13 HR Trends Anticipated for 2020, 2021 and Post-Pandemic

The human resources (HR) department of businesses of all sizes have been transforming gradually over the years, since the business conditions, technology and workforces have changed continuously. The current Coronavirus pandemic has made it even more necessary for HR professionals to quickly respond to important business priorities, handling fluctuations in the workforce and using the latest technology available. The diversity of the workforce has increased, with employees of different ages, genders, nationality and race being hired by companies and HR will have to ensure that they work harmoniously together as a team.

HR Looking Ahead

Though usually HR has handled the changes in business requirements well in the last few years, it is now necessary for the HR department to take a fresh look at the expected near term and future trends carefully, if it wishes to remain an essential company function in future. Using the information provided by the Forbes Human Resources Council, some of top predictions for HR trends in the post-pandemic periodic, second half of 2020 and 2021 are listed at the end of this article. Employers can utilize these trends to plan for the future, use HR help for formulating, implementing corporate strategies and improve employee engagement which will certainly help in business growth.

HR should manage the changes in habits at the workplace and employee expectations after considering the pandemic, economic uncertainty and the predicted trends of culture and age divergence. Managing the employees of a company is challenging under any circumstances. To improve effectiveness of the employees, HR professionals should focus on these trends. These include ensuring that that the employees are engaged in their work, happy and healthy. One of the most challenging activities for the HR department is improving employee engagement since statistical data indicates that employees are not fully engaged while working.

Employee Engagement Will Be Key

To improve employee engagement, HR professionals are also focusing on well being of employees especially after the COVID-19 pandemic started. Gallup indicates the stress level of employees has increased, so more companies are recognizing the need to offer wellness programs which also include mental health.

A Deloitte survey points out that 91% of employees have an unmanageable amount of stress or frustration.

HR teams should make more effort to up-skill and re-skill their workforce. Making them more productive will help the business innovate and attain corporate targets.

By staying updated on the following trends, HR professionals can anticipate changes in industry and the workforce to adjust business processes accordingly.

Forbes Predicted Workplace Trends

Below are the predicted workplace trends the experts from the Human Resources Council of Forbes see intensifying. By reading the entire Forbes article you can uncover why the experts believe the trends will be so popular:

1.Bigger Focus on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

2. More Organizations Speaking on Social Issues

3. Heightened Interest in Workplace Culture

4. Improvement in Workplace Technology Systems

5. HR Leaders as Culture Champions

6. Changes in Employer-Sponsored Health Plans

7. Continued Caution in Hiring

8. Growing Importance of Working from Home

9. A Focus on Mental Health and Well-Being

10. Improvement of Employee Experience

11. More Focus on the Remote Work Experience

12. More Importance of Learning and Development

13. A Greater Focus on the Human Element

As the above trends demonstrate, there will be many demanding areas for HR teams. To remain relevant, the main challenges for HR professionals will be adopting new ways to maintain and improve efficiency and productivity in their core functions, especially employee retention and engagement.

Summary

The trends will help the HR professionals predict changes and make the required alterations to their business model. HR departments will have to adapt to change, using digital technologies and help to integrate workers of a new generation with different expectations into the organization.

It is important to identify the capabilities of key employees for personal development so that the employee does more than what his job description specifies. Employees should get support so that they behave responsibly, take the initiative, work independently and together respond quickly to the changes in business conditions.

Organizations which use the latest digital technologies, business practices, encourage innovation of employees and are streamlined will advance in future. In this, the HR department has a central role helping their business become successful.

Flexicrew can help you quickly recruit the types of workers which will fit well with these trends. Give us a call today to get prepared.

employee engagement hiring workplace trends

March Lost Productivity Madness in the Workplace

Is that the sound of a basketball going through the net, or the sound of your productivity slipping away?

Millions of Americans have filled out March Madness brackets and discuss them with friends, and coworkers during work hours. Maybe even some of your workers.

Many managers and business owners struggle to keep their employees on-task while the games go on during the workday. There are stories of employees taking extended lunch breaks or calling in sick to catch a little piece of the action.

Some companies say that there is so much lost productivity during March Madness, that they have to block popular streaming sites and slow down their office’s
internet connection.
With an estimated 50+ million Americans participating in brackets and office pools, companies stand to lose at least $1.2 billion for every unproductive work hour during the first week of the tournament, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.

So why do many companies encourage participation in office pools and brackets? (Flexicrew Staffing is one of them). One survey suggests that 32 percent of senior managers believe activities tied to the tournament boost employee morale, which makes your workforce more efficient and productive.
So, enjoy this annual event while still staying on track so no productivity is lost. March Madness isn’t going away anytime soon, so why not make the best of the situation?

Follow your Bracket.

Enjoy some friendly trash talk.

Who knows? You might even win it all!

To your Madness,

Your Flexicrew Team

FTS Welcomed into Goldman Sachs Small Businesses Program

Brandon Smith, Managing Partner of Flexicrew Technical Services, awarded scholarship to prestigious, nationwide Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program

Metairie, LA, January 10, 2017–

Flexicrew Technical Services Managing Partner, Brandon Smith, was invited to participate in Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program at Delgado Community College where he will attend with a small number of other local New Orleans area small business leaders.

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program is a $500 million initiative to unlock the growth and job creation potential of small businesses across the United States by providing them with greater access to business education, financial capital, and business support services.

Stated Smith, “I am proud to be selected and excited to be a part of this dynamic program. I look forward to continued business growth and the ability to create more employment across the Gulf South Region.”

As part of the program, Smith will spend 14 weeks at Delgado Community College starting January 18^th. He will study a business and management curriculum designed by the top-ranked school for entrepreneurial education, and customized by Delgado Community College faculty. The curriculum covers topics including accounting, human resources, negotiation, and marketing. The program also includes one-on-one mentoring, accounting workshops and advice from Goldman Sachs’ professionals. The program culminates with each participant developing a strategic growth plan for their business.

Stephanie Bell of Delgado Community College congratulated Brandon by saying, “The selection process was quite competitive, as we received many outstanding applications from throughout the New Orleans Gulf South Region. You were chosen from a strong pool of candidates.

We hope that with your dedication and commitment, you will benefit from the program and continue to take your business to new heights.”

Within six months of graduation from this program, nearly 70 percent of program alumni increase revenues and 48 percent add jobs, per a recent report by Babson College, Stimulating Small Business Growth.

About Brandon Smith:

Brandon Smith is the Managing Partner of Flexicrew Technical Services, a leader in technical placements, focused on flexibility, speed of recruitment and skills accuracy in the New Orleans and Gulf South Region.

Brandon has an extensive background in the Staffing Industry .

About Flexicrew Technical Services:

Flexicrew Technical Services began operations in January, 2015 and is a leader in technical placements, focused on flexibility, accuracy, and efficient recruitment. It was awarded the 2016 American Staffing Association Genius Award, displaying the most innovative and effective communications in the staffing, recruiting and workforce solutions industry.

The Flexicrew companies are family-owned and run since 2008, that’s brought together the best management and support team, resulting in over 95% customer satisfaction. * Certified survey by Inavero.

If you would like more information about Flexicrew Technical Services or any of our hiring initiatives, please contact Brandon Smith at 504.400.9140 or email to bsmith at flexicrewtech.com.

10 Skills you need to get a job NOW

You recently graduated. You’ve prepared your resume and sent it to various hiring managers. Your resume is great and the cover letter clearly states why you are the best candidate for the job. You get an interview call. You get there well-dressed and on-time. You make eye contact with your interviewer, communicate effectively, and answer most questions with confidence. You get hired. Why? Probably because you’ve displayed the skills the employer desired.

However, these skills do not come easy for many graduates, skills which they failed to learn in their probably very expensive education.

What skills are sought by the employers?

In a recent GMAT survey nearly 600 employers were asked about the skills they look for when hiring new business graduates. The following statement by a technical recruiter sums up the response, “Communications, teamwork, and interpersonal skills are critical—everything we do involves working with other people.”

The following prioritized set of skills and abilities are the most desirable:

Working in a team

Making decisions and solve problems (tie)

Communicating verbally inside and outside an organization

Planning, organizing and prioritizing work

Retrieving and processing information

Analyzing quantitative data

Job specific technical knowledge

Proficient with computer software programs

Creating and/or editing written reports

Persuading and influencing others

What makes it difficult for the employers to recruit talent?

According to a 2015 Talent Search global survey by recruiting firm ManpowerGroup, including 41,700 employers in 42 countries, one in three employers said that there just aren’t enough applicants. But other major reasons are related to the available applicant’s skills and abilities.

For example, 34% of them said that the candidates lack the required technical competencies (industry-specific professional qualifications and industry-specific skilled trades’ certifications).
In addition, 22% hiring managers cited that lack of experience is behind talent shortages and
17% report soft skills deficits (particularly lack of professionalism, enthusiasm, motivation and a learning mindset).

Possible solutions?

The single most critical factor in bridging the technical and soft skills gap is improving the quality of “hands-on” education. The students need more real life experiences, project based learning, internships, co-op programs. They will then get to confront, discuss, and solve real world issues/problems.

Business leaders must communicate what skills are desirable, offer tools and resources, and collaborate with educators/institutions to showcase and demonstrate the ‘teamwork and communication’ they expect of their potential new hires.

5 Steps That Will Help You Change Careers

Changing careers takes focus and commitment. To be successful, you’ll need to develop short-term, intermediate and long-term goals, and decide on the steps you’ll need to accomplish them. Once you do that, it will be a lot easier to take the plunge into a new line of work.

Start by researching the marketplace to identify expanding industries. Search the Labor Department’s Occupational Outlook Handbook, job boards and the business press to see what’s areas are most in demand.

Next, take assessment tests to discover your hidden talents and jobs that fit them. Leading tests include the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Strong Interest Inventory and Campbell Interest & Skill Survey. Also, ask individuals you know personally and professionally for their insight into occupations that might be a strong fit for your background and skills.

Once you’ve decided on a new path, do some online research and networking to determine the skills you’ll need to qualify for jobs that interest you. If you lack key credentials, consider signing up for volunteer work enrolling in classes to bridge the gap.

Next, revamp your résumé to highlight skills and experiences that are most relevant to your desired new line of work. A professional career coach may be able to help.

When applying for jobs, craft cover letters that will help employers understand why you’re looking to change careers and how you can add value. Similarly, prepare for interviews by crafting 30-second introduction that sums up what you can do for employers.

Back-to-School Charitable Giving Event

Flexicrew employees enjoy volunteering and supporting our area communities and schools. This month we had the privilege of partnering with Exterran Holdings, Inc. and participating in the 2014 Brittmore Back-to-School Charitable Giving Eve…nt. This event benefits less-fortunate K-5th grade students at Bear Creek Elementary School in the Katy Independent School District in Euless, Texas. Our donation will help supply students with backpacks and grade-appropriate school supplies. It is our goal to help encourage and support the future successes of tomorrow’s workforce.