HR

state

of the

HR profession

in

2024

2024

HR’s importance may have become more obvious to the C-suite, but this doesn’t mean the day job has got any easier. The competition for skilled candidates has intensified, and so too has employees’ expectations of employers. Employees want to develop and progress through the business. If they don't, they’ll quickly look for new opportunities outside an organisation.  

 

All eyes then turn to HR to engage, motivate and retain employees. It’s no easy feat, and for HR to keep ahead, it needs to know where its greatest opportunities and challenges lie.

In Autumn 2023, HR magazine asked its readers about their people growth experience. 

What came back was a comprehensive outlook on the state of the HR profession its challenges, opportunities and how people leaders are adapting to an ever-changing world of work.

Talent

Mobility

Workforce retention continues to be a problem for HR, and business leaders are refocussing on how they can promote and develop talent from within. 

Internal job boards are the most popular way HR encourages internal moves within their organisation, but only half (57%) are using them. Most organisations also do not have a policy where an employee needs to speak to their manager before exploring a new role.  

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Technology

advancements

Despite skills shortages in many industries, some employers lack the technology or digital know-how to use skills mapping. Skills mapping, usually through AI, can help employers recruit efficiently, fully utilise talent and shape training and development processes. 

We found 60% don’t have the ability to skills map, but some (7%) said they do have the ability but aren’t using it proactively enough. 

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Learn more about DEI
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Case study

Does it work?

By Caroline Butler, assistant director, BCH

However, what it does not do on its own is change behaviour and remove barriers. The next stage for us has been to host ‘valuing difference’ workshops for supervisors.

Case study: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Police (BCH)

By Caroline Butler, assistant director, BCH 

As a tri-force HR team looking after three different police forces, we are working to keep safe three counties with very diverse populations and likewise be inclusive for the people working with us. 

Case study: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Police (BCH)

I don't think unconscious bias training works for two reasons. Not all bias is unconscious,

Shakil Butt, founder, HR Hero for Hire

In my experience, the online (self-assessment) training is ineffective and a waste of time. Too many tick boxes, easy to bypass any discomfort and forgettable. As for the in-person, same space activity 

Rob Neil, director, Krystal Alliance

Employers should define what direction the role could take a candidate and what the opportunities for progression are.

Some organisations also offer candidates the opportunity to study for certain qualifications which will enhance their degrees. This is attractive as it allows an employee to build their experience on the job as well as develop their career.

Transferrable skills are a selling point to candidates, particularly those at the start of their career who are not yet sure exactly what their end goal is.

Skills matrix and competency frameworks.

HR working more closely with L&D teams to ensure everyone is aware of opportunities.

Employees understanding their skills and skills gaps and being able to market themselves.

Line managers encouraging internal talent mobility conversations more often. 

Fiona McKee,
founder, HR Practice 

He said: “At Lore Group, we are leveraging AI in our new HRIS system which we implemented last year to assist our people teams and free up time by reducing as many administration tasks as possible.   

“The use of AI, and how we can further utilise this for the longer-term benefit of the organisation, is also a part of our group people strategy for 2024 as we continue to seek how we can continue to leverage AI in a responsible way.” 

Ian Moore, 
director, Lodge Court
 

Ruth Cornish,
founder and director, Amelore 

Simon Jones, 
director, Ariadne Associates

Liz Sebag Montefiore,
director, 10Eighty

Jenny Winstanley, 
head of HR consultancy, AfterAthena

Our survey respondents suggested a range of ways HR could increase talent mobility in the year ahead

These included: 

62%

UK firms come rock bottom, according to employees, in terms of demonstrating equitable treatment of people from all backgrounds.