The U.S. workforce experienced historic gains in 2018 as more than two million jobs were added, and wage increases began to accelerate, according to the monthly ADP National Employment Report® and quarterly Workforce Vitality Report. The unemployment rate stood at 3.7 percent in November, a near 50-year low, which made it difficult for companies to bring in both permanent and short-term talent. This trend is expected to continue into the new year as the talent pool continues to shrink.
To stay competitive in today’s marketplace, finding and retaining the right talent is essential. Yet how to do that effectively remains a challenge.
Transformation and Change in the Workplace
Business leaders who actively embrace change recognize that innovation comes from people. As they look toward the future of their business operations, it is this focus on people, that is causing many to prioritize workforce planning and sourcing transformational leaders that can move the company forward. By drawing on the expertise of these change agents, employers will gain new approaches to work and improved company cultures that lead to innovation and increased productivity. These forward-thinking organizations are driving innovation and gaining momentum by changing the nature of work itself. They enable people to come together and work in a focused, collaborative manner to solve problems and come up with creative approaches to their lines of business.
Predictive Analytics
Analytics have the potential to transform the HR function, from recruitment and workforce planning to performance management and employee engagement. Companies are increasingly using predictive analytics to refocus their workforce planning lens from a qualitative one to a quantitative one, enabling them to scientifically unlock and measure the value of people to their organization. This approach views employees as a critical and valuable asset that can be optimized to benefit both individuals and the organization as a whole. It also has the potential to determine which departments and employees are under-performing, allowing managers to create interventions, provide training or move team members around to increase productivity.
According to Deloitte’s 2018 Human Capital Trends Report, although 85 percent of survey respondents acknowledged the importance of people data, only 42 percent indicated that their organizations were ready to implement it fully. It’s believed this will change dramatically in 2019. The rising use of predictive analytics will be one of the biggest recruiting trends to drive productivity and profitability. Collecting early performance data on new hires and matching it against assessments allows for the creation of a feedback loop that automatically updates and continually refines the profile of a successful employee.
Training
Training will be a critical focal point in 2019. In fact, employers noted in a recent study, that it will be one of their top priorities in the new year. In order to keep top performers happy and engaged, leaders must create an environment where people have the ability to grow. Many top performers are also natural learners, with a passion for continuous self-improvement. Successful organizations realize the value of providing the right culture and environment to attract and nurture those passions, and to embrace development and growth. Without that, top talent will look elsewhere for an environment that supports their interest in personal and professional development.
Workforce Agility
As organizations become more agile, they will have a greater reliance on contractors to help bridge the skills gap. Companies across all industries are embracing this trend, with an emphasis on accessing skilled, mission-critical talent. According to Staffing Industry Analysts Workforce Solutions Buyer Survey 2018, respondents report that 22 percent of their staff is currently contingent and project that by 2028 that figure will rise to 30 percent. Factors contributing to this trend include increased turnover and low employee engagement, especially among younger workers. As a result, some businesses are moving away from trying to keep employees around longer and are instead reducing costs associated with turnover and embracing the gig economy. It is particularly prominent in industries that have changing labor demands for different projects – one project, for example, may need 15 people while another may need 150. Employers need to assess the right mix of traditional fulltime workers and contractors to best meet their business objectives.
Blind Hiring
Bias in the workforce remains a big issue. To minimize any controversy, companies are being encouraged to make hiring a blind process. In standard screening and interviewing, unconscious bias easily becomes part of the equation by including data that gives away key parts of a candidate’s background: gender, age, race or even alma mater. By stripping away any information that may reveal demographic data, the first wave of screening can be done based purely on abilities and achievements. This allows for a more diverse workforce built on merit.
The priorities and challenges inherent in these significant trends are clear, and readiness to respond to them is essential. The ongoing tight labor market means that companies will continue to be challenged with finding and retaining the right employees.
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