HR prospects survey: the profession speaks

More than 430 human resources directors and senior managers talk about their hopes, fears and biggest challenges in IRS Employment Review's annual HR prospects survey.

The survey finds that HR managers continue to see bread-and-butter issues such as absence management, recruitment and restructuring as their main priorities. It also reveals that complying with the Employment Act 2002 has been a priority for many, while others cite more general legal compliance as a challenge over the past year.

Training, the annual pay review and health and safety have also been mentioned as significant issues for many HR professionals.

  • Part 1 - Overview   A snapshot of the key issues in HR today.

  • Part 2 - Organisational priorities    Everyday problems have most impact on the work of HR professionals.

  • Part 3 - Pay and benefits   Approaches to remuneration and benefits are becoming increasingly strategic.

  • Part 4 - Recruiting and retaining    Efforts to combat difficulties in recruitment and retention are often cautious and limited.

  • Part 5 - Health and wellbeing   Absence management is still the most challenging health and safety issue for HR managers.

  • Part 6 - Flexible working  The new statutory entitlement for parents of young or disabled children to request flexible working is expected to boost staff retention, but employers remain concerned about the headaches associated with the provisions.

  • Part 7 - HR initiatives  From successful casework management to issues of high strategy, respondents cited an impressive range of personal achievements over the past 12 months.

    Also

    Good for business, good for employees   Introducing the second annual IRS HR prospects survey, employment relations minister Alan Johnson argues that new employment rights will ease recruitment problems and cut costs.

    HR professionals speak out   Read the reports of last year's IRS HR prospects survey.