Littler’s tenth annual survey was completed by nearly 1,300 in-house lawyers, C-suite executives and HR professionals, providing a window into how U.S. employers are managing emerging complex issues and where their principal concerns lie. The survey finds employers somewhat divided on whether to mandate vaccination for employees, but more aligned on plans for going back to the office and offering flexible workplace models.
It also reveals several other areas where “employers are adapting to changes accelerated by the pandemic and today’s talent market, including expanded paid leave policies and employee benefits offerings; the advancement of inclusion, equity and diversity plans; and the use of artificial intelligence in HR.”
No one said adjusting to the “new normal” would be easy. That sentiment is hitting home for employers as workers increasingly return to offices in the midst of a historically tight labor market and after more than two years of a global pandemic. Issues and initiatives that have consumed the corporate world’s attention – from vaccine policies to hybrid work models to evolving regulations and emerging technologies – are now entering a pivotal phase, posing new challenges and opportunities alike.
The effects of leadership decisions and regulations will only intensify as workers begin the anticipated return to the office and employee dynamics will take shape. And with 70% of respondents reporting they had already instituted a formal return-to-office plan, it only makes sense to expect updated policies to follow.
Source: Littler
The data reveals several other areas where employers are adapting to changes highlighted by the pandemic and today’s scarce talent market, including flexible and expanded benefits; the advancement of inclusion, equity and diversity (IE&D) plans and goals; and the increasing use of AI and other technologies in recruiting efforts.
