Survey Finds New HR Professionals Make Up 46% of the Industry

A new survey found that C-Suite executives believe there is a lack of HR support at their organization due to new HR professionals making a large chunk of the field rather than senior workers. One of the key takeaways from the Paycor HR report was that nearly half of the HR professionals had only been in their role for two years or less, signaling a dearth of HR experts to guide them in the right direction. HR teams are essential in many functions within an organization and they steer the workforce towards harmony and productivity in a way that employers cannot on their own. 

As such, if HR industry trends suggest there is an overwhelming number of new workers in the role, prioritizing their training and on-the-job learning is essential for every organization.

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New HR Professionals Make up 46% of the Industry

The Paycor HR report made a detailed exploration into the state of the workplace and the various concerns around it. Among the worries of high turnover rates among new hires and the presence of AI within the workplace, we saw a very interesting update about HR professionals and their place in an organization. The report states that 46 percent of the ranks of HR are made up of new HR professionals who have been in their roles for two years or less. 

The HR field is not new and it has had a long robust history of changing the workplace so where are the senior workers now? The study did not have an answer for this particular question but did find that workers who had been at an organization for less than two years were considered flight risks. Newer employees were 38 percent more likely to leave to find a new job in the next 12 months. If these two stats were to be combined, a large migration of new HR professionals to other roles could leave a business in a very difficult situation. 

Additionally, 71 percent of the C-Suite executives felt that managers at their organization were ineffective. While others in the organization blamed this occurrence primarily on burnout, C-Suite executives were of the mind that it was due to a lack of HR support. They considered HR to be “owners of leadership development” and it’s true that HR does have a big role to play in aiding and guiding leaders. If HR support is to be treated as the backbone of an organization, then efforts to retain HR employees need to be addressed on priority.

HR Industry Trends Suggest Organizations Lean Towards Prioritizing HR

In any organization, HR needs to be recognized as a strategic partner that can help bring the organization together and build cohesion across the business. The role of HR needs to extend beyond their routine tasks of managing payroll and attendance, tasks that can be outsourced to Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS), so their energy can be better spent on tasks such as supporting the managers with their role. 

AI trends and the rise of automated systems mean that many of the menial tasks that preoccupy HR teams can be handled by software exclusively designed for it while HR professionals apply their insights elsewhere.

Of course, it’s easier to do this with senior HR experts who know how to navigate through their roles expertly. New HR professionals could lack the skill and expertise that C-Suite executives expect from them, which means that onboarding and training them needs to be put first. The more training these HR professionals are provided, the better they will be able to develop a keen eye for what needs to be changed within the company. 

How To Support New HR Professionals

Once a problem has been identified, the next step is to strategize and begin to address it. If HR professionals are currently too young and inexperienced to support organizations in the way that is expected of them, then training and feedback are the best ways to help them grow. The more a company invests in the career of their employees, the more likely employees are to feel valued by their organization. 

Provide Improved Onboarding

Employees who are trained properly by their predecessors can perform their roles much better. Review and improve the onboarding process regularly.

Clarify the Goals of HR

In the study, C-Suite expected HR professionals to have a greater role in creating good managers but the rest of the surveyed did not consider it a priority. When creating new HR roles, it helps to establish clear guidelines for performing said role so there is no confusion about the various responsibilities. 

Invest in Mentorship Programs

New HR professionals can learn a lot from their seniors. Create mentorship programs that help them connect closely with more senior members of their team to understand the organization and its workings better.

Encourage HR Professionals to Network

HR professionals can learn from their peers just as easily as from seniors. Encourage HR teams to build a network with other professionals in the industry. As an employer, you can also help them attend events where they can form these connections. 

Create Opportunities to Bring HR Closer to Other Departments

The HR role extends beyond any one department and their decisions affect the entire organization. They are often seen as the “villains” and employees tend to avoid them as much as possible, which is counterproductive. 

HR teams need to try and familiarize themselves with the teams within their organization so they can understand their concerns better. Socializing and communicating is a big part of their role. Create communication channels and special opportunities for the HR teams to interact with the rest of the workforce.

Track HR Industry Trends

Any progress within the industry might also be beneficial for your organization. Look into industry trends to understand popular strategies and software that are in use, so you can invest in them for your own teams.

Provide Access to All the Resources That Are Relevant to Their Role

New HR professionals will not be clued in on where they can find the data they need. Provide them with access to all the information relevant to their roles so they can conduct their own investigations and surveys into what the organization needs.

Conduct Regular Reviews and Collect Feedback From Employees

Employees can speak from experience and tell you what kind of support they need as well as what changes are necessary within the workplace. Work with the HR teams to conduct surveys and collect data on how best HR can support your teams.

Conduct Regular Training And Certification Programs 

One of the top HR recommendations for employers is to regularly train HR teams on the latest changes in the industry and guide them on how to use the tools and technology available. The more familiar they are with the intricacies of their role and the technology available to support them, the better they can perform.

If you agree with the Paycor HR report and feel that your organization needs more support from HR, these are some ways to bolster the HR team and work with them to grow the organization.

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