilizing predictive analytics when managing labour relations can help to identify patterns, which in turn will help to better understand their employee needs and help improve overall employee well-being.

Takeaways

Overall, it’s clear that the field of HR will continue to evolve and adapt to changing circumstances in 2023. Whether it’s promoting diversity and inclusion, managing remote teams, using AI and automation, or focusing on employee well-being and skills development, HR professionals will have their work cut out for them. Utilizing Sodales’  all-in-one integrated enterprise health, safety, and employee relations software to streamline manual processes and workflows will aid in enabling knowledge sharing across multiple business processes. Integrating an all-in-one enterprise platform with the right strategies and approaches can help organizations navigate these challenges and emerge stronger than ever.

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