How We Work Podcast: Chris French Looks Ahead to the 2022 Workplace | Workhuman

TL;DR

The human workplace made progress in 2021, but challenges remain such as the great resignation, psychological safety, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 2022, companies must focus on enhancing human connection, redefining metrics, modernizing compensation, and transforming the HR function to create more inclusive and connected workplaces.

Transcript

welcome to how we work from work human a podcast about the trends issues relationships and phenomena that shape our workplaces i'm mike lovett it's january 2022 and with the turning of the calendar we are reflecting on 2021 and projecting into the new year to try to anticipate what opportunities and challenges lay ahead when i say we i am mainly re... Read More

Key Insights

• 🍝 The challenges of the past year underscore the importance of prioritizing human connection in the workplace.
• 👯 Metrics and technology should be leveraged to measure the impact of people strategies in real time.
• 🪡 Compensation models need to be more agile and incorporate continuous recognition and rewards.
• 🥰 The function of HR needs to evolve to become a facilitator of culture, focusing on creating inclusive and connected workplaces.
• ❓ Rethinking workplace practices, such as bonuses and recognition, can have a significant impact on employee engagement and retention.
• 🥰 HR leaders should leverage the power of the crowd to create a recognition culture that sustains itself.
• 🥳 Moments of celebration and connection should be embraced as opportunities to foster a sense of belonging and community.
• 🤞 Despite the challenges, there is hope and optimism as companies prioritize the well-being and fulfillment of their employees.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the human workplace fare in 2021?

In 2021, the intention to create human workplaces increased, but progress was hindered by challenges such as the great resignation, mental health issues, and diversity and inclusion gaps.

Q: Will psychological safety and the great resignation continue into 2022?

Yes, psychological safety remains crucial, especially with the cumulative effect of remote work on human connection. The great resignation is expected to persist as employees seek workplaces where they feel connected and valued.

Q: How can companies improve their workplaces to attract and retain employees?

Companies need to focus on fostering human connection, redefining metrics that measure the impact of people strategies, adopting more agile and real-time compensation models, and reimagining the HR function as a facilitator of culture rather than just a manager of policies.

Q: How can companies effectively address diversity, equity, and inclusion?

Companies should move beyond awareness and training programs by incorporating real-time interventions, using AI tools to address biases in hiring, and implementing ongoing coaching and feedback to drive inclusive behaviors and cultures.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In 2021, companies showed increased intention to create human workplaces, but progress was limited due to the challenges surrounding the pandemic, hybrid work, and health concerns. The great resignation, loneliness, and mental health issues were prominent themes.

• Psychological safety has evolved, with remote work impacting human connection and the need to find new ways to create a sense of belonging and connection among employees.

• The great resignation is expected to continue into 2022, underscoring the importance of creating workplaces where employees feel connected, valued, and part of a larger purpose.

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives have made some progress, but more effective strategies are needed, focusing on real-time interventions, micro-coaching, and using AI tools to address bias.