The business world is constantly evolving. Every year, workplaces face new and unforeseen challenges, especially when it comes to human resources (HR). As Workday points out, traditional conceptions of HR are “becoming a thing of the past. Where HR leaders once focused on administrative support and policy, human resources is now a frontline strategic function — a shift that’s presenting both exciting opportunities and complex issues for companies to navigate.”
Current HR trends and challenges may seem daunting, but the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) online Master of Science Human Resource Management program equips students to tackle modern problems. This experiential learning degree path places a particular focus on the most critical HR issues of today.
Among other things, students will learn how to effectively leverage new technologies that are transforming the workplace and will acquire specific organizational and communication skills that are essential for their future success. Here are five specific challenges to keep in mind as you prepare for a career in HR:
1. Burnout
While a culture that promotes hard work is a good thing, organizations can struggle when employees prioritize work over rest and self-care, which can lead to burnout. According to Achievers, employers can be at fault by encouraging behavior that leads to burnout. HR leaders can play a role in reducing this risk. “To lower the risk of employee burnout, HR departments and managers might need to make large-scale operational changes like implementing employee well-being programs, reducing employee’s workloads, offering manager training to spot signs of burnout, or revising the company culture or values to place greater emphasis on self-care,” Achievers states.
2. Performance Management
One challenge that HR professionals face is tracking and measuring employee performance. This can become a particular problem in large workplaces, where the number of employees in need of evaluation can be in the thousands. But with the right tools, this challenge can be overcome. According to Pocket HRMS: “Using a performance management system and related tracking tools and creating a real-time feedback mechanism can help the organization adjust its program and conduct better people analyses.”
3. Change Management
Every organization will undergo disruptive changes, but what matters is whether leaders can effectively manage those changes. For HR professionals, strong change management skills require the capacity to combine empathy and innovation to keep employees engaged. “The whirlwind of fast-changing workplace trends and technologies means HR leaders are challenged to manage disruption while maintaining employee confidence and trust,” Workday states. “Rising concerns about job displacement, shifting roles, and other changing workplace dynamics often lead to resistance, requiring HR to address these fears directly.”
4. Upskilling
Rapid technological advancements are altering the landscape for HR professionals. As Workday notes: “Traditional job roles are evolving while entirely new ones are emerging, creating an urgent need for continuous learning.” While the need to upskill is often framed as a generational problem, both older and younger workers can face challenges that necessitate ongoing education. More experienced professionals will need to acquire specific hard skills to interface properly with new technology. By contrast, younger workers are more likely to be digitally native; however, they may lack basic soft skills necessary to navigate important business relationships, according to Workday.
5. Integrating AI
One particularly important technology that is transforming HR jobs is AI. The Mission reports that 92% of HR leaders are actively involved in the implementation of AI within their businesses but many lack a deep understanding of the technology. This knowledge gap makes managing the shift to AI a pressing challenge for many workplaces. Equally important, however, is making sure employee concerns about AI are addressed. The Mission advises HR professionals to “focus on transparent communication about how AI will support, not replace, them.”
Complete Your Human Resource Management Master’s Degree Online
The multiplicity of challenges facing HR departments in the modern world can seem daunting. But the good news is that none of these problems are insurmountable, and many of them are, in fact, opportunities for growth and positive transformation.
The key for HR professionals is to be prepared. A program like UIS’s online Master of Science Human Resource Management gives students the knowledge and expertise necessary to overcome these obstacles and many others they may face in the future.
Learn more about UIS’s online Master of Science Human Resource Management program.
