I have been working in Human Resources for many years and like to think about trends that I see. From these trends, I have developed some predictions about the future of the work of human resources.

My predictions center on Millenials in the workplace, length of training sessions, social networking, compensation and benefits reviews, bullying in the workplace, public image and workplace trust and connection.

Millenials Force Positive Changes

Many of my clients struggle with integrating the Millennials into the workplace. Based on a survey I conducted of Millennials and their managers, I predict that Millennials impact the workplace by valuing results over face time, seeking input from many voices in decision making and increasing the use of mentoring and coaching. These changes will increase morale and accelerate leadership development. For human resource professionals, this means we will need to coach leaders on new ways to assess performance, make decisions and grow talent.

Training Becomes Razor Focused

Because we all have limited time and attention, all day training classes will be replaced with short, customized training segments. I am seeing this more and more as my clients ask for shorter training sessions. We need to focus on practical, real life training that gives participants tips and strategies they can use right away. Personally, I love this. It makes me think harder about what to keep and what to delete from my training programs and how to create impact in shorter amounts of time and for human resource professionals, it means the same.

Social Networking Goes Mainstream

Social networking will be widely used to recruit employees and find jobs.  In this past year, I have provided career outplacement training and coaching for many organizations. I have found that I spend much more time this year, than I did even last year, explaining how to create a killer LinkedIn profile. I predict this trend will continue and that means job seekers and recruiters will need to bone up social media tool and increase their social marketing IQ.

Costs Decrease and Retention Increases

Organizations will conduct compensation and benefits reviews to reduce overall health care costs and retain high performers. Much of my consulting work this year has been helping organizations review compensation and benefits plans. As a citizen of the State of New Jersey, I watched the Governor reduce public workers’ pensions and health care benefits in record speed. As a board member of the YWCA Trenton, I helped conduct an internal and external review of their compensation and benefit plans to save money and retain talent.

Bullies, Bullies Everywhere

Information about bullying in the workplace will be included in training on workplace harassment. Several years ago, two employees in Texas were awarded $250,000 in damages after a supervisor continually yelled at them, put his head down and “charged at them like a bull,” and made an employee wear a sign that said “I quit.” Because of cases like this, I include information about bullying in the sexual and workplace harassment courses I teach and predict this will be the norm for many organizations.

Clean and Green Is the Goal

Because news today can travel instantaneously, there will be increased pressure to reduce risk and maintain a good public image. Many companies are developing social media policies to control what employees say about them. Companies are also proactively building their images by contributing to charitable organizations and instituting “green” technologies. The added bonus? This attracts Millennial workers who want to work for organizations that help the world and the environment.  

Trust Goes Center Stage

Downsizing has caused leaders to need to work to instill trust and connection with their employees. But many companies don’t know how to do this which will create a strategic opportunity for human resource professionals.

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What trends have you noticed? What do you think will be the work of human resources in the near future? Do you agree with my predictions? What are your predictions?

I would love to hear your thoughts. Comment and let me know.

Photo credit iStockphoto

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