How can HR professionals stay ahead of the curve and adapt to the latest developments in recruitment? Having a perspective on how to prepare for changes is key to success, as explored by ITN Business in “The Future of Work: People, Culture and Technology” — Zoe Smith, ITN Business
Just like the world at large, the world of work is shifting and changing over time, something that has never been more prescient than since the global Covid pandemic.
Business leaders and HR managers now find themselves at the forefront of organizational transformation, with unprecedented challenges and opportunities that require a proactive and strategic approach.
From adapting to the new digital landscape – where artificial intelligence, automation and remote collaboration will increasingly reshape traditional roles – to fostering a culture of continuous learning; To prioritize employees' mental health and work-life balance, there are many ways leaders can create a supportive workplace environment to foster success, centered around the values of diversity, inclusion, equality and a sense of purpose.
In addition to addressing changing technologies and wellness, HR managers must overcome the challenges presented by a remote and hybrid workforce—which play a role in talent acquisition, performance management, and communication strategies. A more geographically dispersed workforce is reevaluating traditional HR practices, with a greater focus on advanced communication tools, strong performance metrics, and positive company culture.
Recruiting and retaining talent is set to become another major challenge for businesses as we move into 2024, with experts predicting that companies will start seeing 50 to 75% higher turnover rates, with workplace frustration and stress rising among employees.
Poor mental health and “burnout” are a major issue in the UK, with one in five people reportedly taking time off work in the past year due to work-related stress and stress. A new report from Mental Health UK has revealed that 9 in 10 adults have experienced high or extreme levels of pressure or stress in the past year, with a third saying they felt uncomfortable expressing their concerns.
Exploring the many challenges and opportunities facing the world of work, ITN Business will showcase how professionals can survive changing trends and adapt to the latest developments in employment in a news-style programme, 'The Future of Work: People, Culture and Technology'.
The digital program will be launched in June 2024 by world-renowned broadcaster and journalist Duncan Golestani, as we seek to further understand the evolving workplace landscape.
ITN Business has partnered with the CIPD, Scale-Up Institute and the Future of Work Institute to produce the program and deliver to audiences reporter-led case study films that explore a range of emerging trends.
From how people policies adapt to innovative technology; How to adapt workplace safety laws; What is needed to build a positive and inclusive company culture; The role development programs can play in setting organizations up for success, and the themes explored in The Future of Work are workplace trends that every leader must navigate.
Main topics of the programme
Embracing technology and artificial intelligence
Automation and technology can support different aspects of HR, finance, payments, performance management and employee engagement. Increasingly, management will adopt AI-powered tools and chatbots to simplify administrative tasks, enhance data analysis capabilities, and provide personalized experiences.
Data-driven decision making will support professionals to gain insights into their employee support, performance, workflow and retention. Predictive analytics and project management tools will also play an important role in planning
Employee well-being
With mental health issues and work-related stress on the rise, employee well-being has become a top priority for organizations and this trend will continue to grow in importance. HR departments will play a critical role in designing and implementing comprehensive well-being programs that address physical, financial, mental and emotional health. From flexible work arrangements, benefits and mental health support to wellness initiatives and work-life balance policies, organizations will continue to strive to create a positive and supportive work environment.
Remote and hybrid work
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of remote work, and the hybrid approach is now here to stay. Our specialists will need to overcome the challenges of managing remote teams, enhancing collaboration and ensuring employee engagement in virtual environments.
Professional learning and development
With the rapid pace of technological advancement, continuous learning will be critical for organizations to remain competitive. Management should promote agile learning methodologies, such as microlearning and personal development plans, to ensure employees have the skills necessary to adapt to evolving job demands. Collaborating with learning technology providers and integrating AI-based technologies will become common practice
Recruitment and retention
Companies face significant challenges in attracting top-tier talent and retaining their existing skilled professionals. As competition intensifies, companies will be forced to re-evaluate and upgrade their recruitment strategies, prioritizing employee engagement, career development, and a supportive workplace culture.
This is the second program in the “Future of Work” series, with last year’s program taking a deep dive into how the pandemic has been a catalyst for change, and the increasing role of artificial intelligence in business. It was supported by a special podcast episode, featuring experts from the Future of Work Institute, Microsoft UK, and London Business School.
The upcoming ITN Business program offers HR leaders unique insights into the changing business landscape, providing opportunities for leading organizations to share their most important businesses and core values, with the opportunity to drive their own news.
It has never been more important for leaders and HR professionals to understand what the future of work might look like. Whether in an SME, a start-up or a multinational corporation, HR professionals are key change makers in any organisation.
Having a perspective on how the workforce and workplaces prepare for the inevitable changes will enable HR leaders and their teams to achieve success.
About ITN Business
Through human-led storytelling, which has been at the heart of ITN's broader capability for decades, ITN Business amplifies the voices of opinion leaders and key organizations for greater impact. Our content shows positive action on the ground, challenges perceptions, builds broader understanding of issues from across the business world, and supports organizations to reach audiences that matter.
ITN Business's new Content Center provides a content and insights destination targeting global business leaders, executives and policy makers, bringing together hundreds of hours of award-winning content.
The future of work: people, culture, and technology There will be a dedicated program page on the hub, showcasing individual films from the programme, alongside partner logos, and the full linear programme. The program will be launched with a comprehensive digital marketing campaign in partnership with The Economist and HR Director.
If your organization would like to share what you stand for and be part of this important conversation, please contact ITN Business Programming Managers, Charlotte Lenman at Charlotte.Lenman@itn.co.uk or James Salver at James.Salver@itn.co.uk.
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