Organisations are becoming adaptable in terms of how they offer flexibility in an attempt to meet the desires of the top HR professionals.

EMPLOYER TRENDS SEEN ACROSS HUMAN RESOURCES AT THE START OF 2019

Across Financial Services, the start of 2019 saw a high volume of roles coming from Asset Management and Investment Management, as well as a number of FinTech and Payment companies. Flexibility and the opportunity for a good work-life balance are now crucial aspects of HR jobs and are major pulling factors for professionals. Companies are starting to be adaptable in how they offer this, be it working from home or condensing hours as a whole.

Companies offering strong Talent Management and Learning and Development opportunities continue to retain their top professionals as they are generally the ones who value the chance to improve their career prospects. Performance related bonuses, even for Fixed Term Contract candidates when they complete projects, have also increased in popularity as organisations look for alternative ways to attract top professionals.

WHAT HAVE PROFESSIONALS DONE TO SUCCEED IN THEIR ROLES?

Key experiences and skills that have led to success included:

• Change and stakeholder management - this can be attributed to the changing HR market and the need for advice or management in complex environments
• HR systems skills, specifically SAP, SuccessFactors and Workday
• Languages - more specifically the ability to recruit recruiters with foreign languages to assist with Brexit related challenges

Brexit has also caused an ongoing lack of commitment from both hirers and applicants as processes are being extended and roles are being put on hold.

WHAT HAS INFLUENCED HUMAN RESOURCES RECRUITMENT?

As mentioned, Brexit is unsettling the market, as is IR35 on the interim side of things, but there is still a high volume of available roles as organisations require HR specialists to advise them through whatever changes occur.

Legislative changes due in 2019 are likely to increase the need for certain HR professionals. These changes include itemised pay slips for all works, the increase of ‘aggravated’ breach of employment penalty to £20K, as well as the review of Acas early conciliation scheme and flexible working regulations.