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HR Recruitment March 2010
HR News |
12/03/2010
The coming months could well see business leaders take a more interventionist approach where their human resources (HR) departments are concerned.
According to Big Four professional service firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), many company bosses believe the recession has highlighted certain weaknesses within existing HR models.
As a result, almost nine out of ten chief executive officers expect the way their organisations manage people to change over the coming months and years.
Keen to maximise the productivity of their staff, 81 per cent of chief executives surveyed said they would be aiming to improve employee morale throughout their organisations.
In addition, 55 per cent claimed they would be making changes to flexible working policies, while 59 per cent signalled an intention to review global mobility arrangements such as business travel.
And with 42 per cent aiming to increase their company headcounts, and 65 per cent expecting to invest more in training and development, it is clear that HR departments will be kept extremely busy for the foreseeable future.
Without further HR recruitment, some could begin to buckle under the strain of an increased workload.
PwC partner Michael Rendell, the firm's human resource services leader, claimed that galvanising employees and executives with the right skills and experience "will be critical to operating and competing effectively in the emerging environment".
He commented: "We are all well-versed in the assertion that the deep cost-cutting and headcount reduction many companies felt forced to undertake during the recession could impact speed of recovery and competitiveness, so it is encouraging that chief executives are now prioritising the people agenda.
"Preparing for the upturn is a clear platform of opportunity for HR and, in the near future, this will mean refocusing on managing through change and engagement programmes as talent gaps need to be closed and roles redefined."
Mr Rendell said that given the strong focus firms appear to be placing on people management processes, "significant changes" to HR models can be expected over the next decade.
HR recruitment will clearly have a key role to play in any transformation. Latest figures suggest that departments are already recognising the need for more staff, with vacancy levels increasing by 27 per cent since the turn of the year.
The February Ashdown Group Jobs Index reveals that even after the phenomenal 21 per cent rise in HR vacancies during January, the market has maintained its momentum.
While the rate of expansion slowed somewhat on the previous month, the number of HR roles available still increased by 6.31 per cent.
John Lynes, director of the Ashdown Group, said the trend was indicative of "the market's intention to hire and retain".
He commented: "I would have expected a slight drop back or flattening of demand during February, instead we have seen demand for HR professionals continue."
With an economic recovery under way, and change afoot in the sector, it is only natural that firms should be planning for the future with their own HR hiring strategies.
Posted by Jon Aspinell
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