2022 Review: HR Reflections on the Last 12 Months

The shortest summary of this year: It’s all about people!

 

How will the lessons we learn about people this year help us prepare for the next year?

 

We have learned that the ability to adapt to rapid changes, empathy, and collaboration are essential to survival as a company. In 2022, more money was spent on employee well-being than ever before, and the pandemic has helped us to increase the speed of workplace mental support adoption.

 

Refocusing on the Workforce

 

One of the things we learned this year is; We must prioritize and care about employees more than ever before. Not only Human Resources but also top executives should accept it.

 

The post-pandemic period of resignation (The Great Resignation), which made a huge splash in the United States, was driven by inadequate wages, poor working conditions, depleted cultures, or employees who refused to continue working for precarious work. Hybrid and remote working debates arose. Employees wanted more choice and control over their jobs.

 

2022 was the year employees embraced their shared strengths and influences. If we ignore this, it is obvious that we will not be able to start the next year efficiently because the data is very clear: when we build everything around our employees, the rest falls into place. Happy, healthy, and engaged employees are the source of better products, innovation, collaboration, and good customer service!

 

But should we protect ourselves or our employees? We don’t believe it’s a mutually exclusive decision. We believe that in this age of economic uncertainty, it’s our people who will get us through.

 

The old ways are closed – Time to move on

 

Why do you think some of the well-known CEOs’ recent decisions and actions this year have been widely publicized and criticized in the media? There is a good reason. They’re trying the old ways, which are no longer a good fit for a company, to deal with employees. They are returning to an era of corporate governance and leadership that has long been discredited by employees.

 

In 2022 alone, 21% of the world’s labor was out of tune with the workload, pitiful, and growing disproportionately. Various contests are formats suitable for consumer audiences with the best participation rates. An environment for increasing reconciliation leaves behind the longest time to reverse the effects of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, which makes sense for the largest new generation and the next generation needed.

 

To truly be successful, we must shift our approach to the way we treat employees in the workplace. This means prioritizing fairness, trust, support, and care, which will foster a positive working environment and lead to more satisfied employees. While options like flexible work arrangements and increased pay may be helpful, these alone are not sufficient for creating a healthy and productive workplace. Instead, we must focus on creating a culture of respect and support.

 

So how do you navigate a recession?

 

To be successful during a recession, it is important to prioritize customer loyalty and employee engagement.

 

Some companies can thrive during economic downturns, and research has shown that these companies are 47% more likely to be “rising stars” compared to during stable periods. To be one of these successful companies, it may be helpful to look to past examples of companies that have thrived during a recession and adopt similar strategies. It is especially important to focus on employee engagement during a recession, as this can be a decisive factor in the success of a company. Keep in mind that customer loyalty can be easily gained or lost during a recession, and your employees are your greatest asset in this regard.

 

Employee engagement matters in a recession

 

During a recession, it is vital to prioritize employee engagement as it has a clear impact on profitability. To maintain the smooth operation of a company, it is necessary to have the full dedication and commitment of employees. This can only be achieved if they feel valued and supported by their employer. Therefore, it is important to prioritize the well-being and satisfaction of your employees to foster a positive and productive working environment.

 

By taking care of and showing appreciation for your employees, they will be more motivated to go above and beyond in their work.