From developments in generative artificial intelligence (AI), skill-building and employee well-being to laws and regulations surrounding AI and pay transparency, the global world of work will continue to transform in 2025. To help employers navigate shifting priorities, ADP unveiled the key HR trends employers should have on their radar and the resources to help them support their people and focus on business growth.
- The employee experience and well-being are ongoing business priorities: The business case for prioritizing the employee experience is strong, with a positive employee experience helping to drive engagement and productivity. To enhance the experience they offer, employers will look for opportunities for personalization, from customizing tasks to speak to employee’s unique skills and strengths to tailoring communication and recognition. Additionally, prioritizing ways to help employees manage their workloads and setting realistic expectations will help employers tackle employee stress and burnout.
- Skills have emerged as a strong indicator of employee success: In today’s complex labor market, skills are quickly rising to the top of priority lists for employers. Prioritizing a skills-based approach to talent can shift the focus of hiring and development from traditional qualifications, such as degrees and industry experience, to a person’s skills and abilities. As employers look to fill gaps, leaders should consider upskilling employees by introducing additional skills or reskilling employees to help them take on new roles and responsibilities as work continues to change.
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- New laws are shaping how AI is developed and used in employment decisions: As AI becomes more ingrained in the technologies people use, laws around how companies use data will continue to change and expand. Depending on an organization’s processes and technology, AI may be a part of employment decision making, which requires care and compliance with new laws and regulations. Employers should continue to monitor new legislation, comply with new laws on the development of AI systems and use AI effectively and responsibly at work.
- Pay equity and pay transparency remain business priorities: Globally, pay equity and pay transparency continue to be important areas of focus for employers, as some localities require organizations to analyze and report pay gaps and provide job applicants and employees with more information about pay. Employers should monitor evolving legislation and work to understand their pay data to effectively address any pay gaps and comply with pay transparency laws.
- Generative AI continues to revolutionize HR, jobs and the workforce: As generative AI tools reveal efficiencies, driving productivity and introducing new ways of getting work done, organizations are exploring how to best use the technology. The focus should be on eliminating friction points and distractions for employees so they can focus on the real work. It’s important for businesses to avoid overly complex employee trainings and to focus on the goals they’re looking to achieve, identifying ways in which generative AI can support those desired outcomes.
- Firms are looking to expand skills to benefit from emerging technologies: While upskilling and reskilling might not be new concepts, upskilling and reskilling to support generative AI and the solutions it’s creating are. As generative AI technologies make skills a business priority, employers will look to leverage their HR teams and new tools to better understand how work gets done in new ways and the skills needed to support those modes of working. In addition to technical skills development for workers, employers should consider offering them opportunities to experiment with generative AI in a safe, predefined manner to help drive innovation.
Commenting on the insights, Rahul Goyal, Managing Director, ADP India and Southeast Asia said, “As we move into 2025, the evolving workplace landscape in Asia Pacific brings a unique blend of opportunities and challenges. Organisations are prioritising employee well-being, adapting to new regulations, and harnessing the power of generative AI to stay competitive. At ADP, we are committed to supporting employers across the region as they navigate these changes, empowering them to foster resilient, agile workplaces where their people and businesses can thrive.”
