Soaring responsibilities plague HR departments, indication that it's management's time to rise up, according to a recent survey report.
In today's fast-paced business environment, HR teams are shouldering an increasing workload as they take on new strategic responsibilities. A recent survey by PayFit revealed that nearly two-thirds (64%) of HR teams are working beyond their limits, leading to increased stress levels, declining job satisfaction, and reduced work-life balance for many.
Marie-Alice Tantardini, Chief People and Fulfilment Officer at PayFit, urges leaders to step up and help ease the strain on HR teams. According to Tantardini, "HR teams have earned a seat at the table, driving meaningful changes in business, but they need our support to manage these new demands sustainably."
One key strategy for leaders is to transition HR from reactive to proactive by helping teams anticipate challenges using data, trends, and workforce planning aligned with business growth. This reduces stress and positions HR as a strategic partner rather than only administrative support.
Investing in AI and automation tools is another important step. By automating routine HR tasks, such as PTO questions, onboarding, and compliance inquiries, leaders can free up HR teams to focus on complex, strategic work.
Creating a clear strategic HR plan tied to organizational objectives is also crucial. Through SWOT analyses, goal setting, and workforce forecasting, leaders can guide HR teams in prioritizing initiatives such as leadership development, diversity and inclusion, and wellness programs.
Promoting employee wellbeing and equitable workloads is another essential aspect. By supporting managers to understand and assist employees’ personal challenges and ensuring workloads are reasonable, leaders can prevent burnout and foster a positive work environment.
Enhancing communication, trust, and recognition is another vital component. Leaders can foster open communication channels, transparent leadership, reward and recognition programs, and a feedback-driven culture to reduce pressure on HR to handle employee relations reactively and instead build a positive environment.
Equipping managers with tools and training is essential to empower them to support their teams effectively, enabling HR functions to scale through leadership empowerment and shared responsibility for workforce wellbeing.
Digitisation is common in several HR areas, including payroll, time and attendance tracking, recruitment and applicant tracking, and benefits administration. However, mental health support and AI employee usage policies are among the new responsibilities added to HR teams' workload, which may require additional resources and support.
The survey, conducted by PayFit, involved 302 senior HR professionals working for companies with more than 10+ employees in the UK. The findings highlight the urgent need for leaders to support HR teams and invest in strategies that reduce reactive workload, invest in modern technology, align HR with strategic business goals, and prioritize employee wellbeing and communication.
By adopting these strategies, leaders can help HR teams manage new workplace demands sustainably, ensuring that they continue to drive meaningful changes in business while maintaining their own wellbeing and job satisfaction.
- In the realm of business, HR teams are taking on more strategic responsibilities, necessitating proactive measures such as data-driven workforce planning to reduce stress levels and maintain work-life balance.
- To effectively empower HR teams, leaders must invest in AI and automation tools to automate routine tasks, freeing up time for complex, strategic work and promoting a shift from reactive to proactive HR management.
- A strategic HR plan, tied to organizational objectives, can help guide HR teams in prioritizing crucial initiatives like leadership development, diversity and inclusion, and wellness programs, thereby addressing mental health concerns and fostering a positive work environment.
