Human Resources Trends for 2007
Based on executive summary of SHRM Workplace Forecast 2006-2007
As I review SHRM’s executive summary, I reflect on certain trends in human resource management that seem to have a major effect not only on the business world but also on our society. Let me quote from this summary to report the Top Ten Trends in Human Resource Management for 2007:
1. “Increasing health care costs.
2. Greater use of subcontracting (offshoring) of jobs to other countries.
3. Threat of increased medical/health care costs on the economic competitiveness of the United States.
4. Greater demand for reconciling work and family life.
5. Retirement of a large number of “Baby Boomers” (born between 1945 and 1964) at about the same time.
6. New attitudes toward aging and retirement as baby boomers reach retirement age.
7. Increase in the number of individuals and families without health insurance.
8. Increase in identity theft.
9. Work intensification as employers try to increase productivity with fewer employees.
10. Technology vulnerability to attack or disaster.”
This Executive Summary was produced by SHRM for its more than 140,000 members and who compiled this information from many Human Resources sources and surveys. (SHRM is the Society for Human Resource Management.)
The report goes on to detail other top issues that have become commonplace for HR professionals, including: employee retirement benefits, labor shortages, retention of key personnel, economic uncertainties, labor negotiation, cross-cultural understanding, legal liabilities and employee rights, global business practices. , and many other family, work and social trends.
This is stressful for HR professionals, other managers, and your staff. The way I read this report (from my position as a stress management trainer, consultant, and coach) is that the rapid pace of change and the aging of the workforce has created compelling considerations for managing stress in the workplace. Unmanaged stress contributes to negative challenges in health care costs (issues #1, #3, #7), work-life balance (#4), retention (Issues #1, #3, #7), #5, #9, #4, #6) and reduced levels of productivity (#9, #4.) Insecurities and the threat of global pressures are not issues that accentuate the high direction, are concerns of many human resources professionals and many people in our workforce.
While it may be beyond our ability to control major global trends or even changes within our society, we can develop strategies to control how we and our workforce respond to these pressures. We can manage change by leading change in the most positive ways. We can avoid using “denial” as a tool to postpone necessary training that is essential to economic health and increased productivity in business. So let’s get our “heads out of the sand” and move forward by addressing these issues and not just reacting to the consequences of negative situations.
Be a leader and help develop the strategies your organization requires to minimize the stress of these inevitable trends on our people and productivity.
Consider learning more about:
Change Management… Leading Inevitable Changes and Transitions Positively
Stress management for key people, teams and your organization
Creating effective retention strategies
Work Life Balance and Quality of life programs (retention and control of health care costs)
Healthcare cost containment
Wellness as an Important Benefit for Health Care Cost Containment and Retention Strategy
Improve the productivity of your workforce by eliminating distractions
Whether your organization is large or small, these trends will affect you. Whether your business is in: healthcare, finance, manufacturing, transportation, human services, education, technology, government, or retail, you’ll need to address how changes in our world and our society influence your workforce. Although you may feel overwhelmed by these trends, you can save time and money while increasing productivity by helping create strategies that help your managers and staff respond in the most positive way.
Along the way, please take good care of yourself.