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Polyworking: Opportunity or Overload? Examining the Pros and Cons

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Polyworking: Opportunity or Overload? Examining the Pros and Cons

The traditional notion of a single, full-time job is being challenged by the rise of polyworking, a phenomenon where individuals juggle multiple professional roles. 

Driven by factors such as the gig economy, remote work opportunities, and a desire for greater flexibility and income diversification, polywork is rapidly gaining traction. 

But is this trend a positive development or a cause for concern? 

Insights from HR experts and business leaders in this post explore the complexities of polyworking, analyzing its pros and cons for both employees and employers, and examining its potential to reshape the future of the workforce.

Read on!

Silvia Angeloro
Executive Coach, Resume Mentor

I believe that polyworking, in which people work on many occupations or projects at the same time, will undoubtedly affect the future of employment. 

It’s more than simply a fad; more and more people demand flexibility in their professions. 

I’ve observed friends who balance a full-time job with a side business or freelance work. It allows people to pursue multiple interests rather than relying on a single source of income.

On the plus side, it allows employees a lot of independence. You don’t have to stay in the same role for years, and you can explore new opportunities without giving up your day job. 

However, I’ve discovered that it can also contribute to burnout. The thrill of juggling multiple projects can quickly turn into fatigue if you don’t manage your time.

For employers, it’s complicated. 

On the one hand, companies want to retain talented personnel, but those same employees may be performing additional work on the side. It forces businesses to reconsider how they assess productivity and focus on outcomes rather than hours.

Jean Chen
COO & CHRO, Mondressy

Polyworking, the practice of balancing multiple jobs or projects simultaneously, is more than just a trend; it’s increasingly becoming a way to adapt to modern career demands. 

Technology enables this shift, allowing people to work flexibly and explore different fields. 

For employees, it offers the chance to diversify skills and spread income streams, reducing reliance on a single employer. Imagine a graphic designer freelancing on diverse projects while running an online shop—each role enriching the other through new skills and perspectives.

For employers, tapping into a polyworking talent pool means bringing in fresh ideas and varied experiences. However, it also raises challenges like ensuring commitment and managing confidentiality. 

One effective method for companies is implementing clear guidelines and open communication channels, ensuring alignment on priorities.

Polyworking might reshape employment norms, as both individuals and companies lean towards versatile working arrangements. 

Future workplaces might focus on project-based engagements, customized roles, and niche expertise, fostering environments where continuous skill development is key. 

This approach isn’t just a passing fad; it’s a strategic evolution in the workplace, enhancing adaptability and innovation.

Clooney Wan
Founder and CEO, TrackingMore

Polyworking has been a mainstay in most remote work settings since the onset of the pandemic in early 2020. 

However, I do not consider it the future of work. 

Polyworking is simply moonlighting, which is frowned upon in most employment settings and breaks trust between employer and employee.

Polyworking will continue for a while with all the uncertainty surrounding some industries as a result of AI and Machine Learning. However, as businesses refocus their priorities on people, they will want dedicated employees who are loyal to their brands. 

Moreover, issues with employment contracts and non-disclosure agreements will make polyworking difficult for most employees to manage.

Edo Sagron
Flutter Developer, Sagron

I see polyworking as more than just a trend; it reflects a shift in how people think about careers and personal fulfillment. 

Many professionals today are highly skilled in multiple areas and find that diverse roles keep them engaged and broaden their experience. 

For instance, in my own life, managing both the technical side of multiple personal and client projects as a developer while working for a different company as an integrator AND running my own business and store, has helped me stay energized and inspired. 

It’s a balancing act, but the benefits are tangible: more skills, broader connections, and a wider impact.

For employers, polyworking can bring flexibility and a diversity of skill sets to teams, which can be an asset, especially for smaller businesses. 

The challenge, though, lies in ensuring commitment and setting clear expectations. Employees may need more flexibility, but there’s also an opportunity here to redefine productivity based on results rather than hours.

In short, polyworking seems to me like a natural evolution in the workplace that, when managed well, could lead to better alignment between professional goals and personal interests.

Naomi Clarke
Head of HR & Chief Diversity Officer, Flingster

I believe polyworking aligns well with the evolving work landscape, especially for Gen Z. This generation is naturally inclined to multitask and explore diverse interests, often thriving in dynamic environments. 

The potential benefits of polyworking include increased autonomy, varied income streams, and the opportunity for individuals to pursue different passions, contributing to personal growth and job satisfaction.

However, while polyworking can be a boon for employees seeking flexibility, it can be tricky for us hiring managers. Employers may face concerns over divided attention and potential conflicts of interest, impacting productivity and engagement. 

To balance this, clear policies and open dialogue about workload expectations are the way to go. Employers that embrace polyworking by supporting flexible schedules and fostering trust can turn this trend into an asset, retaining talent that values independence and adaptability. 

Polyworking is more than a passing trend—it may redefine traditional work structures and talent management for the better.

Laurie Williams
Founder, Man and Van UK

Polyworking is more than a passing trend. I believe it has the potential to change the way we think about employment by encouraging diverse skills and experiences. In my own experience, employees who manage more than one role often bring fresh ideas and a wider perspective to the team, which benefits everyone involved. 

This shift may gradually reshape traditional career paths, as people explore opportunities that build a more varied skill set. By adapting to this change, workplaces can foster environments that are both versatile and inspiring.

Employees might be strongly motivated by the opportunity to experiment with diverse revenue streams and acquire skills in a variety of professions through polyworking. For instance, in order to have a more varied working life, one of my drivers also works as a freelance photographer. 

By providing flexibility without the commitment of full-time recruiting, project-based hiring allows employers to access specialized skills. 

Employers may need to modify their expectations around availability and involvement, though, as juggling numerous responsibilities necessitates setting clear boundaries to prevent burnout. This system can benefit both sides if there is effective communication.

In my business, I have worked with a digital marketer who also manages their own online projects, which allows them to bring fresh, up-to-date insights into our marketing efforts. This kind of arrangement is ideal for us because it brings in talent on a flexible basis without long-term constraints. 

Another example is hiring a web developer for a particular project, which gives us specialized skills right when we need them, without adding to our permanent team. 

To make these relationships work, both sides need clear guidelines and regular check-ins to keep expectations aligned. This way, both the employee and the employer can get the best from each other.

Polyworking appears to be more than a trend, offering a genuine evolution in the way we view work. 

By finding a balance that respects both flexibility and structure, I believe we can build workplaces that support growth and variety for everyone involved.

Christine Dalayap
Business Executive Manager, JP Franklin Roofing

Polyworking—balancing multiple roles, often across industries—is more than a trend; it’s a powerful shift in the employment landscape that’s here to stay. 

This model appeals to talent seeking variety and control over their careers and provides companies with a pool of diverse, adaptive skills.

Imagine a digital marketer who freelances while working part-time in content strategy. Companies gain flexible expertise without long-term overhead, while employees enjoy autonomy and growth opportunities.

For employers, polyworking presents a chance to access specialized skills on demand, especially in rapidly changing fields like tech or digital media. But it does come with challenges: managers may need to help to maintain team cohesion and to ensure commitment when employees juggle multiple roles.

From the employee side, the flexibility is liberating but requires strong self-discipline to avoid burnout. 

As companies adjust, effective talent management will increasingly focus on performance outcomes over hours clocked in, reshaping our traditional views on employment.

Ken Marshall
Chief Strategy Officer, Revenuezen

As someone who has had no less than 2 side hustles through 3 jobs, owning 2 agencies, and making it through 3 exits, I can tell you that it’s my preferred way of working and has always made sense to me. 

It’s become clear to younger generations that their employers aren’t going to give them a raise each year, pay a generous pension, or give them that gold watch after 30 years of dedicated service. 

They see the layoffs on the news everyday and grew up in multiple economic downturns. So their response of maximizing their income by being efficient is logical. 

It’s not a fad because the underlying economic and cultural trends driving this behavior are continuing in the same direction. 

I think that employers should stop and ask themselves “am I creating a work environment where incentives to my team are aligned with OUTCOMES and not simply being busy working on tasks?” 

If you align job descriptions and responsibilities of your employees with clear business outcomes, you start to care a lot less about how and where they spend their time.

Josh Qian
COO and Co-Founder,  Best Online Cabinets

I recognize that polyworking is not just a trend but a potential cornerstone of the future workplace. 

This approach allows employees to engage in multiple roles, which can enhance their creativity and problem-solving abilities. 

For instance, a team member who works in customer service might also take on a role in product development, leading to insights that improve our offerings based on direct customer feedback. 

From an employer’s standpoint, polyworking can help attract a diverse talent pool. Many professionals today seek flexibility and variety in their careers, and offering a polyworking environment can make us more competitive in attracting top talent. 

While it offers flexibility and the opportunity to diversify skills, it can lead to challenges that not everyone can handle. For some people, the pressure to manage multiple roles can be overwhelming, leading to stress and burnout. 

Only some people thrive in an environment where they must juggle various responsibilities, especially if they prefer a more structured and focused work style. 

Certain roles also require deep specialization, and polyworking may dilute expertise and focus. 

Polyworking can drive innovation by blending diverse skill sets but also necessitates a shift in performance metrics. 

Instead of traditional KPIs focused solely on individual output, we may need to adopt more holistic measures that evaluate collaboration and impact across various roles.

David Berwick
IT Recruitment consultant and business owner, Adria Solutions

Working as a specialist recruitment consultant for over 20 years, I have noticed a growing pressure for professionals in tech, digital and marketing professionals to have a side gig or side project. 

Junior web developers, for instance, are expected to have their own website or portfolio of websites. Meanwhile, social media managers are expected to be influencers/content creators and be active on several social media platforms. 

Recruiters and hiring managers value the previous experience a side job gives candidates. 

However, most employers will also prefer that their employees focus all their energy on one job they’re getting paid for, with the exception of start-up founders, who often understand and benefit from working with professionals who are also developing their own ideas or companies hiring part-time or on a contractor basis. 

Many employers hesitate to hire someone with a side job or project because they fear they wouldn’t be fully committed to their company. 

Said that, if companies want to attract employees who have other jobs, they can opt for contractors or offer further flexibility, such as shorter/comprised working hours, a four-day working week, flexible time and part-time options.

The HR Spotlight team thanks these industry leaders for offering their expertise and experience and sharing their insights.

Do you wish to contribute to the next HR Spotlight article? Or is there an insight or idea you’d like to share with readers across the globe?

Write to us at connect@HRspotlight.com, and our team will share your insights.

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2024 in Review: HR Lessons from a Transformative Year

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2024 in Review: HR Lessons from a Transformative Year

The year 2024 presented HR with a unique set of challenges, demanding agility, innovation, and a renewed focus on the employee experience. 

From navigating RTO negotiations and finding the balance between organization and workforce to helping employees leverage the advantages of newly introduced AI tools and platforms, HR professionals have been at the forefront of navigating a rapidly changing world of work. 

In this post, we dive into the key lessons our community of HR and business leaders learned during what proved to be a transformative year with key insights on how they adapted, what they learned, and how these experiences will shape their strategies moving forward in 2025.

Read on!

Alysha M. Campbell
Founder & CEO, CultureShift HR

Adaptability And Compassion Are Lifelines

2024 taught me that adaptability and compassion aren’t just leadership qualities—they’re lifelines. 

Last year, I saw how small, intentional shifts—like offering flexible working hours for parents balancing childcare or using mental health check-ins—had a ripple effect on morale and productivity. These actions turned stress into trust and uncertainty into connection.

One standout tool last year was AI. 

From streamlining recruitment processes to enhancing employee engagement with predictive analytics, AI showed us how technology can complement, not replace, the human side of HR. For example, using AI-driven sentiment analysis helped identify early signs of burnout, allowing us to intervene before it escalated.

In 2025, I plan to double down on creating intentional spaces for dialog—whether through pulse surveys to assess well-being or workshops equipping managers with empathetic leadership tools. 

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers but being willing to listen, evolve, and embrace innovation alongside your team. 

AI will continue to play a pivotal role in enhancing, not overshadowing, the human experience at work.

Ashish Gaur
HR Consultant

Empathy And Agility Define Success

The HR lesson 2024 taught me was the critical importance of adaptability and empathy in a rapidly changing work environment. 

The past year underscored that employees are not just resources but humans navigating challenges like evolving technologies, economic uncertainty, and personal well-being struggles. As AI and automation integrated further into workplaces, it became evident that human-centric leadership-where empathy meets agility-defines organizational success. 

In 2024, I learned that fostering trust and emotional intelligence is key to retaining talent and boosting performance. Employees today value connection, purpose, and personalized development over traditional perks. Ignoring these shifts risks disengagement and turnover. 

Going forward in 2025, this realization will reshape my approach to HR practices. 

I will prioritize employee well-being by strengthening mental health programs, flexible work models, and skills-based development plans. I will advocate for data-driven decision-making but ensure that technology enhances, rather than replaces, human connection. 

Building a culture of continuous feedback, innovation, and inclusivity will be central to my strategy. 

By blending empathy with strategic adaptability, I aim to future-proof the workforce—ensuring employees are resilient, valued, and aligned with organizational goals, even amidst uncertainty. 

This human-centered perspective will guide me as a leader in 2025.

Lekeshia Hicks
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Strategist, Lekeshia Angelique Consulting

Trust And Transparency Are Key

The most profound HR lesson I learned in 2024 was that trust and transparency were the backbone of any thriving workplace. 

Employees are more discerning than ever and want leaders who show up authentically and take action—not just talk about company values. 

The year underscored the importance of listening to employee voices through meaningful dialogue, not just surveys. When teams feel heard, seen, and included, they’re far more engaged and willing to collaborate on solutions.

In 2025, I’ll continue to champion HR practices that put people first—practices that recognize employees as whole individuals with lives and challenges beyond their job titles. 

Prioritizing wellness, fostering psychological safety, and embedding representation at every level will remain non-negotiables. 

The future of HR is not reactive—it’s proactive, human-centered, and rooted in creating cultures where people can truly thrive.

Carolina Caro
CEO, Conscious Leadership Partners

Detachment Enhances Leadership

Last year, I had the profound opportunity to work with individuals who illuminated how deeply our personal baggage and wounds can influence our leadership. 

These experiences showed me that our tendencies to personalize situations often hinder our ability to create the necessary detachment for learning and growth on our leadership journey. 

In 2025, I am committed to empowering my clients—and myself—to embrace tools that enhance our capacity to detach while maintaining effectiveness. 

This balance of emotional intelligence is crucial for achieving high performance without compromising our well-being.

Tiffany Slater
CEO, HR TailorMade, LLC

Connecting Goals And Expectations

Last year, I deepened my commitment to articulating the connection between organizational goals and individual job expectations. 

Often, leaders share organizational objectives but never make the connection to how job expectations impact them. 

This became evident when a client couldn’t understand why their organizational targets were not being achieved. They questioned how team members could achieve their goals and the organizational objectives not come to fruition. 

Unfortunately, I learned that the connection is not a natural leap for many leaders. 

Therefore, our work with clients will explicitly reflect this connection moving forward. 

Our clients’ organizational goals will be the thread that weaves all of the work we do together in our capacity as their HR department.

Joey Price
CEO, Jumpstart HR

AI Will Not Replace HR Professionals

The most profound HR lesson that 2024 taught me was that AI will never replace the value of a strategic HR professional. 

Last year, my firm helped clients navigate employee theft, mental health workplace accommodations, dismissal of executive leaders, and so much more. I couldn’t imagine a bot or algorithm leading the charge in these sorts of sensitive matters in 2025 or even 2055! 

HR leaders who wish to retain their jobs and grow should harness their power to influence organizational morale through sound business acumen, mastery of the law, and the ability to navigate change under pressure.

Elise McCabe
Founder, Career Management Consulting

Communication And Technology Drive Efficiency

As a small business owner, the end of a year offers a valuable opportunity to reflect on the lessons learned and set the direction for the year ahead. For me, there were two impactful realizations last year, which I am committed to continuing to focus on in 2025. 

(1) The awareness of how communication drives collaboration – understanding the critical role communication plays when functions within a business interlink. Misaligned communication can lead to inefficiencies, misunderstandings, and missed opportunities. In 2025 I aim to utilize collaboration platforms that streamline communication and ensure information flows seamlessly. 

(2) Leveraging technology for administrative efficiency – another pivotal lesson has been recognizing the immense value of leveraging technology that allows us to focus on delivering better services to clients. In 2025, my focus will be on streamlining processes to eliminate redundancies and improve turnaround times, and exploring new tools that address efficiency.

William Ryan
Founder & Principal Consultant, Ryan Consulting, LLC

Focus On Individuals, Not Just Work

Reflecting on 2024, the most profound HR lesson I learned was the importance of focusing on individuals and their work environments rather than solely on where and when they work. 

By prioritizing the well-being and growth of each person, we created a more engaged and productive workforce. 

Looking ahead to 2025, I believe HR practices will continue to evolve towards personalized support and flexible work arrangements, ensuring that employees feel valued and empowered in their roles. 

This shift will ultimately lead to more successful and cohesive teams.

Julia Yurchak
Senior Recruitment Consultant, Keller Executive Search

Empathetic Leadership Boosts Engagement

Our biggest HR lesson from 2024 was that empathetic leadership directly impacts the bottom line. 

Data showed that teams with leaders who prioritized understanding employee challenges saw 30% lower turnover and 40% higher engagement scores in our quarterly surveys.

We learned this through real situations: when we gave managers flexibility to adjust deadlines for team members facing personal challenges, projects actually finished faster. 

When we trained leaders to spot early signs of burnout and authorized them to redistribute workloads, productivity improved by 25% quarter-over-quarter.

For 2025, we’re rebuilding our leadership training to make empathy measurable and actionable. 

We’re implementing monthly well-being check-ins, creating clear escalation paths for personal challenges, and adding empathy metrics to performance reviews. 

It’s not about being nice – it’s about being smart. 

The numbers prove that understanding our people’s needs isn’t just good HR – it’s good business.

Joshua Miller
Master Certified Executive Leadership Coach, Joshua Miller Executive Coaching

Future Of Work Is Happening Now

The most profound HR lesson from 2024 was realizing that the ‘future of work’ isn’t something we’re waiting for – it’s happening in real-time, often messily and unpredictably. 

Through coaching numerous organizations navigating hybrid work challenges, layoffs, and AI integration, I’ve observed that companies clinging to rigid policies struggled, while those embracing adaptive leadership thrived. 

What’s fascinating is how the year shattered the myth of universal workplace solutions, as organizations that succeeded were those that stopped searching for the ‘right’ answer and instead created frameworks flexible enough to support multiple right answers. 

Whether it was allowing teams to define their own collaboration rhythms or creating personalized development paths, the winners were those who embraced complexity rather than fighting it. 

Looking ahead to 2025, this means shifting from trying to solve workplace challenges to creating environments where solutions can emerge organically.

The HR Spotlight team thanks these industry leaders for offering their expertise and experience and sharing their insights.

Do you wish to contribute to the next HR Spotlight article? Or is there an insight or idea you’d like to share with readers across the globe?

Write to us at connect@HRSpotlight.com, and our team will help you share your insights.

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Plans and Predictions for 2025: What Will Change HR for the Better?

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Plans and Predictions for 2025: What Will Change HR for the Better?

The HR niche is in constant flux, driven by relentless innovation and evolving workplace and workforce needs. As we kickstart 2025, it’s a critical time to reflect on the trajectory of HR and consider what changes are most needed to ensure a positive and impactful future. 

To gain insight into this crucial question, we turned to the individuals at the forefront and asked HR and business leaders to identify the single most important innovation, shift, transformation, or correction they hope to see in 2025. 

These insights provide a compelling roadmap for the year ahead, revealing the key areas where HR transformation is most essential.

Read on!

Beryl Krinsky
Founder & CEO, B.Komplete

HR Fully Participates in Wellness Programs

Our company B.Komplete partners with HR leaders across the country to develop and lead health and well-being programs. 

Regardless of the location, industry, or title, HR leaders are consistently overworked and do not get to fully participate themselves in the wellness programs. 

We have seen our HR partners plan out a Wellness Fair for their employees – including our chair massage, tasting tables, and wellness stations – the employees love it, and HR is running around trying to ensure all goes smoothly. 

We have seen HR schedule our chair massage and not take time to get a massage themselves. 

And we have also seen our HR partners schedule our onsite cooking demonstration and encourage all of the employees to get their samples before they eat. 

This selfless behavior is very kind; however, it doesn’t allow HR to improve their own health. 

In 2025, I would celebrate a positive shift in which HR fully participates in the corporate wellness programs! 

HR works tirelessly for their employees, and they deserve a massage, a delicious and healthy snack, and a way to reduce stress during the workday.

Tim Toterhi
CHRO, Plotline Leadership

Better Way to Surface Excellence

We need a paradigm shift in staffing. 

The profession has long been criticized for “who you know” bias – that relationships restrict opportunities and sometimes allow ill-qualified applicants to jump the line and secure a position. 

This still happens, of course, but a bigger problem has emerged – “candidate crowding.” 

Since the pandemic and the rise of virtual work, the number of applications received for each opening has proliferated to such a degree that even the most sophisticated HR technology is unable to sort the wheat from the chaff. 

Recruiters are overworked. Candidates are consistently ghosted. And now, ironically, the only effective way to hire or be hired is to embrace the traditional “know a guy” approach. 

It seems reasonable and fair to a degree when everyone understands the rules. 

Swimming in a sea of LinkedIn sameness is the surest way to drown. To survive, you must stand out. 

Unfortunately, for many, that means littering the virtual landscape with rehashed content and adopting a spray-and-pray application strategy. 

But all the clamoring for attention only creates more noise. And many competent, capable candidates are quietly going under. 

If HR needs anything in 2025, it needs a better way to surface excellence – to know the yet unknown.

Niki Ramirez
Founder & Principal Consultant, HRAnswers.org

HR Professionals Get Out from Behind Computers

In 2025, the single most important shift that I’d like to see made in HR would be for human resources professionals to get out from behind their computers. 

Getting out into the workforce will allow HR professionals to align their activities with business goals in a way that truly serves employees and the company’s interests. 

HR professionals can gain a much better understanding of how to act as a strategic partner when they have a working understanding of the business, and the activities that employees engage in day in and day out. 

Whether it is virtual, in-person, or hybrid: spend a week with accounting; learn about quarter-end or year end. Spend time working alongside marketing as they roll out their newest initiative. Ride along on an important sales call. Sit with various service and project professionals and observe their work, learn what they do, try it out for yourself even, where appropriate. 

In order to provide great service to employees and the organization, HR needs to be seen as, and act like an insider. 

Don’t wait to be invited. Get out there and deepen connections and understanding to maximize your contribution as HR professionals.

Tiffany Slater
CEO, HR TailorMade, LLC

HR Seen as Strategic Organizational Contributor

I want to see a shift in how teams view human resources. 

HR should be seen as a strategic, value-adding, and essential organizational contributor. 

Making this shift requires HR professionals to communicate value better—strategically—in a way that aligns with organizational goals and positively impacts organizational culture. 

We must shift to serving as culture curators rather than organizational police, ensuring long-term continuity of joyful work instead of implementing short-sighted tactics to check a box. 

I see the shift happening in pockets, but I would like for the trend to shift gears and move at warp speed.

Heath Gascoigne
Founder & CEO, HOBA Tech

HR Transforms into Strategic Enabler

In 2025, I would most want to witness a transformation in HR that elevates it from a tactical, administrative function to a strategic enabler of organizational success. 

At a US government agency, we helped achieve this by redefining the HR role through a collaborative, vision-driven approach. 

Traditionally, HR business partners were stuck in tactical tasks like managing leave balances and closing sick leave cases. This left no time for strategic activities like workforce planning, identifying skill gaps, or succession planning-essential elements for aligning HR with the organization’s goals.

We began by co-creating a vision: “Be the trusted strategic people partner that helps the business continually improve.” 

This vision was not only signed off by senior leadership but also underpinned by strategies in people, processes, technology, and data. 

Using our VSOM (Vision, Strategies, Objectives, and Measures) framework, we engaged the entire HR division, aligning efforts and expectations across the organization. 

Within days, the shift was palpable-HR was empowered to deliver strategic value, and the business recognized it as a partner in driving continuous improvement. 

This transformation underscored how a clear vision and collaborative alignment can redefine HR as a strategic capability.

Kerri Roberts
Founder & CEO, Salt & Light Advisors

Focus on Professionalism and Business Acumen

I think we’re going to see a big shift ‘back to basics’ in 2025. 

We’ve got a huge skills gap for middle managers as well as within general business acumen for young team members. 

I believe we’ll see a much-needed focus on things like professionalism, business writing, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills. 

We may even see events like leadership development retreats and leadership development programs come back to life!

Meghan Calhoun
Co-Founder & Director of Partner Success, Give River

Employee Recognition and Well-Being Take Center Stage

In 2025, I envision a paradigm shift where employee recognition and well-being take center stage in HR practices. 

Through my experiences founding Give River and developing the 5G Method, I learned that regular recognition boosts employee retention by 52%, significantly reducing turnover costs. This is supported by data showing that engaged employees cost companies far less in lost productivity.

Imagine companies integrating gamification and wellness initiatives custom to foster a culture of gratitude and growth. During a recent survey, companies investing in leadership development reported a return of $7 for every $1 spent, proving the importance of this shift. 

The key lies in making recognition and personal growth cornerstones of the workplace.

This approach is not just theory but something I’ve actively implemented, with Give River enabling teams to keep employees engaged and valued. 

By 2025, I hope more HR departments will adopt these proven methods, enabling healthier and happier work environments, strengthening community and team synergy.

Jeff Roberts
Founder & CEO, Innovation Vista

AI Enhances HR with Proactive Agent

The power of AI is really beginning to show itself in the HR function, with chatbots answering questions directly about policy, and some with the ability to cross-reference employee specifics to apply to that policy as well. 

This opens the door to a promising next step – a proactive “agent AI” that can suggest updates and point out opportunities for employees to maximize their benefits, position themselves for career growth, etc. 

Powering this with AI enables a level of personally tailored recommendations that would be cost-prohibitive to staff in HR departments. 

From maximizing PTO usage to suggesting training/certification opportunities which would qualify the employee for promotions or transfers, this capability would send a clear message to employees that HR is not only here when they have a question, but is actively investing to help them grow and enjoy their employment to the fullest. 

It is an exciting time to be working in HR IT!

Adnan Jiwani
Assistant Manager Digital Marketing, Ivacy VPN

HR Adopts Truly Employee-Centric Flexible Work Models

In 2025, I’d like to see HR fully adopt flexible work models that are truly employee-centric. 

While remote and hybrid work have become more common, many companies still struggle with making these arrangements effective in the long term. 

I’d love to see HR departments focus on creating systems that allow employees to design their own work schedules, with a strong emphasis on work-life balance and mental health. 

For instance, a company could offer employees the ability to choose their hours or work locations based on their personal needs and productivity peaks. 

This shift would promote greater job satisfaction, reduce burnout, and ultimately lead to better employee retention.

Carolyn Bennett Sullivan
CEO & Founder, SAVVY Heart LLC

HR Addresses the Fear and Anxiety of Transitions

According to the 2024 Deloitte human capital trends employees are now facing four major changes at work per year. 

Major change can cause anxiety, stress, self doubt, particularly when communication regarding the change isn’t forthcoming or transparent. 

This leads to low morale, higher sick days, loss and productivity, quiet quitting lack of trust, which has a direct impact on the company bottom line. 

In 2025, I’d like to see HR begin to address the fear and anxiety which routinely occurs during transition beyond stress relief.

Employees need support tools, and strategies to:

– Discuss their emotions in a safe space.

– Rewire their brains to create new thinking and habits which foster their personal and professional growth.

– Create connections with one another, which builds trust, collaboration, and encourages innovation.

The HR Spotlight team thanks these industry leaders for offering their expertise and experience and sharing their insights.

Do you wish to contribute to the next HR Spotlight article? Or is there an insight or idea you’d like to share with readers across the globe?

Write to us at connect@HRSpotlight.com, and our team will help you share your insights.

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The Multigenerational Team Mosaic: Leading a Modern Workforce

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The Multigenerational Team Mosaic: Leading a Modern Workforce

Ever been to a family event where even a conversation between different generations seems impossible and wondered how a workplace with Baby Boomers and Gen Xers to Millennials and Gen Z work so well together? 

Well, anyone who has worked in an organization with a workforce that comprises different generations will tell you how things are not as smooth and simple as they seem at first glance. 

There’s a lot of effort that goes into managing a multigenerational team and delivering not just organizational success but also employee satisfaction, and the effort has to be continuous too.

These insights from HR experts and business leaders of the HR Spotlight community reveal the strategies and moves behind leading the workforce of the day. 

Read on!

Lydia Valberg
Co-President, Merchant Payment Services

Mentorship Programs for Mutual Learning

One challenge in managing a multigenerational workforce is ensuring everyone feels valued and included, especially when their roles and contributions might differ significantly. 

In our family-owned business, which has spanned over 35 years, we noticed that younger employees often bring innovative ideas while older ones hold invaluable institutional knowledge. 

To address this, I’ve implemented a mentorship program where experienced employees share insights with newer team members, fostering mutual learning and respect.

For instance, in managing ATM services, our younger team members introduced new software solutions that streamlined our operations; meanwhile, seasoned staff guided them through understanding the historical context of our business decisions, ensuring these innovations aligned with our core values. 

This approach not only improved efficiencies but also built a culture of collaboration where every generation’s strengths are recognized.

This strategy doesn’t just apply to our industry. Businesses can cultivate such dynamic environments by creating opportunities for intergenerational mentoring, which benefits both the company and its employees, boosting morale and innovation across the board. 

By fostering diverse interactions, you improve both employee engagement and retention, crucial for any business’s long-term success.

Julia Yurchak
Senior Recruitment Consultant, Keller Executive Search

Cross-Generational Knowledge Sharing Opportunities

At Keller Executive Search, we regularly see how communication differences can create challenges in today’s multigenerational workforce. 

For example, when we place executives, we notice that some senior leaders prefer formal emails and scheduled meetings, while younger team members often gravitate toward instant messaging and impromptu video calls. 

These varying communication styles can sometimes lead to disconnects and misunderstandings within teams.

We’ve found that one of the most effective ways to address this challenge is to create intentional opportunities for cross-generational knowledge sharing. 

We encourage our client organizations to implement structured mentorship programs that pair experienced executives with emerging leaders. 

This approach isn’t just about younger employees learning from veterans—it’s a two-way street. 

While seasoned professionals share their deep industry insights and leadership wisdom, younger team members often bring fresh perspectives on technology, social media, and evolving market trends.

Joshua Miller
Executive Leadership Coach, Joshua Miller Executive Coaching

Cross-Generational Mentoring

Over the past twenty years coaching executives and leading HR initiatives, I’ve observed that the biggest multigenerational workplace challenge isn’t about age – it’s about assumptions. 

Leaders often fall into the trap of applying generational stereotypes rather than recognizing individual work styles and motivations. 

One of the most effective strategies I’ve implemented is creating cross-generational mentoring programs where knowledge flows both ways: senior employees share institutional wisdom while younger team members offer fresh perspectives on technology and market trends. 

This bilateral approach breaks down stereotypes, builds mutual respect, and creates organic knowledge transfer. 

The key is framing these partnerships as learning opportunities rather than hierarchical relationships, which helps dissolve age-related barriers and creates genuine collaboration. 

What’s fascinating is how quickly generational labels fade when people are united around shared purpose and mutual learning.

Ronald Osborne
Founder, Ronald Osborne Business Coach

Leadership Styles to Bridge Generational Gaps

One of the biggest challenges in managing and engaging a multigenerational workforce is navigating differing communication styles and workplace expectations. 

For instance, younger employees, like Gen Z and Millennials, often prefer direct, digital communication and thrive in flexible, collaborative environments. In contrast, older generations, such as Baby Boomers, may value face-to-face interactions and a more structured approach to hierarchy. 

These differences can lead to misunderstandings, reduced collaboration, and disengagement if not properly managed.

In one of the companies I coached, a mid-sized technology firm with over 200 employees across three generations, I identified this challenge during their team performance reviews. 

Employees expressed frustration over misaligned expectations, particularly in communication and decision-making processes. 

Leveraging my years of business coaching experience and the insights gained from studying 675 entrepreneurs, I introduced a tailored communication framework. 

It involved cross-generational mentorship programs, where older employees shared industry knowledge while younger team members helped integrate more effective digital tools. I also implemented regular feedback loops to align on goals and expectations. 

Within six months, the company reported an increase in employee satisfaction scores and a significant improvement in interdepartmental collaboration. 

This experience reinforced the importance of adapting leadership styles to bridge generational gaps and foster a cohesive, productive team.

Justin McKelvey
Founder, SuperDupr

Hybrid Training Models for Diverse Learning Preferences

One challenge in managing a multigenerational workforce is accommodating diverse learning preferences. 

Different generations often have varying styles of learning and adapting to new technologies or processes. While older workers might prefer structured in-person training sessions, younger employees often opt for self-directed online resources.

At SuperDupr, we tackled this by creating a hybrid training model, offering both traditional workshops and digital courses. This flexibility ensures all team members receive training in a format that suits them, promoting faster skill acquisition and smoother project execution. 

For instance, our team built out a comprehensive library of training videos and quick-reference guides for our AI automation processes, which has increased our project efficiency by 15%.

Encouraging employees to share their expertise across generations has also proven effective. By pairing younger staff adept in cutting-edge digital tools with seasoned professionals who have deep industry insights, we’ve fostered a collaborative environment. 

This approach doesn’t just unify the team; it improves our service offerings and directly improves client satisfaction.

Ahmad Elzahdan
Co-Founder & CEO, Audo

AI-Driven Tools for Personalized Career Development

One challenge I’ve encountered in managing a multigenerational workforce is aligning their career development aspirations with company goals. 

Younger employees often seek rapid skill acquisition and career advancement, while older workers may focus more on stability and refining existing skills. 

To bridge this gap, we at Audo use AI-driven career development tools that tailor learning journeys according to individual aspirations. This personalization respects diverse career motivations while aligning employees’ growth with organizational objectives.

For instance, at Audo, we implement customized skill-building paths, blending AI insights with human-centered coaching. This approach has increased employee satisfaction across age groups, as everyone feels their professional growth is valued and supported. 

By focusing on personalized career coaching, I’ve seen a notable improvement in employee engagement and retention, fostering a more cohesive and collaborative team environment across generations.

Jason Plevell
Personal Coach, The Obstacle Remover

Communication Preference Surveys

One challenge in managing a multigenerational workforce is bridging the communication gap. 

Different generations communicate differently and have varied expectations. For example, older employees might prefer phone calls or in-person meetings, while younger workers lean towards emailing or messaging apps. This discrepancy can cause misunderstandings and inefficiency.

To address this challenge, I’ve found success in implementing a “communication preference survey” within my coaching practice. 

This helps identify how each team member prefers to communicate and receive information. Harmonizing these differences allows for smoother collaboration and increased productivity. Blending traditional methods with modern technology can meet all preferences and needs.

By understanding these generational differences through honest reflection and disciplined action, men undergoing professional transitions can foster a more cohesive and dynamic workplace. 

This approach has helped my clients steer career challenges, enhancing both organizational effectiveness and employee engagement.

The HR Spotlight team thanks these industry leaders for offering their expertise and experience and sharing their insights.

Do you wish to contribute to the next HR Spotlight article? Or is there an insight or idea you’d like to share with readers across the globe?

Write to us at connect@HRSpotlight.com, and our team will help you share your insights.

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HR Heroes: When HR Saves the Workplace

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HR Heroes: When HR Saves the Workplace

An HR team is best known for working behind the scenes, interacting with employees and management only when necessary, and even then, somehow managing to stay undercover.

Well, all that changes when the organization is up against a crisis and needs everything from a crisis manager to all-round navigator.

It is during these times that the true worth of an HR team comes to the fore, and this is when everyone from an employee to a CEO realizes just how relevant an HR team is to not just their success but also their stability.

We reached out to our business leaders and requested them to share with us any instances that woke them up to the heroes that HR truly are, and the stories we received in return does indeed cement the fact that these behind-the-scenes personnel are the ones who save the workplace when nothing else works!

Read on!

Trisha Zulic
HR Consultant, Efficient Edge

Encouraging Civil Conversations

During election week, the tone in the workplace shifted. 

Rather than avoiding sensitive topics, we introduced the concept of civil conversations – encouraging discussions to be conducted with dignity and respect. 

This initiative, driven by SHRM, proved to be valuable in addressing the silent challenges within the organization, fostering a more open and supportive environment.

Jake Linkowski
Change Management Consultant, Horizon Consulting

Streamlining Onboarding Process

During a period of rapid growth, our company faced challenges in onboarding new employees efficiently. 

The HR team streamlined the onboarding process, developed comprehensive training programs, and fostered a welcoming company culture. This proactive approach ensured a smooth transition for new hires, boosting their productivity and overall satisfaction. 

Additionally, HR’s emphasis on employee engagement initiatives led to increased morale and a stronger sense of belonging within the organization.

Mark Krajnik, LSSGB, CPC
Fractional Chief People Officer, Performance Mindset Associates

Contributing to AWS Growth

There are two sides to HR, Internal Affairs and People, Talent, and Culture. 

Internal Affairs tends to send fear and stress towards employees, as it is in place to protect the organization and deals in investigations, compliance, and regulatory issues. 

When I was on the global Executive Recruiting Team at AWS, prior to the massive layoffs in 2023, our HR team played a key role in the growth and success of the fastest growing division at Amazon. 

Our virtual international team served to deliver the top executives that led AWS around the globe. We met our diversity hiring goals in back-to-back years, engaged executive leadership to gain insights around continuous improvement, and created incredible employee engagement programs. 

The People, Talent, and Culture side of HR at AWS from 2021-2022 was the best-of-the-best, adding value to a growing organization.

Lynne Williams
Resumes & LinkedIn – Executive Director, Great Careers Network

Advocating for Inclusivity

As the currently self-employed mother of a neurodivergent AUDHD (autistic and ADHD) adult child and former K-12 special education teacher, I applaud the HR teams who are advocates of diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, accessibility, and justice (DEIBAJ) at my daughter’s current workplaces. 

The HR team is critical in fostering inclusivity by ensuring accommodations meet diverse employee needs. Creating an equitable workplace is essential, especially considering the significant time spent at work. 

By facilitating understanding and open communication, HR can help implement accommodations that enable individuals to perform at their best. They are instrumental in educating managers and staff on the importance of inclusivity and promoting a culture of empathy and collaboration. 

Through consistent monitoring and advocacy, HR can ensure that accommodations remain effective for individuals and are aligned with organizational goals because, as we know from research, diversity drives more innovation and market growth. Employees must know there are equitable opportunities and feel a sense of belonging.

Adam Zagha
Founder, Numa Recovery Centers

Performing in a High-Stress Environment

In the high-stress environment of addiction treatment, maintaining staff morale and retention is crucial. 

At Numa Behavioral Health, we faced a significant challenge during the pandemic, where HR interventions were essential. By prioritizing employee mental health through targeted training and support, we ensured our staff felt valued and equipped to navigate their own recovery journeys, which ultimately benefited our clients.

During a recent staffing crisis, effective HR strategies were pivotal. Our HR team developed flexible work policies that catered to employee well-being, addressing burnout and promoting a resilient workplace culture.

Our HR team has been instrumental in fostering an inclusive workplace that respects individuals from diverse backgrounds, particularly those in recovery. Implementing inclusive hiring practices not only supports our mission but also enriches our organizational culture, making it a safe space for all employees.

Drawing from my consulting background, I’ve seen how technological innovations in HR practices- such as 24/7 mental health resources- have transformed workplace support systems. These advancements are critical in the mental health sector, allowing us to provide continuous support for our employees and ensuring they have access to the resources they need.

As I often say, “A strong HR foundation is the bedrock of a thriving organization, especially in the mental health and addiction field.”

Reade Taylor
Technology Leader, Cyber Command

Responding to Unexpected Challenges

In a recent project at Cyber Command, we faced a cybersecurity threat from a third-party vendor, which underscored the vital role HR plays in our organization. 

The HR team swiftly coordinated with IT to organize immediate training sessions for staff, focusing on identifying potential threats and strengthening our internal protocols. This action not only mitigated the immediate risk but also built a stronger security mindset within the team.

From this experience, we recognized the significance of having a well-prepared HR department to respond to such unexpected challenges. 

Beyond hiring, HR has proved to be our frontline in fostering a proactive culture of awareness and training. This, in turn, improves our overall resilience to cybersecurity threats and ensures smooth operational continuity.

David Pumphrey
CEO, Riveraxe

Tackling Resistance to New Technology

In a recent project at Riveraxe LLC, we tackled a challenging EHR system implementation for a government healthcare provider. 

The strategic importance of HR became evident when our team faced resistance to the new technology from staff used to paper records. 

By engaging the HR team early, we designed a custom training program custom to different roles, which significantly improved acceptance and minimized disruptions.

This situation reminded me how critical communication and support from HR are in facilitating change management. They helped us identify tech-savvy employees who could act as internal champions, further smoothing the transition. 

For others implementing new tech, leveraging HR insights to customize training and foster internal advocacy can make all the difference.

Guillaume Drew
Founder, Or & Zon

Strategizing to Improve Interaction and Cooperation

A recent workforce challenge at Or & Zon truly underscored the strategic importance of our HR team. 

Amid the rapid scaling of our e-commerce platform, we faced a surge in cross-functional miscommunications between our design, supply chain, and customer service teams. Deadlines were slipping, and morale was dipping—a potential recipe for disaster in a fast-paced environment.

Our HR department acted as genuine strategists, conducting interdepartmental workshops to improve interaction and cooperation. They also came up with a solution to establish an anonymous feedback system for raising grievances. In a matter of weeks, however, the strain eased and productivity was restored. 

This experience made me remember that HR is not only about recruitment or provision of benefits, it’s about dealing with people and issues, and building the foundation for expansion. The contribution that they made for this case was significant.

The HR Spotlight team thanks these industry leaders for offering their expertise and experience and sharing their insights.

Do you wish to contribute to the next HR Spotlight article? Or is there an insight or idea you’d like to share with readers across the globe?

Write to us at connect@HRSpotlight.com, and our team will help you share your insights.

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The AI Reality Check: When Workplace Implementation Goes Wrong

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The AI Reality Check: When Workplace Implementation Goes Wrong

All those wonderful things you hear about AI make it seem like a magical wand that you only need to bring into your workplace to transform it completely.

Well, although there’s no denying the powerful effects of a well-implemented AI strategy, there are also quite a few challenges  that come along with it. Moreover, these hiccups sometimes give way to tragic outcomes too. 

We checked in with the HR Spotlight community of HR leaders and business experts so we could go behind the scenes and bring to you a narrative you won’t always find among the AI headlines of the day—narratives where AI goes the other way, resulting in negative consequences. 

Read on!

Ronald Osborne
Founder, Ronald Osborne Business Coach

Overlooks Qualified Candidates

A company I worked with in the UAE had implemented an AI-driven hiring tool to streamline recruitment. The system used algorithms to filter candidates based on their resumes and preset criteria. 

Initially, it seemed like a fantastic time saver but over time, the company noticed a troubling trend. 

Highly qualified candidates were being overlooked, and there was an apparent lack of diversity in the new hires. Upon investigation, it became clear the AI system had been trained on historical hiring data that carried implicit biases, causing the tool to favor specific profiles while filtering out others unfairly. 

This led to a skills gap in critical areas and tension within the HR team as they struggled to understand the discrepancies.

With my background in recruitment optimization and operational efficiency, I was brought in to address the issue. 

Drawing on years of experience, I helped the company audit the AI system and retrain its algorithm with a more inclusive dataset. We implemented a dual-layered approach where human oversight complemented AI recommendations to ensure fairness. 

Additionally, I coached their HR leaders on how to create unbiased hiring practices and monitor AI systems for unintended consequences. Within six months, the company saw a significant improvement in candidate quality and diversity while retaining the efficiency benefits of AI. 

This experience underscores the importance of balancing technology with human judgment, something I always emphasize in my coaching practices.

Victor Santoro
Founder & CEO, Profit Leap

Lowering Employee Morale

During my career, I’ve seen AI bring remarkable advances, but also some unintended issues, particularly in HR functions. 

At a diagnostic imaging company I helped expand, we considered using AI for employee assessment. However, a similar AI tool used elsewhere in the industry unintentionally reduced employee morale. 

By focusing too much on performance metrics extracted from work patterns, it failed to account for individual contributions that weren’t easily quantified, such as team collaboration and creativity. 

This experience underscores the need for caution. AI can inadvertently neglect the human touch and nuanced judgment that are crucial in HR. Implementing AI requires more than just algorithmic precision; it needs a balanced approach that combines technology with human insights. 

Ensuring constant oversight and human involvement helps preserve morale and align AI tools with broader company values.

Jeff Michael
Ecommerce Business Owner, Supplement Warehouse

Favors Keywords, Reduces Diversity

Being a small supplement and vitamin company with limited resources, we implemented an AI-driven recruitment tool to streamline the hiring process. 

While it significantly reduced the time spent screening resumes, we noticed an unintended negative consequence: the AI’s algorithm unintentionally favored candidates with specific keywords, leading to a lack of diversity in the shortlisted applicants.

As a solution to this problem, we started doing regular audits of the AI’s selection criteria and combined its insights with manual review by HR staff. 

This hybrid approach helped us maintain efficiency while ensuring we didn’t miss out on talented candidates due to algorithmic bias.

Justin McKelvey
Founder, SuperDupr

Creates Scheduling Conflicts

As the CEO of SuperDupr, I’ve seen AI’s potential to revolutionize various business functions, but it’s crucial to approach it with caution. 

In our work changing businesses, we encountered an AI tool designed to automate routine HR tasks, such as sorting emails and managing candidate workflows. 

However, the tool inadvertently created scheduling conflicts, impacting interview processes and frustrating both candidates and HR staff. 

Implementing AI in such critical areas requires careful oversight. 

At SuperDupr, we’ve learned that frequent testing and a strategic plan to integrate human oversight are vital. Providing team training to co-manage AI with human intuition can often prevent disruptions. 

We’ve found that a balance between AI efficiency and human ethics is key to fairly enhancing HR operations.

Azam Mohamed Nisamdeen
Founder, Convert Chat

Shows Bias in Recruitment

In the HR sector, AI has been used to streamline recruitment, but there have been instances where it created more problems than it solved. 

For example, some companies implemented AI-powered recruitment tools to screen resumes, only to discover that the algorithm unintentionally exhibited bias. One well-known case involved an AI system favoring male candidates because it had been trained on historical data skewed toward male hires.

As a chatbot owner, I’ve learned that data quality and transparency are critical when implementing AI. 

The bias in the AI tool wasn’t intentional, but it reflected the biases present in the training data. 

This highlights the importance of auditing datasets and ensuring that the AI systems align with company values and fairness goals. HR teams must work closely with data scientists to avoid these pitfalls.

The takeaway is that AI systems are only as good as the data they are fed. Companies need to remain vigilant and regularly test their AI implementations for unintended outcomes. 

In HR, the focus should not only be on efficiency but also on maintaining equity and inclusivity throughout the hiring process.

Dan Brown
CEO & Founder, Textun

Rejects Freelance Applications

We decided to try to use AI to filter applications a little while ago. 

However, we noticed that a large number of applications were being rejected and only a few were filtering through. 

After adjusting, we noticed that the AI was eliminating those with freelance experience-but as a content agency, most of our collaborators are freelance. This was relatively minor and we wound up adjusting the AI and feeding the resumes through again. 

However, I don’t know what would have happened had the rejection rate been just low enough that we didn’t notice anything wrong.

Alexander Anastasin
CEO and Co-Founder, Yung Sidekick

Cultural Bias in Performance Evaluation

We integrated AI to evaluate employee performance, aiming for objectivity and efficiency. The AI used communication style, task completion patterns, and language usage as metrics. 

However, it inadvertently penalized employees from non-native English-speaking backgrounds and introverted individuals who preferred concise responses over elaborate ones.

This created friction within the team as those affected felt unfairly labeled as underperformers. It also overlooked high performers in roles where communication wasn’t critical. 

The company faced backlash, leading to the suspension of the AI tool and temporary reinstatement of manual reviews.

The takeaway is that AI often amplifies cultural and contextual gaps if it isn’t trained with diverse datasets and clear ethical guidelines. 

Before implementation, it’s crucial to assess how metrics might disadvantage subsets of employees and include cross-functional reviews to mitigate biases. Otherwise, you risk damaging morale and trust in workplace technology.

The HR Spotlight team thanks these industry leaders for offering their expertise and experience and sharing their insights.

Do you wish to contribute to the next HR Spotlight article? Or is there an insight or idea you’d like to share with readers across the globe?

Write to us at connect@HRSpotlight.com, and our team will help you share your insights.

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