HR: overworked and under-prepared?

A new survey has identified critical areas of concern which HR professionals say are difficult to address thanks to an ever-increasing workload.

A new survey had identified the factors HR professionals deem “critical” to a company’s success but it seems some elements are being neglected thanks to an ever-increasing workload – is outsourcing the solution?

The study, conducted by Environics Research for ADP Canada, revealed that HR professionals are highly concerned with their organizations’ ability to adapt quickly to the changing needs of the workforce.

So what does that mean? ADP’s Virginia Brailey says HR professionals are aware of the problem but don’t always have the time to tackle it.

“There are five generations in the workplace,” she told HRM. “Baby boomers are reaching retiring and millennials are coming in but not staying for life – we’re all aware of these things but we need to be ready to adapt,” she explained.

In the survey, fewer than four in ten (38 per cent) HR professionals strongly agreed that their company is well-equipped to adapt quickly to these changing needs.

“We’re working in a different environment,” she continued, “nowadays, employees want more than just a paycheque.” Many HR professionals identified “culture and employee retention” or “leadership development” as the most critical factors to success.

So if meeting the needs of a fluctuating workforce is the main goal, what obstacles are standing in HR’s way? According to the survey? – Time.

Ninety per cent of respondents agreed that HR professionals are faced with an increasing workload – Brailey insists outsourcing is the solution.

“The main benefit for HR leaders and professionals is that it really enables them to ensure they’re following best practices,” Brailey explains. “They can rely on experts to help them with that and don’t have to spent time integrating different systems.”

Basically, it leaves leaders free to tackle the most important stuff.

“It frees up time for HR professionals to focus on being effective strategic leaders,” Brailey told HRM. “They need 21st century tools to be able to help with the transformative tasks.”

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