The modern-day working environment is constantly changing and developing. While most of these changes are improving the workplace and employee experience — some of these changes are not so beneficial.

Human resource professionals squared off against various challenges in the past few years. However, the pandemic has set off new and unparalleled challenges for HR departments all across the globe.

The Great Resignation has created labor shortages while businesses are struggling to implement new work models to benefit employees. Additionally, there’s an urgent need for emphasis on DEI in workplaces.

Here are some of the greatest challenges in the workplaces that require urgent HR management solutions in the UAE.

Challenge #1: Improving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diversity remains a critical and controversial issue in human resources.

HR managers are struggling to incorporate DEI aims into the broader company goals. DEI initiatives are important to address and overcome bias, discrimination, harassment, and unfair wages at the workplace.

This proves to be a major issue as DEI is the key to a healthy organizational culture. Without diversity and inclusion, companies will have to deal with an unsatisfied and unproductive workforce.

However, that’s not all as diversity plays a critical role in company branding and in attracting top talent. Today, more and more employees want to work for organizations that offer their employees a sense of belonging. Did you know that 76% of job seekers and employees claim that diversity in the workplace is a major factor in evaluating an organization?

It is vital that HR managers keep DEI on top of their priority list in 2022 and the coming years. Assess and evaluate the current state of DEI in your company and identify key issues. Next, set your company goals and determine where you want to be in terms of DEI in the workplace. Finally, assign resources and funds to meet your objectives and see the change.

Challenge #2: Ensuring Employee Engagement

Employee engagement is one of the major concerns human resource departments are facing currently. It is an evaluation system that indicates how motivated your employees are. The rate of your employee engagement can have a major impact on various parts of your workforce, such as employee retention.

In the initial years of the pandemic, employee engagement metrics rose upward because of transparency. However, that’s not the case anymore, with the focus shifting on employees returning to the office.

HR managers must address challenges pertaining to employee engagement. They can do this by improving communication and transparency to help employees find their role in the company’s goals. HR software with employee performance evaluation systems are tools that can help HR assure employee aims are in alignment with company goals. That’s because this software enables employees to be involved in the evaluation process and makes them feel more invested in their work.

Challenge #3: Attracting and Retaining Talent

Talent acquisition is one of the greatest challenges HR professionals are experiencing this year.

Moreover, the global talent shortage, now referred to as the Great Resignation, has also created staggering labor shortages for companies. Organizations across the world are struggling to find top talent to fill vacant roles.

Competitive wages and employee benefits packages are now critical for those HR professionals that are looking to attract talent. Moreover, employees are also looking for meaningful experiences and a bigger sense of purpose in an organization — something that HR teams need to ensure at the workplace.

Challenge #4: Adapting to Remote Work

The pandemic first forced organizations to implement remote and hybrid work models. As things are getting back on track, many companies want their employees to return to the office. However, the trend of remote work seems to be here to stay.

Many employees are enjoying the perks of flexibility and comfort that remote work offers. The collective experience of pandemic work has left a lasting impact on the workforce. It’s important HR departments realize that the work environment is very unlikely to return to the way it was before the pandemic.

To put this into perspective, a report by Microsoft explains that 52% of Millennials and Gen Z ‘zoomers’ in the workforce are likely to quit and change employers due to this. 53% of employees are more likely to put their mental health above work. More than that, a staggering 66% of workers admitted they’d think of quitting if asked to return back to work from the office.

That’s why it’s vital that HR departments train remote team members to work from home more effectively. They should provide the tools and technology for efficient work. Additionally, training sessions should be introduced to improve communication and collaboration.

Want to ensure a productive workspace? Then consider DLI-IT Group’s HR management solutions in UAE to make HR processes more efficient.

DLI-IT Group is an HR solutions provider offering premium HR IT solutions in Dubai to ensure smooth HR operations. With their software, they’re streamlining HR functions and making them more efficient. Their services include time and attendance software, Cloud payroll SaaS, biometric attendance software, performance management software, etc.