Keep an Eye Out for These 2016 HR Trends

The new year of course will bring new human resources challenges and opportunities, some you may be prepared for, others not.  Here are some important workplace and HR trends for you to consider.

ACA/Obamacare

Perhaps the most far-reaching development this new year is the further unfolding of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.  Many employers would probably agree that this law has already had a major affect on employment in general and such changes are likely to continue.

On the positive side for people seeking flexible work, Obamacare is expected to lead more employers to hire free lance workers over full-time employees.  Companies with 100 or more employees will need to provide health insurance options although this does not apply to temporary and free lance workers.  This, like many other HR trends, has already taken hold and is expected to accelerate in 2016.

The Gig Economy

As a result, a “gig economy” is expected to really take off where workers control their own destiny, perhaps working one project at a time or juggling several projects for different organizations.  “Multiple streams of income” has become a way of life and that is expected to increase substantially.  This trend can work well for both employers and workers, both of whom are increasingly setting flexibility as a priority.  So the concept of getting hired for life (even if you don’t stay that long) is going the way of fax machines.

Technology

Technology is an increasingly influential factor in achieving flexibility and is one of the HR trends affecting each and every industry.  Companies that in the past had a percentage of its workforce focused on specific tasks may not need any of those employees as technology rapidly develops.  Once a project with a specific set of knowledge or expertise is accomplished, that organization may no longer need it and may turn its priorities to new objectives.  In the 21^st century, flexibility is the key word.  And what’s good for the employer has to become good for the employee.

Project vs Job

As a result, a person’s mindset of a job will need to continue to evolve into a project outlook.  Since the recession, staff adjustments have become common; downsizing and layoffs are just part of business.  From a positive perspective, this can mean greater variety for workers.  Rather than being stuck in one slot for years and years, workers can (and sometimes must) develop other skills and approaches to work.  Having the ability to create and take advantage of different opportunities will be key.

Hard to find workers

The new year will see an intensifying competition for specific skills, especially those that are technology based.   Advances are happening faster than ever so to be competitive, organizations must have a workforce that stays ahead of the game.  And in response, the pool of workers for these positions will be looking for increasingly flexible benefits.  Where health insurance and pension plans once dominated benefits packages, now flexible scheduling, medical leaves and increased vacation are also sought.  One of the newest HR trends is that creative benefits are becoming key, which can include access to fitness programs, ping pong tables and even energy, juice and coffee bars.

Boomeranging

Companies should also watch and be ready for boomerang employees.  These are workers who left an organization and now are looking to return.  In the past, such a career path was rare.  Today, with jobs no longer viewed as permanent, for a newer generation of workers who don’t expect permanency and may have experienced downsizing, boomeranging isn’t so rare.  These workers are familiar with organizational culture, don’t require as much training yet bring a new perspective.  This is one of the HR trends that crept in a few years ago and is expected to increase in 2016.

Farewell Boomers

A huge shift in the workforce is the retirement of the baby boom generation and the new leadership of Generation X, Y, etc.  These younger leaders prefer regular feedback rather than annual, verbal learning to printed manuals and focus increasingly on empowering others to succeed.  Millennials are transformational leaders while boomers tended to be autocratic, prefer flattened hierarchies and striver to make a societal impact rather than just focusing on money.

And more anticipated priorities and HR trends for 2016:

• Look for office design to contribute to increased collaboration.
• Anticipate more interest in progressive maternity/paternity leave benefits.
• Greater interest and value placed on employee engagement.
• Generational issues.

Information gathered from Forbes, BenefitsPro, SHRM and others.

Ed Weirauch

Resume Writer | Career Transition Coach | Public Relations | Career Assessments