Covid-19 puts stress on HR
Could it be said that people management through this turbulent time is perhaps one of the most stressful careers to be in? Research from employee engagement company Reward Gateway found a lack of resources, time, and money has made 2020 the most challenging year ever experienced by 71% of HR professionals.
Other human resources trends
With many companies adopting artificial intelligence over the last 12 months, and most now operating digitally day to day, HR professionals will be challenged over the coming year, not only with recruiting employees with the right IT skills, but ensuring new and existing employees are able to work remotely effectively and efficiently.
The evolution to remote working has highlighted, and will continue to highlight, the need for HR professionals to look at remote ways of monitoring and supporting performance, and maintaining wellbeing, among employees.
In May 2020, an incident of police brutality in Minneapolis, USA, saw an African American man, George Floyd, killed. The Black Lives Matter movement reignited following this incident, putting diversity, inclusion and belonging high on the workplace agenda. All human resources professionals know that workplaces play a vital role in challenging and changing perceptions, bringing a diverse group of people together in one organisation to work collaboratively towards common visions and goals.
As a result, diversity, inclusion and belonging and change management roles are in higher demand. Over the coming year, more employers will need to look at their inclusion strategy as the best talent will be deterred without it.
HR salaries and benefits
A Reed survey of 124 industry professionals helped inform the content in our Human Resources Salary Guide 2021.
Only 59% of those who took part said that they were currently satisfied with their salary. Of the 41% who were unhappy with their current pay, one-third cited the fact that they are having to do much more than their job role specifies.
Given the dependence on HR teams at present, businesses should be concerned that a combined 45% either know or believe that they would be paid more if they were to change role.
As part of the survey, professionals were also asked to list all the benefits they receive, as well as selecting the top five benefits they find most attractive. Workplace/family flexibility (63%) and remote working (71%) are very common add-ons for HR professionals, while over half of those surveyed receive life insurance, a generous pension and health insurance. The most popular desired benefits featured health insurance (54%) and flexibility (56%), while most survey participants (56%) also indicated interest in a greater amount of paid time off.
Regional salary highlights for HR
Reed’s 2021 HR Salary Guide enables you to benchmark salaries for some of the most popular roles in the sector. Overall, the HR industry saw a 1.9% growth in average salaries across the UK. Here are some of the key highlights:
London saw a 1.6% salary decrease. With a 7.6% decrease in reward manager salaries and 5.3% increase in training manager salaries.
Northern Ireland was witness to a 6.8% salary decrease.
Scotland saw 6.4% average salary growth across the industry. Training manager salaries went up 10%, and HR administrator roles increased by 6.8%.
Yorkshire and Humberside saw 0.7% growth, with HR advisors in the area seeing 5.6% growth on average.
For more information on what you could be earning, or the salaries you should be paying, download Reed's free Human Resources 2024 Salary Guide now. The guide contains insight and salary data for the industry across the UK, and will help you make informed decisions in the year ahead.
