Inflation concerns, managing the return to work are taking their toll, says HRD’s global report
From the “great return to work”, to the rising cost of living and ongoing inflation concerns, the past 12 months have been as disruptive as they have been unprecedented.
For Canadian HR leaders, balancing changing employee expectations with C-suite demands has led to a culture of overwork.
Despite this, 2022 was a year of transformation — especially in the HR sector. People leaders are now closely entwined with almost all facets of an organization – something which was continually highlighted in HRD’s recent Global 100 report.
The changing face of HR
Now, as we move into 2023, HR’s focus should be on leading through example – and always heading the forefront of the charge.
“I’ve always had a firm belief that HR leaders need to lead from the front, not from the back,” says Global 100 winner Gena Restivo, vice president of HR at AstraZeneca. “Part of that is thinking of themselves as the true strategic ambassadors for the organization.
“How can we define our value proposition? Why should people join your organization? What is your commitment to them? How will you develop them? How do you support them? How do you compensate them? How do you build these inclusive cultures?
“HR leaders need to tell that story from the front of the room, which is something we need to continue to build on as a sector.”
HR leaders now officially burned out
But being everything to everyone, and wearing all these corporate hats, has led to yet more stress for HR leaders. Data collected from Workvivo found that 98% of HR professionals are burned out – with 78% open to leaving their current role.
In the face of such data, it’s time HR practice what they preach and take some much-needed downtime.
“That overall holistic experience in the five areas of wellbeing applied across the HR sector would be a positive change,” says Patricia Hubbard, senior consultant at Gallup and advisor on our Global 100.
“If we can focus on the career, community, social, physical and financial wellbeing of each person recruited and maintained in the HR sector, it would be a positive shift for the future.”
For HR leaders looking to thrive in the New Year, our report suggests prioritizing employee mental wellbeing, strategic hiring and building meaningful connections in hybrid work – all the while protecting your own psychological health.
Read HRD’s full Global 100 report here.