Primehr is constantly looking to the future to ensure that it constantly updates its practices to provide the best services to the companies and employees they serve.

Over the years a lot has changed in the corporate workplace. Most of the changes invariably have had to do with the Human Resource (HR) function in the organizations. The HR function has evolved over time and the HR trends of today barely resemble anything like those existing in the 1920’s or 30’s. Some of the additional on-the-job perks or fringe benefits on offer these days like paid vacations, housing, company maintained cars and health insurance did not exist before. Not just the trends but the concept of an HR department in organizations itself has gone through the evolutionary process over the years.

In a nutshell, what was relevant yesterday may no longer be practical today. The way things are done and managed in the workplace is changing. This demands a new approach and way of thinking. Not only is there a need to revisit the performance management process but even the reward system in organizations require an overhaul. Those companies wishing to hire and retain the best available talent will have to revamp their HR departments to keep up with the changing trends.

In the future, that will mean embracing agile performance management methods and digital technologies like artificial intelligence as well as cloud and mobile computing. Also the focus will have to be more and more on the ‘employee’ and how best to provide a working environment that would take into account individual needs and career aspirations.

Let us take a look at some of the HR trends we think are ready to take off in the near future that are sure to leave an impact on the HR landscape in the coming times.

• Yes, “Employee experience” is a thing. According to Susan Peters, Senior Vice President, Human Resources at General Electric “We define employee experience simply as seeing the world through the eyes of our employees, staying connected, and being aware of their major milestones.” Every company wants to recruit and retain the best talent in the market. It is now no longer enough to just offer a few attractive perks to employees in order to keep them motivated and refrain them from jumping ship. These days the focus is on what employees want. What are their career aspirations? Are they being imparted proper training? Do they like their job? Is their physical work environment conducive enough? Do they have the proper tools at their disposal to execute tasks? Are they being rewarded right? These are some of the questions Prime HR is now trying to address to make sure the overall  employee experience will be good enough to attract top talent and maximize retention.

• Generation Z comes of age: There is a generational shift afoot that is bound to start shaking things up in organizations. Generation Z has emerged on the workplace scene as the new kid on the block relieving millennial of that tag. The older ones among them have begun to join the workforce adding to the workplace dynamism. These 21-23 year old newbies belong to a new age; an age which does not know what life was like before the internet. They will come with their own set of ideas, skills and worldview. As such, the challenge for the HR function has never been greater and the onus is on HR departments to fashion policies and workplace practices keeping in mind this new crop of young people. Hence Prime HR is making sure that it is aware of the workplace population and their changing attitudes over time.

• Wither conventional performance reviews? Expect 2017 to be the beginning of the end of annual performance appraisals and existing employee reward systems. A lot of companies are in the process of doing away with the practice and replacing it with continuous real-time, growth-oriented feedback. When it comes to employee reward & recognition, the focus will be more on individual needs and wants. Not just that, but reward & recognition programs will also provide feedback to the employee swiftly with no need for a formal performance review meeting. Not all companies have been able to successfully transition to this new way of performance review however. In the last couple of years we have seen organizations fail at it. However, Primehr is making it certain for its clients that an alternative system is on solid footing and that they have a competent change management team in place.

• The HR function itself is changing

As organizations gear up to meet the new challenges facing them today, the HR function finds itself at the cusp of monumental change. HR departments will need to adapt to the changing times and overhaul their existing systems, roles and responsibilities. Some even argue in favor of outsourcing the HR function or to simply do away with it altogether. In between the two possible scenarios there will at least be a shift away from the conventional. With the digitization of HR, roles within the department will become more technical and with that will come new responsibilities for HR personnel. Latest technologies such as artificial intelligence will also impact on employee feedback and recruiting and retaining talent.

• Employee wellness programs are here to stay

Gone are the days when employee wellness failed to make it to the list of compensation & benefits. Over the years organizations have come to realize that a mentally and physically sound employee can be far more productive to them than one who is not. Hence there is a much greater focus now on employee well being and wellness programs catered towards them are no longer considered a luxury by organizations. The wellness programs can include nutrition & health, stress release activities, fitness and social activities.

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