MHR, a leading HR, payroll, and finance expert, has unveiled its anticipated trends for HR professionals in 2024, identifying the urgent need to tackle burnout as the foremost challenge on the agenda.
A startling revelation from the report indicates that an alarming 50 percent of HR professionals are contemplating leaving their roles due to burnout.
This looming crisis prompts organizations to brace for a potential talent deficit or, alternatively, invest urgently in strategies to alleviate burnout throughout the year.
The spike in reported burnout can be attributed to the emotional strain inherent in HR roles, which is anticipated to intensify in 2024 due to continual changes in employment laws and escalating employee expectations.
The prevalence of remote work has exacerbated the issue, with teams feeling isolated and lacking a supportive network.
Working Hand-in-Hand with AI to Alleviate Burnout
Recognising the potential of technology to address burnout, organizations are expected to delve into digital transformation in 2024. HR departments will collaborate with other divisions to explore how AI can enhance business operations, functioning as a supplementary tool rather than a substitute for talent.
However, the integration of AI in HR processes necessitates vigilant monitoring for biases, particularly in recruitment. To counter this, HR teams are advised to collaborate with Chief Technology Officers to regularly assess and test AI-driven HR processes. Continuous improvement based on feedback ensures the ethical and fair use of AI in HR throughout the new year.
Prioritising Learning in Accordance with Evolving Job Roles
As AI and automation continue to reshape workplaces in 2024, HR professionals must ensure that employees possess the necessary skill sets. The dynamic nature of technology requires constant adaptation, with role requirements evolving yearly. The research reveals a 25 percent change in job skillsets since 2015, expected to double by 2027.
Candidates who exhibit a capacity for acquiring new skills and adapting to change will be in high demand in 2024. Upskilling existing employees will also be a focal point, with 80 percent of the workforce no longer confined to traditional desk-based work.
HR professionals must re-evaluate talent management strategies, aligning them with the diverse learning resources available.
Anton Roe, CEO at MHR, emphasised the continued prominence of AI in business, stating, “As the adoption of AI becomes more widespread among businesses, HR leaders will need to review their processes to ensure it is a central theme of company strategy moving forward. Particular emphasis should be placed on reducing repetitive workload, improving data analysis, and decision support to decrease workloads across HR organizations, mitigating the risk of employee burnout.”
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
