Human Capital Management (HCM) company Paycor today revealed top priorities and concerns for human resources (HR) and business leaders in 2020. By looking at the most frequently accessed content in its resource center, the company determined primary areas of interest in 2020 to be communication, health and safety, change in the workplace, layoffs and furloughs, and payroll.
The past year has been marked by a number of significant events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest, the election, and natural disasters. The pandemic had a remarkable impact on the workforce, as many organizations switched to a remote work model temporarily or indefinitely, and unemployment soared as high as 14.7%. During turbulent times like these, employees turn to business leaders and HR for support and information on what the future holds for them and the business as a whole.
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Based on Paycor’s most frequently referenced resources, the top five themes for HR and business leaders in 2020 were:
Communication
Communication became more important than ever this year. In the wake of life-disrupting events like those mentioned above, transparent and effective leadership is essential. HR and business leaders were tasked with mitigating the challenges of remote work, making sure their employees were kept safe and informed, and, of course, continuing to push their businesses forward.
One of the top resources addressing communication was Paycor’s Coronavirus Return To Work Letter. For companies planning on bringing employees back to a physical workplace, letters such as this serve as a means to welcome the workforce back and brief them on new procedures and protocols. It’s critical that business leaders and HR communicate effectively with employees so they feel comfortable upon their return to work and can confidently navigate the complexities of the business’ “new normal.”
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Health and safety
The health and safety of business’ employees and customers was a top priority in 2020 and will carry into the new year and beyond. As COVID-19 rates climbed throughout the year, companies quickly realized they needed plans in place for if and when employees got sick or tested positive for the virus.
One such plan is outlined in Paycor’s 6 Steps To Take If An Employee Tests Positive For COVID-19 document. Every business needs a contingency plan that outlines its policies around COVID-19 testing, paid time off (PTO) and sick leave, sanitation, self-isolation measures, and more. Companies who prioritize getting their ducks in a row can save themselves from unnecessary business interruption down the line.
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