Blog Post: What Happens to HR After this Recession?

Recent signs show the economy is starting to bounce back.  Unemployment claims are down.  The job outlook seems better.  Housing numbers are improving.  The stock markets are pointed upward.  These are all good things!  We’ll all embrace change in this circumstance but let’s face it.  Once the economy bounces back there will be added pressures in the workplace. 

The first thing that jumps out at me is that we’ll experience a flurry of turnover.  Unhappy employees have recently chosen to stay with their current employers.  It’s better to be working than be at home looking for a new job.  Confidence in the employment market will increase and soon the unhappy employees will start to seek jobs elsewhere.  This means you’ll lose people but on the flip side, you’ll be able to attract people leaving other companies.  In the end it will be a wash but a lot more hours spent recruiting.

Start increasing internal communication now.  Find out who’s happy and who isn’t.  Take the organization’s pulse so to speak.  Knowing is half the battle.  Perhaps you will uncover ways to make people happier and increase the likelihood of them staying.  This creates stability and helps the company move forward quickly when things really pick up.

Investigate training and education programs for your employees.  This will show your commitment to them while increasing their engagement.  They’ll feel a level of pride in being selected and given the opportunity to learn and grow.  Longer term programs can also lock in employees.  Who wants to leave a company when they’re paying for them to increase their skills?  Once again, this will create stability.  In addition you’re creating a stronger, more knowledgeable employment base.

Many organizations have a lot of similar employees…manufacturing, hospitals, call centers, restaurants and sales offices are a few examples.  In these cases you should start attracting candidates now.  Don’t put on the full court press but run a few ads, do some resume searching and start going to networking events.  Build up your (potential) applicant pool early.  Position yourself with the expectation that you’ll have several jobs to fill. 

Be prepared to receive pay increase requests.  Employees are afraid to ask for a raise or bonuses during the recession.  Once things bounce back, these requests will definitely increase.  Each employer will vary on their ability to increase salaries.  Have those conversations internally right now with managers and executives.  Make a game plan and you’ll know what to do when the time comes.