Editor’s Note

Organizations today are dealing with an unprecedented crisis and HR is at the frontline, closing the gaps for the smooth continuity of their businesses. Virtually overnight, HR has moved from a focus on recruiting and retaining scarce talent in a tight labor market to coping with massive layoffs, furloughs, budget constraints, remote work, and historic levels of employee anxiety. Seldom has HR’s job been more challenging or more critical. The real question is whether HR is up to the task. Will HR departments take advantage of this change to establish a new level of strategic importance or will they struggle?

To help HR professionals better understand what it will take to deal with challenges in the next several years, HR.com’s HR Research Institute conducted an extensive study of HR professionals and wrote a full report, The Future of the HR Function 2020. To learn more about the survey and for the 7 key takeaways from this exclusive research, please read the complete report in this issue.    

HR in partnership with business leaders needs to prepare for tomorrow's workforce where they face twin challenges of producing growth and preparing for the new, often unknown opportunities the future will bring. They must answer a more profound question: How can we deliver exceptional performance by developing our people to thrive in this highly disruptive and digital workplace? To learn more on this topic, read Sattar Bawany’s insightful article, The Future Role Of HR In The Aftermath Of COVID-19 Crisis

Dave Ulrich’s article, How Effective Is HR In Your Organization? talks about the evolution of HR in four waves. He talks about why HR departments are no longer just about coordinating HR resources to improve talent, but also about helping the business win in the marketplace though talent, leadership, and organization.  

Many companies are moving out of the first phase of crisis – managing and responding to COVID-19 – and into phase two: trying to define and transition to a new normal. Business have made and will continue to face tough decisions. Read Kyla Holcombe’s article, HR Leaders Anticipate Greatest Talent Challenges To Come, to know what HR leaders expect will be the greatest talent management challenges in the coming months.

As we come to terms with this new reality, there is a constant sense of lingering uncertainty that remains. When we return to work, will things go back to normal or, will we need to create a new normal? Read Robert van der Gulik’s article, Going Back To A Post-Pandemic Workforce, for more insights.

Apart from these articles, we also have a few other informative articles in this edition that focus on the present and future of the HR function. We hope you enjoy reading all the articles and look forward to receiving your feedback.

Stay Safe!
 

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