Industries across the world are still struggling to adapt to the post-pandemic world, a world with many challenges for businesses and investments. While the COVID-19 pandemic seems under control, for now, economic risks and a new military conflict in Ukraine are still threatening both companies and consumers. The Russian invasion in Ukraine prompted Western leaders to apply economic sanctions on Russia, and numerous brands have already left this market. With both the invasion and the number of sanctions still growing, HR managers everywhere should probably consider the consequences this crisis might have on their workforce, no matter their geographic location.
Furthermore, the conflict in Ukraine is not alone in threatening the balance of the post-pandemic world and its businesses. As the global economy is struggling to recover, issues like attracting new talent and employee diversity are also becoming more and more important. Here are three of the biggest challenges for HR in 2022 and beyond.
Attracting new talent
Talent acquisition is never easy, and it might become even more challenging this year, with so many uncertainties plaguing global markets. Employers may have to adapt their recruiting strategies to fit the fragile balance of the post-pandemic world. Their efforts should be centered on a strong recruiting campaign that focuses on the company’s vision, goals, and ideology, utilizing all available tools for maximum impact. Furthermore, companies should probably also consider attracting new talent within refugee groups, supporting the people who need jobs the most during these difficult times.
According to TechMonitor, some British IT companies are already stepping up to the challenge, as they are currently working on a project designed to provide work and housing for refugee tech workers in the UK.
Helping workers face uncertainties
According to Gartner, workers’ health and safety should be the most important concerns during times of war. While many companies concentrate their efforts on ensuring physical safety for their employees, including the ones working in or near war zones, it’s essential not to ignore the fact that the Russian invasion in Ukraine might impact workers on a mental and emotional level. HR managers should find out if employees have family members living in Ukraine if they are dealing with financial difficulties as a consequence of the conflict or the economic sanctions imposed on Russia, or if they are suffering from depression or anxiety.
While employees who live or work in Ukraine should remain the first concern for their companies, employers shouldn’t overlook the fact that the Russian invasion — like the COVID-19 pandemic before it — may impact those already struggling with mental disorders.
Ensuring employee diversity
One of the most important challenges both HR managers and their companies face nowadays is providing equal rights and opportunities for all employees, regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, and other similar criteria. Employee diversity is not always easy to ensure, but it comes with multiple benefits for the companies that succeed. A more diverse work environment increases both productivity and creativity, and it also helps with employee retention. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has already proved that ensuring and maintaining diversity becomes even more difficult during a global crisis, as groups including women, LGBTQ+ employees, people of color, and working parents had the hardest time during the healthcare crisis, according to McKinsey.
Considering the fact that the recent conflict in Ukraine seems to become yet another global crisis, albeit, on a financial level, companies in the US and abroad should make sure they address new issues that might disproportionately impact diverse groups.
Turning challenges into opportunities
Although the post-pandemic world is far from what many people imagined it will be, HR managers already know that the new challenges we face today can be transformed into future opportunities. By attracting new talent, including workers from within refugee groups, helping workers face their worries and uncertainties, and by ensuring employee diversity, HR managers can make sure they are building a stronger company and a brighter future. As the COVID-19 pandemic has already demonstrated, brands that are willing to invest in building that future will ultimately gain not only their employees’ respect and loyalty but also their customers’ appreciation.
