Global HR trends every HR professional should know

Let’s face it — the pandemic forever changed our approach to work. HR professionals had to pivot and adapt overnight, learning how to manage and engage remote workforces and even redefining what “the workplace” means.

Several years later, the modern employee has new expectations. Employees want more work flexibility, comprehensive benefits, and an inclusive, supportive company culture. As an HR professional, it’s your duty to listen, understand, and act upon these evolving needs. 

This article covers the top global HR trends so you can stay competitive in today's ever-changing market. Being on top of these trends will also empower you to implement forward-thinking strategies into your own HR practices.

Why you need to understand global HR trends

Here’s why your business should stay on top of global trends:

To stay ahead of the competition

Companies with a thorough understanding of global HR trends are more equipped to navigate the evolving market and strategically implement new initiatives. You will be better prepared to adapt to new situations before your competitors do.

To meet global hiring needs effectively

Talent knows no boundaries. 

To truly leverage the global talent pool, HR professionals need to breathe and live global trends. By doing so, companies can improve their employee retention and offer competitive packages that meet local expectations. Regardless of where top talent is, you’ll know how to attract and keep them to create a diverse and highly skilled workforce.

To adapt to changing employee expectations

Don’t lose employees because you’re not ready to change. Familiarizing yourself with key trends helps you anticipate and adapt to employees’ changing needs. You can proactively meet the needs of your current team members, and also attract and retain new talent.

7 global HR trends to pay attention today 

The HR landscape is witnessing significant changes. Let’s take a look at the top seven global HR trends that will continue shaping the years ahead:

1. Improving employee experience is a priority 

Employees want more than a handsome salary or good benefits. In fact, 41% of employees want to see a change in their company’s engagement or culture. 

Team members want a fulfilling, empowering work environment where they feel valued, heard, and like they belong. Your employees are looking for growth opportunities, along with the tools and technology that empower them to be effective in their roles.

You'll need to reflect these expectations in your recruiting strategies as an HR professional. Otherwise, your company risks losing talent to more attuned employers.

Remote’s tip: Start improving your employee experience by revamping your onboarding program. Painless, efficient, and consistent onboarding sets new employees up for success and builds trust from day one. 

Remote onboards your global team with just a few clicks. We also offer centralized employee management, simplifying your internal workflow while providing a consistent experience for your employees.

2. Global recruitment continues to surge 

More and more companies are realizing that the world is their talent pool. From 2022 to 2028, the global recruitment market size expects to expand by more than 7% to a USD 213 billion market. The enormous demand for international hiring is not slowing down any time soon.

Companies are also aware that top talent is hard to keep. With an expected global talent shortage of 85 million people by 2030, many companies are casting a wider net for top team members. Businesses are already recruiting beyond their local or national borders to find skilled workers who fit their needs. 

Thanks to advances in technology, geographical barriers no longer confine work. Professionals can collaborate across time zones, creating a diverse work environment that isn’t limited by borders. 

However, expanding globally comes with its own set of challenges that HR professionals must be aware of. Companies need to understand and comply with different labor laws and tax regulations to ensure they are hiring compliantly. 

Remote’s tip: It’s imperative for companies hiring global talent to be well-versed in local rules and regulations. An employer of record (EOR) partner like Remote can help you hire global talent without the complexities and headaches. Easily recruit, manage, and pay international workers in different countries. 

3. Employee upskilling is center-focus

Employees are an asset. Upskilling is now a core business strategy around the world, as companies realize global talent shortage. Businesses are looking inward, focusing on nurturing their existing talent pool. This is because upskilling is more cost-efficient and practical than searching for external talent. 

An impressive 81% of in-house recruiting experts foresee a deeper collaboration with learning and development teams in the near future. Businesses are investing heavily in initiatives that prepare internal talent for new roles, identify skills gaps, and ensure their company is a place where people can grow.

Between April 2021 and April 2022, 41% of employees cited a lack of career development and advancement opportunities as the number-one reason for leaving previous jobs. So, offering upskilling opportunities is a major attraction strategy, as it both fulfills the needs of current employees and appeals to potential talent.  

Remote’s tip: Use data analytics to pinpoint skill gaps in your team. You’ll learn the exact areas where your team may be lacking in skills or knowledge. Once you’ve identified areas for improvement, train your employees to develop the required skills for the future. Your company can proactively handle changes and come out on top by supporting your employees through a talent development program.

4. Diversity, equity, and inclusion is important

Businesses are gearing up to increase their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. This shift is in line with the demands of the modern workforce, as 74% of job seekers say diversity in the workplace is important. 

Creating a diverse global team can be hard. In fact, 36% of hiring managers find it difficult to blend different work cultures into a cohesive team. 

It’s important to think of these challenges not as deterrents but opportunities for growth. When managed effectively, diverse teams can bring fresh perspectives and drive innovation.

Remote’s tip: A good place to start improving your DEI initiatives is to integrate diversity training into your ongoing training modules. This sends the message that inclusivity and diversity are an integral part of your company culture. 

Go a step further and incorporate diversity into your daily operations. Get inspired with Remote’s 10 inclusive workplace practices for remote teams to cultivate a truly inclusive work culture.

5. Hybrid and remote work are the new normal 

Hybrid and remote work models are here to stay. Companies and employees alike are changing their priorities to drive this change.

According to Remote’s 2022 Remote Tech Talent Report, 57% of workers believe that work flexibility is more important than pay. Not only that, flexible and remote work are two of the five things 29% of employees look for in a new role. 

This signals a fundamental shift in work culture: money is not everything. Modern workers consider work-life balance and flexible working hours as priorities. Companies that are slow to accommodate this demand are potentially missing out on top candidates. 

Transitioning to and maintaining a remote work model can be difficult, but new technology bridges communication and collaboration gaps. Providing technology training for employees is also essential to creating an efficient remote workforce. 

Remote’s tip: Invest in digital collaboration tools or project management software that can work seamlessly across different time zones. These tools will serve as the backbone of your high-functioning remote team, as they enable your team to collaborate, communicate, share resources, and stay in sync.

Companies that promote a healthy work-life balance, accommodate shifting work patterns, and incorporate new technologies attract top talent. Regularly revisiting and updating your company policies will help you keep the top performers you need to succeed.

6. Employee mental health and wellness can’t wait

One in four employees experience burnout while struggling with workload pressure, maintaining a work-life balance, or even interpersonal office dynamics.

Employees with poor mental health leads to reduced productivity, higher turnover rates, and a toxic work culture. A perpetually stressed workforce can undermine team cohesion and impact the company’s overall morale. This is why employers should take immediate action when they see their employees struggle with mental health issues. 

Remote’s tip: Take advantage of Remote’s mental health resource pack to support your remote team’s well-being. This pack provides tips for avoiding employee burnout and meditation exercises to help your team relax and recharge.

Tackling these issues head-on and implementing changes shows your team that you value their well-being. Showing that you care for your team members leads to increased employee engagement, satisfaction, and overall productivity.

7. Embrace AI or fall behind

Artificial intelligence (AI) especially gained momentum in the HR landscape. Most HR leaders already use some sort of AI in their daily practices. 92% of HR professionals even plan on working more with AI. This trend will only grow stronger as AI proves its value in transforming HR.

Using AI in HR doesn’t come as a surprise. AI significantly enhances HR’s effectiveness and efficiency by automating routine tasks. As a result, HR professionals have more time to focus on more strategic, human-centric tasks, such as employee development. 

Remote’s tip: Adopting new technology can be scary. Start small by automating a single HR function with AI, like initial candidate screening, and monitor its effectiveness over time. 

This incremental approach allows you to carefully select the HR processes in your company that would benefit most from AI assistance. You’ll also identify and troubleshoot any issues during the initial integration before scaling up.

Future-proof your HR strategies with Remote

The dynamics of HR are forever evolving. From prioritizing employee experience to embracing AI, these trends are reshaping how HR professionals operate.

Remote understands the importance of staying ahead of the curve. Our commitment is to help companies develop and refine HR strategies that stay ahead of the changing demands of the workforce. 

By partnering with Remote, you gain access to a wealth of resources and expertise that empowers your HR department. Remote’s Recruiting Internationally: Tech Talent Report offers a comprehensive and practical guidance on hiring and managing global tech talent. 

Access the report to stay competitive and future-proof your HR strategies. 

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