This is your HR news flash for the week of November 16, 2020, your briefing on talent management and the world of work from HRCI.

Over the past year, organizations have experienced many issues largely outside of their own control. These experiences have highlighted the need for scenario planning.

Scenario planning allows us to proactively envision and develop potential future outcomes. Here are a few ways HR professionals can contribute their unique perspective during scenario planning.

This is your HR news flash for the week of November 2, 2020, your briefing on talent management and the world of work from HRCI.

Since this pandemic started, we have witnessed how technology can offer unprecedented opportunities to customize our workflows, gauge the efficiency of our current processes, and determine how to develop new options.

So, when was the last time you revisited your HR tech stack? Established vendors and startups are continuously developing new products and adding new features to existing products — and you stand to benefit. Here are three ways you can improve your 2020 HR tech stack.

This is your HR news flash for the week of October 19, 2020, your briefing on talent management and the world of work from HRCI.

Saving face produces the best outcomes for everyone. Maya Hu-Chan shares her techniques for saving face and leading teams with respect.

This is your HR news flash for the week of October 19, 2020, your briefing on talent management and the world of work from HRCI.

At this time of the year, many HR professionals are involved in negotiations with technology vendors and other contractors. Over the last few months, we’ve experienced dramatic changes in the way that we work, and contract negotiations for next year are likely to be anything but routine.

Here are a few ideas for strengthening your negotiation skills as you prepare to update your contracts for the new calendar year.

First, build rapport with your current vendors.

For many of us, it’s been a while since we’ve interacted face-to-face with our vendors and contractors. It’s easy to let those relationships fade if you don’t take proactive steps to keep them strong. 

Reach out and schedule a call or video chat. If you don’t have a reciprocal relationship with your vendors, it’s never too late to begin building one!

Second, review an existing contract.

Review the current contract. Are there incentives that were bargained and not utilized? What are some of the details overlooked in the past that need to be added into the upcoming contracts? The expanded use of technological tools in the workplace and by the workforce requires more robust applications. Make sure to emphasize these in your contract negotiations.

Finally, walk through potential risks and solutions.

It is important to brainstorm likely challenges before you negotiate for the coming year. Chart out different options for multiple economic conditions and determine your plans to meet these challenges. Not only will this prepare for you for any negotiations, it will also help you determine any contingencies and service guarantees.  

This is your HR news flash for the week of October 12, 2020, your briefing on talent management and the world of work from HRCI.

2020 has been a year of rapid change. Many HR organizations’ needs have shifted throughout the year. As we enter 2020’s final quarter, it is time to evaluate whether your current HR tech stack is working for your organization.

Here are three questions you need to explore as you determine if your HR tech stack is right for your organization.

• First, do you have data silos?

• Second, is your tech stack mobile-friendly?
• Finally, does your current tech support workforce agility?

This is your HR news flash for the week of October 5, 2020, your briefing on talent management and the world of work from HRCI.

Corporate wellness programs have become a commonly accepted part of benefits packages in large enterprises. Like any benefit, it is important to evaluate the impact it is having on your business in a strategic way.

Here’s how to measure the effectiveness of your corporate wellness program.

• First, set clear goals for your wellness program.
• Second, measure participation levels over time.
• Finally, compare intended and actual outcomes.

This is your HR news flash for the week of September 28, 2020, your briefing on talent management and the world of work from HRCI.

The pandemic has highlighted the important role wellness plays at work. It is more important than ever to encourage employees to make their health a priority. Small organizations do not always have extensive resources for building out wellness programs. Here are some ideas to create a wellness program in a smaller organization. 

This is your HR news flash for the week of September 21, 2020, your briefing on talent management and the world of work from HRCI.

Work has changed dramatically since March 2020. While many of the disruptions have been unpleasant, there are now a myriad of opportunities for HR professionals to rethink assumptions about how we work.

The global pandemic’s disruptions are a catalyst for these changes. Here are some key practices to leverage as you transform your workplace.

First, evaluate pre-pandemic practices.

The first step to transforming work processes is measuring what the pandemic has changed. You can measure pre-pandemic productivity against current outputs by reviewing existing employee data. This will establish a benchmark for how processes need to evolve to adapt to a virtual workplace.

Second, set specific goals.

Comparing pre-pandemic workforce data and attitudes with current data provides entry points for meaningful change. Making and accepting change is a process. It will require careful planning and socialization of the new vision and practices.

After analyzing your data, focus your energy on where you can make the most impact. Set specific, measurable goals for change and be prepared to alter your plans should the need arise.

Finally, plan a better future.

With the pandemic challenges, we also have opportunities for transformation. Examine your workforce, set specific goals for success, and then establish a plan to get there. When confronted with uncertainty, remember that the data and your experiences as an HR professional will lead you to the best option. This is a unique time of unprecedented change. Make sure you take advantage of this opportunity to move your organization to the next level of business success. 

This is Rene Sotolongo, aPHR, with HRCI. This concludes your HR News Flash. HRCI prepares HR leaders for the digital age. Thanks for listening. Check back soon for the workplace news you need. Learn more at HRCI.org.

This is your HR news flash for the week of September 14, 2020, your briefing on talent management and the world of work from HRCI.

Employer wellness programs can play a valuable role in supporting employees. However, many programs were originally designed for an office setting. 

Here are three steps you can take this week to adapt your wellness program to remote work life.

First, offer digital fitness subscriptions.

Before the pandemic, a popular wellness perk was offering discounted rates to onsite gyms. With gyms slowly reopening or operating at a reduced capacity, online classes and apps are an alternative that can help keep people moving even while they are safely sheltering at home.

Second, encourage mobility.

Video conferencing has replaced in-person meetings for many of us — and it’s easy to spend the entire day staring at your laptop. Encourage team members to take as many of their calls as possible the old-fashioned way: audio only. This will give your employees the freedom to get up from their desks and take a walk.

Finally, address mental health in your wellness plan.

Remote work introduces new challenges and stressors to the workplace, including isolation. A side effect of this is that many employees may be struggling with their mental health.

Incorporate programs that address social connection and emotional well-being. For example, you can schedule a yoga class once a month. This will serve the dual purpose of teaching workers how to destress and letting them connect with peers.

This is Ruth Hartgen, PHR, with HRCI. This concludes your HR News Flash. HRCI prepares HR leaders for the digital age. Thanks for listening. Check back soon for the workplace news you need. Learn more at HRCI.org.

This is your HR news flash for the week of September 7, 2020, your briefing on talent management and the world of work from HRCI.

Despite a global pandemic and an economic recession, the human resources function remains in high demand. Business leaders across the globe continue to recognize how critical HR is to their company’s bottom line.

Several overall trends are shaping the demand for HR professionals right now.