The latest learning news and research personally compiled by TJ’s Editor, Jo Cook
HR trends for 2024
The world of work has been turned upside down in recent years, namely by the Covid pandemic among other global events. In 2024, some trends of the past few years continue, such as flexible and remote working – but what else will be important for UK business and HR leaders to consider this year?
Digital staffing platform Coople have published a list of HR trends that will be significant this year. Drawing on changes to international employment law, the government’s own statistical research, and their own knowledge of the labour market, Coople have identified the 6 trends that will have the greatest impact on businesses in 2024.
- Integration of AI
- Upskilling your employees
- 50-64 year olds returning to work
- Flexible working
- A return to the office
- Salary transparency
Do you love your job?
Jessica Walter, a former communication executive and global leadership consultant, made an unexpected discovery in her research into the shifting expectations around work life and the environments employees are willing to work in.
“Three characteristics were continually appearing in the research as I looked at the differences between the work environments of high-performing teams and low-performing teams. The teams experiencing connection, protection, and appreciation at work were more likely to perform at higher levels over the long term,” Walter explained.
“What was unexpected is that these characteristics were also a perfect match to how we define the desired experience of ‘love’ in relationships outside of work.”
Do you feel ignored over business changes?
Organisational changes are commonplace, from changes in management structure and departmental responsibilities through to implementing a new organisation-wide IT platform. However, latest research from O.C. Tanner reveals that less than half of UK leaders (47%) take their employees into account when deciding to enact business-wide changes.
And just 44% of UK senior leaders seek employee opinions as changes are rolled-out. These are the findings from O.C. Tanner’s 2024 Global Culture Report which gathered data and insights from more than 42,000 employees, leaders, HR practitioners, and executives from 27 countries worldwide including 4,818 from the U.K.
“Organisational changes can have far-reaching impacts on the workforce” says Robert Ordever, European MD of O.C. Tanner. “Regardless of whether these changes are strategic, structural, technological or people-centric, by not considering employees and seeking their feedback before rolling-out change, this is a recipe for disaster, potentially leading to widespread frustration, cynicism and disengagement!”
Amplifying the voice of freelancers
Malt, Europe’s leading freelancer marketplace facilitating connections between businesses and freelancers, announced the launch of its Freelance Advisory Board, a consultation committee bringing together 17 freelancers and consultants from seven countries to help Malt shape its strategy across Europe.
A new governing body has been selected from a community of 600,000 freelancers registered on Malt’s platform and gives a voice and active role to its international community of freelancers. Members of this committee have completed over 500 assignments in eight categories of business expertise, such as tech, marketing, design, and strategy consulting.
Acting as a stakeholder committee, the advisory board will also have an advocacy role, representing the freelancers’ voices during Malt’s discussions with public decision-makers to keep changing the rules about freelancing and help influence policies defining the future of work.
