7 DEC 2023
HR leaders struggle to keep up with expectations
Recent findings reveal a significant stress burden among HR leaders. Over a fifth (22%) report feeling highly stressed, with 17% struggling to keep pace with rapid workplace changes.
Pete Cooper, Director of People Partners and Analytics at Personio, highlights the expanded role of HR since the pandemic. "HR teams are pivotal in strategic decision-making, especially during the pandemic's onset. Yet, they're often under recognised and overwhelmed with current challenges, impeding their preparation for future ones," Cooper explains.
Compounding the issue are increasing employee demands: higher pay (79%), greater working flexibility (78%), stronger alignment with personal values (77%), and more options for hybrid working (73%). These concerns are top priorities for businesses, but over half (51%) of HR leaders find these demands challenging to meet.
Julia Turney, Partner at Barnett Waddingham, emphasises the importance of C-suite support in addressing these needs. "Today's workforce is vocal about its priorities, and businesses must quickly adapt to these demands," Turney notes. She advocates for a data-driven approach to prioritise effectively and meet employee expectations.
"Employers must leverage data to make informed decisions that benefit both their staff and the organisation. This approach is crucial for HR directors and C-suite executives to manage the increasing demands effectively," Turney adds.
The survey, conducted by Censuswide for Personio between August 25th and September 5th, 2023, included 500 HR decision-makers from the UK and Ireland, representing companies with 10 to 2,000 employees.