A new study highlights a significant training gap among HR professionals, impacting business dynamics.
- Mid-level managers have seen increased responsibilities, with 54% handling tasks outside their initial job description.
- Despite the evolution of roles, 71% of HR professionals report inadequate employer-provided training and support.
- Key challenges identified include hybrid working complexities, need for emotional intelligence, and dealing with neurodiversity.
- Effective training is deemed essential for HR managers to navigate the rapidly changing workplace environment.
In a rapidly evolving business environment, a recent study reveals that 70% of HR professionals feel they lack adequate training and support from their employers, which is crucial given their expanding responsibilities. This lack of preparation could lead to significant challenges within organisations, as mid-level managers adapt to roles that have become more complex over time.
Since the onset of their current roles, a striking 54% of mid-level managers have assumed tasks beyond their initial job descriptions. This is in stark contrast to 35% at assistant levels and 28% at leadership positions. Such an increase in responsibilities underscores the pivotal role that HR professionals play in a company’s structure, but it also raises questions about the support they receive to succeed in these roles.
HR professionals are facing a nuanced shift in their work environments. With 15% acknowledging that their duties have outgrown those of their predecessors, the scope and intricacy of those duties have escalated, necessitating a higher degree of emotional intelligence (EQ) and sensitivity when managing personnel.
The introduction of hybrid working models adds another layer of complexity, as acknowledged by 23% of HR personnel. Managing teams across virtual and physical spaces requires new skills and strategies, leaving traditional methods inadequate. Moreover, 23% also reported an increased need to understand and appropriately address neurodiversity within the workforce.
Quotes from industry leaders suggest that there is a critical need for upskilling and comprehensive in-house training to ensure that both established HR professionals and newcomers are prepared for their roles. As Doug Rode, Managing Director at Michael Page UK&I, articulates, “HR managers are at the coalface of a business, and it’s critical they are properly prepared. This is where upskilling and in-house training will be vital.”
In conclusion, without substantial training and support, HR professionals may struggle to meet the rising demands of their evolving roles, potentially impacting organisational effectiveness.
