When proposing any change in working conditions that could be negatively perceived, employers should ensure they "get their messaging right", or risk public outcry and unflattering media attention, says People & Culture Strategies managing principal, Joydeep Hor.
HR professionals with strong analytical skills, and particularly those working in change management or compensation and benefits, will find it easiest to move into new roles this year, say HR recruitment specialists.
Employers run the risk of disengaging their staff if the technology solutions they provide at work aren't chosen with the end-user in mind, says Future Knowledge director David Guazzarotto.
Most employees will happily follow a change process if efforts are made to engage them with it, but organisations should be on the lookout for change "saboteurs", says author Tony Lendrum.
When an organisation's leadership changes, HR professionals should seize the opportunity to become a strategic partner, says workforce strategist Stephen Walker.
Aside from the moral imperative, there is a strong business case for organisations to constantly foster an ethical culture, according to Institute of Executive Coaching director of education, Dr Hilary Armstrong.
If a case for change is not carefully prepared before it is presented to senior staff, "no one will buy into the process", according to a health and safety GM who says pointing to past mistakes can be a powerful motivator.
It is not enough to simply communicate a planned change; distinct parties need to prepare people and shape their behaviour, says Being Human managing director Catherine Smithson.
HR managers who carry out large-scale initiatives without applying project-management principles and tools risk wasting money and undermining their credibility, says Adaps organisational psychologist Joshua Wood.
All employers should consider putting in place a workplace s-xual harassment prevention plan, even though such plans are only expressly prescribed in one jurisdiction, according to a risk management expert.
Recent events have shone a spotlight on whistleblowing, placing employers firmly on notice that their response to a protected disclosure could be subject to intense scrutiny. Watch this webcast to understand the role HR plays in this challenging space.
