Hot Topics for Human Resources

Keeping abreast of current events can enhance human resources efficiency.

While hot topics are constantly changing, certain issues seem to be constant concerns for human resources departments. By encouraging your human resources team to keep abreast of trends within the field, you'll help to ensure that your company is not trailing behind when it comes to current events and discussions. Spend time with your human resources team to find out what's new in the field.

Conflicts

Conflict resolution is always going to be a hot topic for human resources. No matter what kind of workplace environment in business you've fostered, if there are people involved, there is the chance for conflicts to arise. There will always be an opportunity to talk to your human resources team about any new information or mediation tactics you might have come across.

Privacy

With the constantly evolving rules regarding what questions can and can't be asked when interviewing new job applicants, this is one issue that will not be resolved any time soon. Even major corporations can inadvertently cause problems when laws change and the interview questions don't change with the times. In addition, it's important that your human resources team knows the current laws regarding individual rights in the area of privacy.

Discrimination

When a recession hits, businesses are forced to lay off employees. As the business environment thaws and the economy begins to pick up, companies begin to start hiring again. There has been a growing awareness of a form of discrimination known as age discrimination. When older workers are laid off, they are less likely to find a job, which means that your human resources department should be set up to handle such things as retraining and possibly even job placement. At the same time, however, all forms of discrimination should be addressed and discussed on a regular basis.

Technology

Technology is always going to be a hot topic when it comes to human resources. As technology evolves and changes, the way it impacts the workforce changes, as well. One example of this can be seen with social media. There will always be discussion over what can and cannot be shared by employees through social media. For example, at what point does an employee cross the line when criticizing a company through social media?

Violence

Violence in the workplace increases when the economy is suffering, some security experts believe. By working with your human resources team, you'll be able to implement programs designed to identify problems before they occur, as well as put in place measures to protect yourself and your employees if violence does break out.

References

• HRM Today: Top Tips for Kicking Conflict into the Long Grass; Clive Johnson, et al., January 2011
• San Fernando Valley Business Journal: Starbucks Glad Marijuana Claim Went Up in Smoke; Richard Rosenberg, January 2011
• TLNT: What Discrimination Looks Like in 2011: It's Older and Unemployed; John Hollon, January 2011
• Bloomberg: Goldman Employees Blocked from Facebook Said to Get Tutorial; Max Abelson, January 2011
• The Modesto Bee: WorkWise: Teaming to Forestall Homicidal Violence; Mildred L. Culp, January 2011