Hey, it’s Nate. Today, we’re talking workplace flexibility. The landscape of Human Resources (HR) has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, and as we step into 2023, it continues to evolve rapidly. Organizations are recognizing that their most valuable assets are their employees. Finally. HR practices are shifting towards creating a more employee-centric and inclusive work environment. Those who are not are being left behind. Here are the HR trends and developments in 2023 that will continue well into the next decade.
Emphasis on Employee Well-being and Mental Health
In 2023, companies are prioritizing their employees’ well-being and mental health like never before. The pandemic’s aftermath heightened awareness of the importance of addressing stress, burnout, and mental health issues in the workplace. HR departments are taking proactive steps to promote work-life balance, offering flexible working arrangements, and investing in wellness programs supporting employees’ physical and emotional well-being.
Forbes Top Ten HR Trends for 2023 reports the number 1 trend is Employee Well-Being. “Workplace stress is on the rise, and companies are creating workplaces to be engines of well-being. Experiencing stress at work impacts the individual worker and the worker’s relationships with friends, family, and co-workers. The recent Surgeon General report on Mental Health and Well-being reports 81% of workers say they will be looking for workplaces that support mental health in the future.”
We need to support our employees with programming and options that address stress. Insurance programs need to expand to include more mental health as IN-NETWORK, and we need to teach people how to use these tools. The more avenues your employees can learn about their stress, the better they can manage it and move past it. They need tools.
Remote and Hybrid Work Models
The global pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote work, and in 2023, it has become a permanent fixture for many organizations. Companies have had to embrace hybrid work models that allow employees to work from the office, remotely, or combine both based on individual preferences and job requirements. This flexibility has improved job satisfaction, increased productivity, and enabled companies to access a worldwide talent pool.
Does it come with challenges? Absolutely, but empowering people to maximize their personal and professional effectiveness produces major downstream benefits. Knowing 98% of employees want work location flexibility, why would you restrict those options?
When you give employees choices and allow them to participate in their outcomes, they will feel their personal empowerment. Empowered employees are engaged employees. Engaged employees want to WIN!
Focus on improving Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)
Diversity, equity, and inclusion as a part of HR strategies aren’t new, but what they need to achieve in 2023 has changed significantly. Recognizing a feeling of belonging and the need to understand that need shows a major directional change.
Bravely articulated this perfectly on their blog, Putting the “B” in your DEIB strategy: Why belonging is essential? , “When someone feels like they don’t ‘belong’ on their team, they might believe they’re hindrances to the team’s goals and business outcomes. If someone doesn’t feel the psychological safety they need to bring up their concerns, they may continue to hang back from the group, feeling disempowered and unable to contribute to the team’s goals. And on and on, the cycle continues.”
Organizations are taking concrete steps to promote diversity at all levels and ensure a fair and inclusive workplace. HR teams are implementing blind recruitment practices, offering unconscious bias training, and establishing employee resource groups to foster a sense of belonging for underrepresented communities. Getting to the heart of your people and how they think, and what they believe will help grow a sense of belonging.
Upskilling and Reskilling Initiatives
The rapid pace of technological advancements has rendered some skills obsolete while creating a demand for new ones. In response, HR departments are actively investing in upskilling and reskilling programs to empower their workforce and maintain a competitive edge. Continuous learning has become a cornerstone of employee development, leading to a more adaptable and agile workforce.
Performance Management and Feedback Culture
Traditional annual performance reviews are fading in popularity, and a more continuous feedback culture is emerging. HR departments are embracing regular check-ins and feedback sessions, enabling employees to understand their progress, strengths, and areas for improvement throughout the year. Companies call it continuous improvement. Makes sense for both the company and the employee.
Why does this help with empowering employees? Having a continuous well structured conversation removes most, if not all, ambiguity about an individual’s performance. With an honest clear process, employees can lean into and understand in real-time how to win and be successful. That is powerful, that produces physiological safety.
Nate’s Last Word
Halfway through 2023, the field of Human Resources has transformed significantly to adapt to the changing needs and expectations of the modern workforce. Companies are recognizing the importance of employee well-being, diversity, and flexibility to drive productivity and innovation.
I consulted on a project to implement a DEIB strategy for a tech start-up of about 100 FTEs. In the past they chose to ignore uncomfortable topics in the workplace. “We are small, we need to focus on business, not everything in the world,” was their strategy. While not technically wrong, it produced an environment where employees did not feel psychologically (corrected spelling) safe. That reduces collaboration, increases distrust and, ultimately impacted their ability to retain their best employees. They made some major changes and saw an immediate improvement in employee engagement.
The point is, you need to listen to your employees. You need to meet them where they are and empower them. The future of HR lies in its ability to continue promoting employee empowerment, building inclusive cultures, and embracing technological advancements to create a sustainable and fulfilling work environment for all, and those of us in Human Resources are even more instrumental in advocating for our people.
