HR is shaping the new future
Today is International HR Day. As the world witnessed in 2020, the HR practice is evolving even amid the pressures of the pandemic, and ushering in a new era of employee-centric work culture. For this reason, organisers of the global celebration have chosen the theme ‘HR shaping the new future’.
“International HR Day is your opportunity to join your profession in an international recognition of all the hardworking HR and people professionals around the world. On 20 May we will recognise the profession, the work that we do and our positive contribution for individuals and organisations, on a national and international scale,” said the European Association for People Management, one of the organisations spearheading the celebration.
Read more: HR leaders 'bring out the best in others every day'
The recognition couldn’t have come at a better time. Almost overnight, business leaders counted on HR professionals to become crisis managers. “The theme is about our role as a profession in leading change to improve working lives, and not slipping back into traditional ways of thinking and working. The theme implies we are leading a future that will be more inclusive, flexible, participative; one which will benefit workers, organisations and society as a whole,” the EAPM said.
How can teams and organisations celebrate #InternationalHRDay?
- Produce a video or photo collage of what it means for HR to shape the new future
- Invite a champion of the HR profession to speak in a virtual forum
- Give your HR team a shout out on social media
- Send a virtual gift or care package
- Present a recognition or award to your HR staff members
Read more: HR: The only function with true diversity
“This is an important time for HR professionals to transform organisations and revitalise how, where and when work gets done, as countries across the world look to reopen their economies and workplaces. HR now has a central role in shaping a new future that will make work more inclusive, fairer, more accessible, built on trust,” said EAPM president Even Bolstad.
“At this time of global challenge, the profession is stepping up to lead change to improve working lives, and not slip back into traditional ways of thinking and working. We are building an exciting future that will be flexible, participative, one which will benefit workers, organisations and society as a whole,” Bolstad said.
