5 Trending HR Topics for October 2021

COVID-19 has turned out to be one of the greatest accelerators for workplace transformation. And then, there are other trends beyond our control that have changed the rules of recruiting, hiring, and creating workplace strategies. Such changes require organisations to adapt and embrace new practices. This blog looks at HR trends that will continue to drive transformation and new movements that will shape the future of work.

#1 Workforce management: Can employers refuse to employ unvaccinated people?

The requirement for COVID-19 vaccination in the workplace is a new and emerging challenge for HR and leadership teams to tackle. The question all businesses are asking is if a company can refuse to employ staff who choose not to receive the vaccination. For HR teams in Australia, the answer is not a simple yes or no. In this blog, the Fair Work Ombudsman has divided work into 4 broad tiers and gives reasonable direction on what employers should be doing if their staff fall under either of these categories. If you’re curious to know more about COVID-19 vaccination in the workplace, you don’t want to miss this.

#2 People & Culture: 8 negative micro-behaviours that could be ticking time bombs

Negative micro-behaviour of employees, such as interrupting or cutting off team members when they are speaking or not completing work on time, can be red flags that you shouldn’t ignore. Such negative behaviour can slowly erode your workplace culture.  Many of these behaviours can be observed in meetings or collaborative work projects – situations where power and group dynamics are at play. Dr David Hall talks about eight negative interpersonal micro-behaviours that should not be left unchecked by HR as they have adverse impacts on the workplace. 

#3 Employee engagement: How to develop the soft skills needed to lead a hybrid work team

Pre-pandemic work culture was built on in-person interactions, for most of us, that isn’t the case anymore. Effective relationships in the workplaces now are heavily reliant on virtual interactions. With remote and hybrid work here to stay, fostering ongoing well-being and employee engagement requires a boost to soft skills. If you feel you’re in the same shoes, here is a blog that talks about the need for soft skills in the new workplace and tips to enhance your emotional intelligence (EQ) for remote and hybrid work. 

#4 Talent Acquisition: Discover how Gen Z build relationships and finds jobs

While previous generations believed in networking to establish their careers, a new study suggests the inverse to be true today. Gen Z has more information at its fingertips than ever before;  college students and recent alumni don’t need to have preexisting connections to get a foot in the door. Research suggests that nearly 7 in 10 job seekers believe that they do not need to meet in person to forge a meaningful professional connection. Read this resource to know how Gen Z plans to navigate their way through a tight tech-heavy job market. 

#5 Workforce strategy: How to support and retain employees who want to work remotely overseas

The leading motivator for employees to work overseas is the chance to travel. In a recent survey, the number of employees considering seeking work overseas in every market is astounding. 42% of Australians, 48% of New Zealanders, 50% of Brits, 55% of Singaporeans and 72% of Malaysians are considering or would consider making the jump to overseas employment. Managing a global workforce may seem like a challenge but it’s important for companies to be flexible and have innovative employment models. Here’s a blog by Employment Hero on how some companies are embracing remote work and tips on how you could do it too! 

Trending on Xref: 

1. The Challenges for Staffing and Recruitment Teams in 2021
2. The Importance of Exit Interviews‍
3. Exiting Employees: Essential Steps for a Smooth Transition

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In case you missed our blog last month, 5 Trending HR Topics for September 2021