The year 2025 is going to be more transformative in comparison to earlier years because of the increasing speed of technology adoption at workplaces. This year will be ruled by technology in people processes.
HR professionals are expected to face the unique challenges of managing the needs of Gen Z and creating a balance within organization while working with a multigenerational workforce. The issue of workplace democracy, elimination of toxic culture, flexibility, recognizing the employee voice will be going to take ample time of business leaders and HR professionals.
Employee relations are also quietly transforming. One man union with a social media support system has gained the space and is shaping the new dimension of relationship where organization will become the third party. Now no employee seems to go into a formal union organizing mode with demonstrations and protests on the roads. Technology has given them a unique tool to vent out their grievances and put the organization in the dock in public making them answerable and compelling them to address their issues. HR professionals’ biggest challenge would be to check and manage this growing tendency among employees to use social media platforms instead of taking up their matters within the organization.
It seems that managers are not prepared for this till now and need to be upskilled to handle these matters in the coming times as it is possibly going to acquire a dangerous dimension. Managers also need to be taught how to handle a multigenerational workforce and develop customised tools and techniques to keep the workforce engaged and productive.
With the fast pace, technology is becoming the basis of every business process making many existing jobs obsolete and replacing them with new ones, reskilling and upskilling will be a unique challenge for HR and employees to make future-proofing careers. Handling abrupt layoffs because of business uncertainties will be another area where HR needs to keep its sleeves up.
This edition cover story is an attempt to understand how would be the work and workplace in the coming year from the industry and HR experts. Their insights would be highly helpful for readers to prepare themselves accordingly.
Wishing all the readers a very peaceful and prosperous 2025!
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