7 HR Trends You Need To Know For 2022

If you’re an HR leader, you’ve had to contend with a lot of uncertainty in the past two years. There’s been a pandemic, a shift to remote working, civil and cultural unrest, not to mention the staff turnover event known as The Great Resignation.

Will this year be a little more stable?

We’ve compiled a guide to the year head for you, called Workplace 2022: The Year Ahead in HR. In this free download, our team of experts talks about the current trends that will shape hiring, engagement, culture and retention over the next twelve months.

You can download the guide here:

7 Essential HR trends for 2022

Meanwhile, let’s take a look at some of the most important trends shaping HR right now:

1. Businesses are ready to grow again – and that’s putting pressure on the market

Coronavirus forced many companies to pause their growth strategy and focus instead on resilience. Now, those companies are ready to return to growth, with 48% saying that they plan to grow their teams in the coming year.

However, this is putting pressure on an already heated recruitment market. Candidates often have multiple offers to choose from, which means that there is intense competition for the best candidates. Around 70% of employers say that they are having trouble recruiting for open positions.

2. Salaries are on the rise – especially graduate salaries

Many employees have not had a raise in two years due to the pandemic. However, starting salaries continued to grow, thanks to the competitive recruitment market.

There’s a lot of demand for graduate-level talent right now, and starting salaries at junior roles are climbing accordingly. Last year’s graduates commanded salaries that were an average of 8.5% higher than graduates of the Class of 2018.

Many organizations were moving towards remote work before the pandemic struck. Shelter-in-place orders accelerated that process, and now it looks like there’s no going back. However, this raises some serious questions about the organizational culture and the future of teamwork.

Only 5% of leaders support the move to a fully remote working schedule. The majority (68%) think that a minimum of three days per week is essential for cohesive team culture. Optimizing your remote work schedule could be vital for your success in the year ahead.

4. DE&I has been set back – and people want action

The pandemic had a devastating effect on diversity, equity and inclusion. Underrepresented groups were hit hardest, with women being 45% more likely to have left the workforce to care for family members.

All of this is happening at a time when employees, candidates, and customers are becoming more aware of diversity. For example, 67% of job seekers say that they’re more likely to take a role at an inclusive employer. Getting DE&I back on track is now a mission-critical priority for 2022.

5. Mental health awareness is a core competency 

The stresses of COVID, as well as the long hours associated with remote working, have pushed many people to their limits. Around 89% of employees say that they have experienced burnout in the past year, with 27% saying they feel burned out all the time.

Leaders need to know how to identify and manage burnout within their teams. This means taking a hands-on approach to employee wellbeing. In 2022, managers will need to understand the role they play in helping team members manage their mental health.

6. Gen Z are keen on training and mentorship opportunities

The oldest members of Generation Z have recently graduated from college, while the youngest are still in high school. As always, this cohort needs training, mentorship, internships, and opportunities to gain hands-on experience.

COVID has denied young people these opportunities, and as a result around two-thirds of them feel that their careers have failed to take off. This group is on the lookout for employers who can offer substantial professional development programs.

7. Staff turnover is still a major concern – which makes retention a priority

The Great Resignation is now becoming The Great Reorganization, as employees shuffle from one role to another. But there’s still a substantial risk of losing your best team members. One Gartner study shows that 91% of HR leaders are worried about the immediate risk of staff turnover.

In a competitive recruitment environment, you’re always going to be at risk of losing your best people. For many HR leaders, the top priority in 2022 will be to create a top-notch employee experience. That way, you might be able to keep your best talent.

What’s your plan for 2022?

For the first time in two years, HR leaders are beginning to feel optimistic. Sure, there are some challenges ahead, but all in all, 2022 seems to be the year that we return to growth.

What are your plans for the coming year? If you’d like to talk to an expert, you can set up a no-obligation consultation call with one of the Helios HR consultants. Let’s talk about your goals for the coming year.

And don’t forget to download the Workplace 2022 guide. Just click on the link below.