Jan 14, 2025

Dear HR Professionals,

In today’s newsletter, we will explore three main themes that have emerged from recent discussions in the HR industry. These themes include the impact of secondary jobs on employees’ wellbeing and business interests, the evolving role of HR, and the use of AI in HR practices. Each of these themes presents new opportunities for strategic and effective human resource management within organizations.

The first theme revolves around the issue of employees working secondary jobs under a four-day week arrangement. This trend has raised questions about how HR should react to protect both the wellbeing of employees and the business interests of the organization. Experts suggest that employers should engage in discussions with employees about their potential secondary work to ensure that it does not negatively impact their primary job or the organization’s operations. HR professionals can play a strategic role in facilitating these discussions and implementing policies that address the challenges and opportunities presented by employees working secondary jobs.

The second theme focuses on the evolving role of HR over time. A historical overview of the development of HR departments reveals that HR has evolved from personnel management focused on compliance and labor practices to a more strategic and multifaceted function. The changing landscape of work, including the impact of the Industrial Revolution, legislative changes, and societal movements, has shaped the role of HR to encompass diverse responsibilities such as talent management, workplace wellbeing, and organizational development. HR professionals can leverage this historical perspective to understand the breadth of their role and contribute strategically to the organization’s success.

The third theme highlights the growing use of AI in HR practices and its potential impact on reskilling workers. Despite the increasing adoption of AI in human capital management, a significant number of HR leaders are not focused on reskilling workers. The use of AI presents opportunities for HR to enhance the employee lifecycle, improve decision-making, and streamline administrative tasks. However, HR professionals need to be proactive in addressing the reskilling needs of the workforce to ensure that employees are prepared for the changing demands of the digital era.

In summary, these themes underscore the dynamic nature of human resource management and the need for HR professionals to adapt to new trends and challenges. By addressing the impact of secondary jobs, understanding the evolving role of HR, and embracing AI in HR practices, organizations can develop strategic and effective approaches to talent management, employee wellbeing, and organizational success.

Thank you for your continued dedication to the field of human resource management.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Themes Table:

Email Sources:

1. “One in six staff at council work second jobs under four-day week arrangement – how should HR react?” sent by news@comms.cipdmail.com

2. “Jan. 13 – DOL rule survives lawsuit | Can work permits prevent child labor violations?” sent by newsletter@divenewsletter.com

3. “Jan. 13 – RTO has mixed results on morale | SEIU rejoins AFL-CIO” sent by newsletter@divenewsletter.com

4. “📓 what is HR’s job?” sent by ihateithere@workweek.com

Stay Well!