International HR day 20th May 2024

As International HR Day approaches, Spectra HR looks at this years’ theme “HR shaping the new future” which focuses on four sub-themes: 

• Ethical use of technology and AI
• Future workplaces
• People leadership and 
• Continued innovation in skills and education

At Spectra HR, we recognise our role in driving change to support our clients to improve working lives and understand that this is key to the success of their business.   In partnership with our clients, we’re ensuring workplaces are inclusive, flexible, and productive!

Ethical use of technology and AI

With the increase in technology and AI in HR, people are worried that AI will take over and result in job losses, that there is a hidden agenda!  If you are using technology across your business then it’s important to vet vendors thoroughly, particularly around data privacy.  Inform your employees about the use of AI, communicate the benefits, and address any concerns they may have. Provide training and regularly audit your systems and evaluate the potential ethical, legal, and social risks.

Future workplaces

The future is evolving rapidly, post pandemic the hybrid work model has become the norm for many businesses. With the right to request flexible working now a day-1 employment right, many employers will need to be considering how flexible they can be at the recruitment stage! We are seeing more employers adopting a flexible approach to the hours staff are working, recognising that not all employees are at their most productive between the traditional 9-5 business hours.  With raised awareness of mental health and neurodiversity, employers are also working collaboratively with their employees to ensure that all employees are thriving and productive at work. Employers that have a flexible approach, work collaboratively with their teams, are enhancing employee satisfaction, improving retention, and enhancing their overall company performance.

People Leadership

Leadership is the ability to understand people’s motivations and leverage them to achieve a shared goal. It’s important to develop leaders who can address the needs of your business and to create an environment that allows them to become effective. In SMEs many leaders are also managing a team, translating the goals into tasks, and managing staff to achieve those goals. 

Employees are often promoted to a management or leadership role because of their technical competence without having received leadership training and support. Support can be provided through a formal training programme, on the job opportunities or coaching and mentoring. 

Continued innovation in skills and education

Continuous innovation is the ongoing process of learning and development, focussing on improvements over time.  At appraisal time, as well as reviewing past performance, it’s important to look ahead and discuss training to support your employees to continuously develop and enhance their skills, knowledge, and experience.    All businesses need to be thinking ahead, to remain competitive and improve their service offering, develop their products etc.  Business development needs to go hand in hand with staff development.  If you are investing in training for your employees, it’s advisable to enter into a Training Agreement, to be sure you can recover some of your costs should the employee leave your business either during the course or soon after. 

If you would like further information please contact us, whether it’s a quick advice query or you are considering introducing hybrid working, appraisals or up skilling your workforce Spectra HR are here to help.  We run a number of management courses, which can be deliver either on site, remotely or at our offices in Altrincham.