Is HR still in crisis?

The COVID-19 pandemic, global recession, talent shortages, and the Great Resignation marked the past two years. Inherently, these threats affect the HR industry and make it hard to find high-quality talents and attract and retain employees.

Recruiters also had to address continuous changes in employment regulations and laws while adapting to predominantly remote work and recruitment. As a result, they had to juggle more responsibilities than before and comply with an increasing number of compliance standards.

That raises a question: Is HR still going through a crisis?

Challenges HR Professionals are Experiencing in 2022

Most companies had to shift to work from home in 2020, requiring an emergency response from recruiters. That caused turmoil in their daily tasks and strategies, adding to an already existing stress due to the pandemic.

Here are the most common challenges recruiters and hiring managers are going through:

1. Talent Shortages

The pandemic accelerated talent shortages, causing the Great Resignation and encouraging people to be more selective about employment opportunities. For instance, 10.4 million jobs were open in the U.S. in mid-2021, yet there were 7.4 million unemployed individuals.

Not only HR professionals have to find the most compatible candidates, but also they have to ensure their posted job descriptions stand out among the competition. Thus, the latest Korn Ferry report found that by 2030, over 85 million jobs could go unfilled because there aren’t enough skilled job applicants to take them.

2. Talent Attraction and Retention

Recruiters are also struggling to attract job seekers. How do they convey the right message efficiently in the post-pandemic era and target relevant talents?

According to a mid-2021 survey, almost three times as many organizations have difficulties attracting candidates, and four as many find it hard to retain employees. Moreover, 70 percent of employers expect to encounter the same challenges throughout 2022.

The most common reasons are an increasing labor demand, a limited supply of job seekers, and higher wage expectations.

3. Handling Telework and Remote Recruitment

Remote work has become the norm, and most job seekers expect their potential employers to offer this option. It’s no surprise that by 2025, 36.2 million Americans will work from home.

HR professionals have found themselves being the glue between leadership and employees, by continuously improving telework tools and policies and helping employees stay productive and engaged. They continue to work hard to ensure seamless communication across departments, teams, and units that depends on tech efficiency and accessibility, sometimes with no seat at the C-suite table.

4. Adopting Relevant Skills for the Future of Work

Forty-two percent of HR leaders will prioritize the Future of Work in 2022. As the pandemic continues having a lasting impact on the world of work, human resources must identify the trends that will be highly relevant to their business and prepare for social, technological, and labor changes.

HR Professionals have the lead role in creating a more agile HR function that aligns with the digital era and ensures a safe environment. That means that recruiters and HR managers have to continue adopting relevant skills that will enable them to identify the best strategies and operational models for the post-COVID era.

5. Identifying and Implementing New Strategies

HR is an ever-evolving industry, continuously requiring new initiatives that address current issues. The COVID-19 pandemic and remote work have brought three strategic areas to the forefront: health and well-being, business agility and change, and adaptive transformation.

Identifying new ways to manage people and improving operational efficiency have been among the most significant challenges HR professionals throughout 2022. Old-school management approaches no longer apply in the continuously changing world. Human Resources leaders need to continue focusing in implementing strategies that empower employees and show them how to lead in a crisis.

How Can Emotional Fitness Help HR Professionals Ease the Transition to Post-Pandemic Era?

Challenging times require well-thought-out procedures, mental endurance, and a positive mindset. According to a 2021 study, positivity is a significant aspect of developing strength-based preventions and interventions necessary for reducing psychological distress and improving happiness.

Although optimism might seem unattainable amidst a pandemic, it’s possible to build mental muscles and find more joy in life and the workplace, despite the circumstances. HR professionals can adopt a powerful psychological operating system and find it easier to identify efficient business models and strategies.

By building the emotional and mental fitness, HR Pro’s won’t only survive difficult moments but also thrive, a crucial thing for the Future of Work.

With life being always In The Worx, we support overwhelmed HR Professionals and business owners become intentional and present leaders, find focus through self-leadership, and successfully improve their employees’ experience and day-to-day work.

What are you waiting for? Click here and find out how you can invest in yourself and learn more about the services In The Worx, Coaching & Consulting offers.