Human Resource Knuggets
Jan 16, 2025
Dear HR Professionals,
In today’s newsletter, we have gathered a diverse range of topics that are currently making waves in the human resource management space. From the implications of employee engagement surveys to the challenges of AI training and the impact of labor market dynamics, there are several key themes that are shaping the HR landscape in 2025.
The recent case of an NHS cleaner being unfairly dismissed after taking 400 sick days in four years highlights the importance of understanding and accommodating employees with disabilities. The tribunal ruling described the respondent’s decision to deny the worker had a disability as ‘irrational and wrong’ in light of clear medical evidence. This underscores the need for organizations to have robust processes in place for managing long-term sickness absences and ensuring fair treatment of employees with disabilities.
Employee resilience has become a critical focus in the wake of burnout and talent gaps in people teams. With the ongoing uncertainty and adversity in the world, businesses are being urged to offer better support to avoid burnout. This year, employee resilience is going to be more important than ever, and HR professionals need to prioritize wellbeing alongside employee support to foster a healthier and more resilient workforce.
The evolving landscape of labor market dynamics and the mixed views reported by US job seekers about the 2025 labor market indicate a need for organizations to address the skills gap. Job seekers cite a lack of hard skills, soft skills, and communication skills as barriers to employment. This underscores the importance of investing in training and development programs to equip employees with the skills needed to succeed in the evolving job market.
Additionally, the focus on pay transparency and the challenges of AI training highlight the need for organizations to prioritize fairness and upskilling. With fewer than 1 in 5 US companies having a pay transparency strategy, there is a clear disconnect between the importance employers place on advancing these strategies and the progress that has been made. Similarly, the obstacles in AI training emphasize the need for organizations to reevaluate their learning and development approaches to ensure that workers engage effectively with training programs.
In conclusion, the themes highlighted in today’s newsletter shed light on the evolving landscape of human resource management. From addressing disability accommodations and prioritizing employee resilience to tackling the skills gap and promoting fairness and upskilling, HR professionals have a pivotal role to play in driving strategic and effective HR practices in organizations.
Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more insightful updates in the world of human resource management.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Main Themes in Today’s Newsletter:
Theme | Description |
---|---|
Disability Accommodations | Importance of understanding and accommodating employees with disabilities |
Employee Resilience | Urgent need to prioritize wellbeing alongside employee support to foster a healthier and resilient workforce |
Skills Gap and Fairness in Upskilling | Addressing the challenges of pay transparency, AI training, and the skills gap in the labor market |
Original Email Sources:
1. NHS cleaner sacked after taking 400 sick days in four years was unfairly dismissed, tribunal rules (news@comms.cipdmail.com)
2. Payroll Deductions Simplified (updates@experttraininginstitute.com)
3. JBS pays $4M to counter child labor practices | Amazon’s DEI pivots (newsletter@divenewsletter.com)
4. Employee Engagement Surveys: 20 Important Questions to Ask (content@hrmorning.com)
5. Mixed views on the 2025 labor market | What’s in the way of AI training? (newsletter@divenewsletter.com)
Stay Well!