Our favourite HR topics from May to July 2024

As we enter the second half of the year, the business landscape and the role of Human Resources (HR) are undergoing significant shifts. 

Each month, we produce a regular feature highlighting trending HR issues, exploring well-researched themes supported by expert insights. In this article, we delve into 5 favourite HR trends from the past three months.

‍Trend 1: Tips for hiring Gen Z‍

In May, we discussed tips for hiring Generation Z, also known as Zoomers. This generation brings a fresh perspective and resilience, having come of age during the pandemic.

Hiring Zoomers has many benefits, especially given the growing need for AI and tech skills. However, some employers have experienced challenges in recruiting and retaining candidates in this generation. 

According to LinkedIn's recent Future of Recruiting 2024 report, successfully attracting and retaining Gen Z talent is the second most pressing concern for recruiters over the next five years.

Here are some tips that can help you hire Gen Z:

1. Highlight your company values: Many Zoomers are mission-driven and want to work with organisations that align with their values so let candidates know what your company stands for. ‍

2. Provide realistic job previews: By providing a clear and honest job outline, Zoomer candidates can decide early if they’re a good fit, saving time for everyone involved.‍

3. Use social media to attract candidates: With Gen Z spending much time online, showcasing your company's mission, values, and culture will attract talent. ‍

4. Make the application process quick and easy: Gen Z being tech savvy prefers a good candidate experience. ‍

5. Provide benefits that resonate: Gen Z workers feel it's very important for their employers to provide mental wellness benefits. For instance, flexible working hours are widely regarded as one of the most coveted benefits among Generation Z employees. 

You may also be interested in a white paper report published by Workplacer and Student Edge on Australia's top 100 Gen Z employers.

‍Trend 2: Pay transparency ‍

In May, we highlighted the importance of pay transparency. Pay transparency is a leading tool for narrowing the gender pay gap and assisting job seekers in navigating uncertain economic environments. 

At Xref, we’re proud that our gender pay gap is currently 0%. As a global organisation, we seek to champion and nurture every single team member. 

Pay transparency can help build trust within a company. 

The 2023 Future Workforce Study found that 85% of upcoming and recent grads say they’re less likely to apply for a job if the company does not disclose the salary range in the job posting. 

Approaching pay transparency in the workplace requires strong guidance from HR and leadership teams. 

Organisations can prepare for pay transparency by understanding if there are changes to legislation in their country and:

• Getting clear on frameworks for defining different roles and seniority levels
• Outlining how different roles compare in terms of pay and why
• Understanding gender pay gaps and working to address them
• Creating clear career progression plans for employees
• Keeping an eye on changing compliance requirements

Overall, even if your organisation is not impacted by upcoming laws, assessing your preparedness for pay transparency will help you adapt to any future changes that may occur.

Trend 3: Humble leadership ignites employee potential‍

In June, one of our trending HR pieces covered humble leadership. New research from the University of South Australia (UniSA) has found that humble leadership can elevate employees' workplace status by boosting their sense of respect and prominence and strengthening their leadership potential as well.

‍Tips for cultivating humble leadership:

1. Understanding personal strengths and weaknesses: Being aware of your own capabilities and areas for improvement.

2. Undergoing training: Learning the best ways to confirm and acknowledge other people’s strengths.

3. Cultivating openness: Being receptive to the ideas of others.

4. Developing understanding: Gaining a better understanding of the needs of your team.

5. Valuing humility: Working toward an organisational culture that values humility.

In summary, embracing humble leadership can benefit the entire workplace, from leaders to their wider team.

Trend 4: The ‘Right to Disconnect’‍

In July, we highlighted legislation that's being introduced in countries around the world, including France, Canada, the Philippines, and now Australia. The right to disconnect is a proposed workplace right that would allow people to disconnect from work and not engage in work-related communications such as emails or messages during non-work hours.

The laws do not prohibit employers from contacting employees outside of working hours. People can still reach out, message, contact, email, and send communications at any time—it’s about whether the employee is required to respond to that contact or not.

Difficulties may arise in situations where shift workers are often contacted out of hours with requests to work. Employers left waiting for replies may find it difficult to plan workdays, a conundrum facing organisations in certain industries. However, ‘right to disconnect’ laws are ultimately developed to help employees maintain a better work-life balance.

Improving employee wellbeing is an ongoing priority for governments and organisations around the world. Hence, organisations can benefit from understanding the reasons behind the ‘right to disconnect’ laws, even if legislation does not exist in their operating regions.

Trend 5: What causes productivity loss ‍

One of our trending HR pieces in July highlighted the causes of productivity loss. 

Recent studies show poor collaboration and shorter attention spans are reducing productivity at work. A U.S. report by Insightful and Pollfish revealed that 79% of workers said they couldn’t go a full hour without getting distracted from work, and 59% couldn’t go just 30 minutes without encountering a diversion.

Smartphones are an obvious contributor, with 62% of respondents from the same study citing phone notifications as a main source of distraction. 

However, the study found that other employees were the biggest distractors. Over 70% of respondents said people interrupting their work were the biggest contributors to tasks not getting done, a potential symptom of workplace ‘yapping’.

When it comes to avoiding time traps and improving productivity, advice from commentators included:

• Removing recurring meetings from calendars and adding new ones with intention
• Setting meeting-free times during the workday
• Enabling asynchronous communication and removing expectations that employees reply quickly to instant messages
• Getting clearer on priorities from an organisational, departmental, and individual standpoint to help teams and people prioritise their focus

Conclusion

The HR landscape is evolving rapidly, influenced by trends that address hiring practices, pay transparency, leadership styles, work-life balance, and productivity challenges. 

Hiring Generation Z requires aligning company values with their mission-driven mindset. Implementing pay transparency can build trust and close gender pay gaps despite potential challenges. 

Embracing humble leadership can elevate and empower employees across all levels. Understanding the 'right to disconnect' promotes better work-life balance and employee wellbeing. 

Finally, tackling productivity loss by minimising distractions and prioritising tasks can significantly enhance workplace efficiency. 

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading our favourite HR picks from May to July 2024 and found valuable insights to help navigate the evolving HR landscape. Stay tuned for more updates and trends in the coming months!