Editor’s Note

Welcome to the January issue of HR Strategy & Planning Excellence.

The role of HR has been evolving in the past few decades. And with the current crisis, with organizations shifting their priorities to adapt to the dynamic needs of the workforce, HR’s role has become more crucial than ever.
 

From traditional people practices like compensation and benefits to more modern initiatives like talent development, DE&I, and building a Covid vaccination strategy for employees, HR leaders have had to adapt at every turn.

As restructuring businesses during and after the pandemic will remain to be one of HR’s crucial tasks, check out how the new normal is shaping the future of HR in this issue of HR Strategy & Planning Excellence.

The cover article by Anne Maltese (Director of People Insights, Quantum Workplace), The Role Of HR In An Evolving Workplace, points out top HR priorities that businesses will face this year. According to Anne, HR will continue to face new challenges and continued uncertainty in 2021 and may continue to be redefined.

Recently, we have seen a merger of HR leaders and business decision-makers proactively working together to identify and quickly solve problems around engagement, productivity and overwork within their organization. In the midst of a pandemic, their combined role has grown in importance, particularly around attrition risks and mitigating the negative impacts of remote work. As HR leaders rise to support and improve business outcomes, what is the role of data and what can it do to support better strategies? Read Ben Waber's (President, Humanyze) article, HR’s Big Challenge: Solving The Future Of Work for more insights on this topic.

As we enter 2021, what lasting impact will the crisis have on HR practitioners? What changes will be felt in the world of Human Resources Management?  And what does the ever-increasingly unpredictable future have in store? Learn that and more in Jade Taryn Graham's (Founder, Inspired Talent.co) article, How The Pandemic Is Changing The Role Of HR.

The last 50 years of work have been defined by predictable patterns involving who is doing the work, where it occurs and when it happens. While these standards have been impacted by technological advancements, demographic shifts and emerging social norms, Covid-19 has accelerated the arrival of new ways of working. Marcus Mossberger's (Sr. Director, Global Product and Industry Market Strategy, Infor) article, The Long-Term Impact On The Workplace, discusses the lessons learned from the pandemic.

In brief, HR has and will continue to have a major role in ensuring business success through and beyond the pandemic. From reimagining the organization to addressing well-being and work-life and developing talent strategies, HR's role will be crucial in navigating the post-pandemic evolution of work.

We hope you enjoy reading all the articles in this issue that focus on the evolving role of HR in the new normal and get back to us with your valuable feedback.

Cheers!
 

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