Each year, the SIOP surveys its
members to determine what organizations should expect in the coming year. This
year's top 10 workplace trends are:
1. Mobile assessments: With
technology continuing to grow and progress, SIOP members predict mobile
assessments will be used increasingly more for selection, performance
management and training and development decisions. With this in mind, the SIOP
says it will be critical for businesses to get a better grasp on how mobile
technology, as well as social media and social collaboration, are changing how
employees are selected and recruited and how it can be used to help with
performance management, worker engagement and training.
2. More Big Data: The trend of relying on Big
Data won't be fading away anytime soon. SIOP members expect that as the
automation of collection and storage of data becomes easier, databases become
larger and hardware and software become more advanced, empirically based Big
Data predictions will become increasingly essential to workplace decisions.
3. Less work-life balance: As the result of
the proliferation of wearable technology, Google glass, smartphones and social
media, employees should expect the boundary between their work and home life to
continue to diminish. SIOP members believe this will make it even harder for
workers to maintain a healthful work-life balance in 2015.
4. Technology changes: Each year
technology seems to change the way work gets done. 2015 will not be any
different. SIOP members predict that technology will continue to radically
transform all aspects of the workplace, including an increase in automation of
certain tasks and jobs and changes in how employees perform assignments and
interact with others.
5. Doing more with less: The trend
of having to do a better job of optimizing resources due to declining budgets
will continue in the new year. SIOP members foresee these strategies continuing
to be a core of many organizations' business strategies.
6. Multigenerational workforces:
With four generations – Generation X, Generation Y, baby boomers and the
silents/veterans – making up the current U.S. workforce, it will be imperative
for businesses to make sure all those employees can successfully work together.
In 2015, SIOP members believe organizations will have to work hard to meld
everyone's differing perspectives, assumptions and skills.
7. Recruiting new employees and
retaining high achievers: As the job market continues to heat up, businesses
will have to place an increased emphasis on recruiting and selecting new
employees this year, while still retaining top talent.
8. Diversity initiatives: Simply
having a diverse workforce isn't the advantage it used to be for many
organizations. SIOP members believe that in 2015, business leaders will have to
make the most of their diverse staff by knowing how to properly and effectively
deal with such diversity.
9. More social responsibility:
Companies are no longer judged solely on their revenue or stock prices. SIOP
members expect that in 2015, an even greater importance will be placed on how
organizations can give back to their local and global communities. Corporate
social responsibility is quickly becoming a requirement for businesses that
want to be seen as responsible organizations.
10. New laws: With new years, come
new laws. In 2015, changes in current laws and the passage of new ones – such
as the Affordable Care Act, updated Office of Federal Contract Compliance
Programs requirements, and state laws on marijuana use – may affect a number of human resources and
organizational practices. It is critical for businesses to be aware of these
laws and fully understand how they affect their organization.
Author: Chad Brooks
Sources: Business News Daily