What can HR leaders expect in 2025? Three commentators offer predictions on technology, flexible working, and productivity.
This year brought big changes to the world of human resources. Debate rages on about the differences between working remotely and in the office, the effectiveness and importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and whether HR is hindering productivity. Meanwhile, landmark legal reforms have come into force, including flexible labor laws and new obligations to protect workers from sexual harassment, with the new government’s Pay for Work campaign pushing for further changes. It was done.
With this rollercoaster year in mind, we asked HR leaders what they expect to see in 2025 and how they plan to meet the challenges ahead.
AI continues to transform HR
Toria Walters, chief human resources officer (CPO) at digital transformation company ANS, predicted that AI will automate more tasks and free up HR professionals to focus on decision-making.
“AI helps automate tasks like scheduling interviews and data entry, freeing teams to focus on higher-value activities like building a diverse culture, delivering personalized development, and increasing employee engagement.” ,” she told HR magazine. “As we move into 2025, tools like Microsoft’s Co-pilot and advanced generative AI will provide real-time insights, automate complex tasks, and support decision-making.”
Read more: Is the AI bubble about to burst?
She also predicted that AI would enhance, rather than replace, the role of human resources. “Concerns about AI replacing jobs remain. But in reality, AI will enhance roles, empower HR professionals to upskill, and move them from administrative tasks to more human-focused and strategic work.” It’s giving us an opportunity to shift,” Walters added.
Employers prioritize flexible working
The Government has indicated that it intends to use the Employment Bill of Rights to extend current obligations on flexible working. Flexible working is already a right from day one thanks to legislation introduced by the previous Conservative government, which comes into force from 1 April 2024.
However, the new government is seeking to explain this right so that employers can only refuse flexible working if it is reasonable and they must state their reasons.
Barbara Matthews, CPO at HR software provider Remote, predicted in an interview with HR magazine that the legislation would push flexible working to the top of employers’ agendas.
She said: “The new government has signaled far-reaching employment law changes. Few, if any, will come into force in 2025, but there is clearly a cultural shift towards flexible working as the default in the UK. is in progress.
“This change, coupled with government efforts to tackle economic slowdowns and long-term illness, will likely lead more companies to offer flexible working options to employees as part of broader benefits packages. Sho.”
Read more: Award-winning HR: The most flexible working strategy
Matthews added that the flexibility would be especially impactful for working parents, who have limited options for affordable child care.
“Recruiting teams continue to explore opportunities to fill the growing skills gap in nearly every industry, and providing true flexibility for working parents in particular will be a key enabler for HR teams looking to acquire talent in 2025. “It’s going to be an important option,” she said.
Leaders drive productivity improvements
Productivity is estimated to be 1.8% lower in the third quarter of 2024 compared to a year ago, according to the ONS.
Rachel Farley, a partner at Heidrick & Struggles professional services consulting firm, said leaders will push their HR teams to be more productive next year.
Farley told HR magazine:
“Employee productivity has become critical for CPOs, and this also brings new challenges. CPOs are increasing their focus on talent and productivity by adopting ways of working other than 40-hour weeks. will be harmonized.
“This will require CPOs to have deep knowledge of the business’s key commercial levers and innovation to find human ways to grow sustainably.”
