2020 taught HR leaders and hiring managers how critical it is to adapt their hiring plans to meet the new job landscape. There’s a good chance we will see even more shifts in the job market as the pandemic continues, the economy changes as a result, and COVID-19 vaccines are rolled out. Here are some 2021 hiring trends and insights predicted by employment website Monster.com to watch for:
1. Remote work will be the norm. Many organizations were quickly thrown into managing a remote workforce when the pandemic started. Remote flexibility was the second largest workplace policy change made by employers in 2020, according to research conducted by Monster. Working from home has allowed organizations to maintain safety protocols and continue to keep business moving forward. Overall, telecommuting was proven to be a successful way to work in 2020. When things return to normal, it’s likely that many companies will still operate remotely, at least partially.
2. Training current employees to expand their skill sets to fill roles will become critical. Although the unemployment rate is increasing, employers are finding it challenging to fill roles with qualified candidates. In 2021, we will likely see more organizations that engage in “upskilling” to train current workers to learn other skills that will help the company in areas that they are unable to fill positions with talented candidates. Consider finding those team members with transferrable skills that could fit well in the critical roles you need to fill.
3. There will be a focus on diversity and inclusion in hiring. 86% of candidates globally say that diversity, equity, and inclusion at work is important to them, and 62% of professionals would even turn down a job offer from a workplace that didn’t support diversity. Make sure to include across your brand messaging and job descriptions that you’re committed to diversity and inclusion. Focus on hiring individuals from a diverse array of backgrounds. Experience and qualifications shouldn’t be the sole things you hire based on. Look for traits like enthusiasm, adaptability, and creativity in EHS job candidates, which can help drive your organization forward. Candidates with these types of qualities are able to learn quickly and bring a positive attitude to the workplace.
4. Job candidates will want to know that your company is maintaining a safe workplace. Safety is a top priority for job applicants during the pandemic. Consider including your COVID-19 safety protocols in your job descriptions and on your career websites. It’s essential for your recruitment efforts to demonstrate that you care about the safety and health of your staff and that you’re taking implementing specific practices, such as social distancing, wearing masks, and sanitizing.
It’s difficult to make solid hiring predictions for 2021 amidst the pandemic. Staying on top of EHS workplace trends and insights as we move forward into the first quarter of the new year will be crucial in helping your organization navigate hiring.
Resources:
2021 Hiring Trends: Monster’s Predictions for the New Year, Monster, Hiring.Monster.com.
3 EHS Trends Defining How Americans Will Work in 2021, Custom Truck One Source, CustomTruck.com.