Globalization and technology disruption in every business is threatening to make the current way of working obsolete. For a country like India, who is poised to become fastest growing economy, retaining talent is a crucial aspect. Organizations and employees both have to keep on re-inventing themselves to remain relevant in the current dynamic environment.
If you are an aspiring HR manager pursuing distance MBA, tracking these trends is very crucial for you. This would not only enhance you knowledge but also give you future visibility in terms of what changes to expect in the job environment.
Increase focus on employee development and skilling
Organizations are increasing their focus on employee development and re-skilling. A recent trend is being seen about active participation of top bosses in re-skilling programs, especially on technologies for digital transformations like cloud etc. Top and senior management themselves are undergoing such programs to send a right message across the organization about the need of up skilling on digital technologies.
Companies are adopting different approaches to build digital skills. Some have created new career growth plans and asked even senior employees to select one based on their interest. The trainings are delivered through combination of modes like classroom trainings, video-based training using portals, mobile-based learning, subscribing Massive Open Online Course(MOOCs) etc.
Some companies are going a step further and partnering with academic institutions to deliver leadership programs. Some of them have even added these to their performance management system tracking and started incentivizing the successful completion of these programs.
Build Happy and Healthy Workforce
Organizations have started investing in building a workforce which is happy and engaged. Many studies in the areas of employee engagement have shown that when employee engagement is higher and they are happy, the work done is at the best level of performance. Employees which are aligned with organizational objectives have higher rate of retention and strong sense of ownership.
With the current lifestyle and stress, the percentage of employees which are not in good health condition or fitness is alarming. Employees are encouraged to participate in regular workouts, running marathons, football or cricket matches etc. Along with fit body, healthy mind is also required. Many organizations conduct yoga and meditation programs to work towards healthier mind.
Beyond these, Guidance on financial investments or how to maintain certain lifestyle post-retirement etc. would also get added to the focus of HR. Slowly HR would have to deal with individual employees rather than in groups as everyone has a different needs and expectations.
Gender Equality
Gender equality is one of the most talked about aspect in Indian context. Companies are trying to address this gender neutrality by creating newer policies, sensitizing employees, setting diversity goals etc. Even some companies have inducted batches which were specially created for women. This effort would continue.
Companies has started their efforts for the implementation of Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act. #Metoo like movement has impact on companies to speed this up. Organizations are creating required policies, team structures and framework to deal with any untowardly incidence. The efforts are taken by from creating awareness about the meaning of sexual harassment and about legislation in all the employees through training. This would certainly lead to creation of safer work environment.
Data Insights
We leave in the age of data. Technologies that collect and analyze data are growing at a rapid pace. They give valuable insights by processing the data. However, they would have limitations and cannot run business on their own. For example, you may have all the data in the world, still employees would leave, turn down offers, have issues with bosses etc.
Using the various data insights HR leaders can create various strategies and address people issues related to talent acquisition, employee engagement, employee retention, compensation etc. However, please keep in mind that the technologies are facilitators and humans should be put in the center while making a decision.
HR to become technologists
Fast growing adoption of Automation and Artificial intelligence (AI) is threatening for jobs. Jobs which involve repetitive work which require low cognition will be washed out completely. However, to create and run automated software systems, you need someone who not only understands technology but human resource domain too.
Conventionally HR guys are users of technology. With so much of technology in use, slowly HR team members would also start becoming more and more tech-savvy. More HR experts would develop interest in technologies and they would pursue a new career role called human resource information technology specialist.
What is in there for distance MBA in HR Management
Awareness of such latest trends is a key input for anyone who is pursuing a distance MBA program in Human Resource (HR) Management. While learning your core HR skills, if you keep track of such technologies and master some of them, it will be a huge differentiator for your career progress.
